The
Scooter Libby commutation, which most people acknowledge was going to happen at some point, is an obvious payoff: Keep quiet and we'll cover you. Republican presidential candidates were quick to praise and Democrats quick to pan. But there's more to it. When George W. Bush was governor of Texas he was proud of his record of not pardoning and sending more people than ever to the chair. Even in the case of Karla Fay Tucker, Bush didn't waver. But he said it was a
tough decision Mr. Bush described feeling "like a huge piece of concrete was crushing me" as he waited with aides for Ms. Tucker's execution. It was, he said, "the longest 20 minutes of my tenure as governor."
Really? According to conservative pundit Tucker Carlson who
interviewed Bush in 1999
In the weeks before the execution, Bush says, Bianca Jagger and a number of protesters came to Austin to demand clemency for Karla Faye Tucker. "Did you meet with any of them?" I ask. Bush whips around and stares at me. "No, I didn't meet with any of them", he snaps, as though I've just asked the dumbest, most offensive question ever posed. "I didn't meet with Larry King either when he came down for it. I watched his interview with Tucker, though. He asked her real difficult questions like, 'What would you say to Governor Bush?'" "What was her answer?" I wonder. "'Please,'" Bush whimpers, his lips pursed in mock desperation, "'don't kill me.'" I must look shocked - ridiculing the pleas of a condemned prisoner who has since been executed seems odd and cruel - because he immediately stops smirking.
Hypocrite. It's what he is. Time and time again he has shown disdain and mocks the American people. He is the president of the rich and powerful but he is not the president of the United States. For those who want to trot out the Clinton pardons. The Rich pardon was wrong. Wrong then, wrong now. This is wrong and it involves betrayal of the country, that 's what Lewis and the whole gang did. This is about Bush and his never ending hypocrisy. I don't think the country wants another Bush or Clinton. It's one more reason the country wants change and is ready for a Democrat of standing to lead. I'm still undecided but I know we need a change.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. I agree we need a change, but i must disagree with you, i think we do need Hillary to be president. I my eyes, Obama is too inexperienced to lead the nation at this time, edwards is really starting to come off to me as too far left for my liking. & i surely don't want another republican in office.
Clinton was wrong for his pardons, but he didn't do them as a part of a cover-up and as pointed out he wasn't a hypocrite. I don't see what people hate so much about hillary. she has the experience, the knowledge, the will, and most of all, the interest of the american people.
Patrick at 8:05PM on Jul 8th 2007
2. Scooter was loyal to his boss, which is usually a good quality. If the dems want to go after Bush/Cheney, they'll have to find a different path.
Steve Bonomo at 9:54PM on Jul 8th 2007
3. ^there are so many paths to go down, so trust me if we want to, we can
Patrick at 9:59PM on Jul 8th 2007
4. Hilary doesn't have experience in leadership. She has experience in casting votes. In the Senate, you're one of a hundred. As President, you're alone. Few people can handle that. Can Hilary? I doubt it, but I'm at a loss to who can.
David MacKenzie at 11:03PM on Jul 8th 2007
5. Hillary has exhibited great leadership in the past. She led the nation on healthcare reform and opened talks about healthcare. She led the way by proposing a detailed Iraq plan on her website months ago, when others were just vaguely saying, "i'll get the troops home". She just recently has announced that her entire campaign is carbon-neutral, again leading the country on environmental change. Ok, here is another little known fact about Hillary: when congress recently wanting to guve them selves a payraise, Hillary introduced legislatation to only raise congress's salalry, if the minium wage is raised simalarly. She authorized legislation to protect us against bioterrorism. She is a strong leader in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. She has been arguably the strongest advocate for both women and children in the Senate. She is the senator who introduced the Count every vote act, therefore protecting our vote and securing our voting system. The list is endless, i didn't even include her work as First Lady of Arkansas. She has the leadership, of that i am sure. There is a difference is just casting votes in the senate, and being one who introduces the legislation of which that vote takes place.
And another thing i don't understand, why do republicans clearly hate Hillary more than Obama and Edwards. Hillary is much more centrist on the issue than both Obama & Edwards.
Patrick at 11:49PM on Jul 8th 2007
6. it's another clinton for 08'. you can believe it! who better do clean up after a bush mess then a clinton? who came from being "top of the world" to being the "bottom of the todempole". yes, madeline albright to condeleeza rice....surplus to deficit...liked to most hated...cheap gas to highest ever recorded....livable wage jobs to most jobs being outsourced....civil liberties to homeland securities...need i go on? what has bush done for America that is so great?....BANKRUPTED IT! it is what he does best.
GO HILLARY!
iamchavira at 11:58AM on Jul 9th 2007
7. I will be an independent from now on . I do not trust the Clintons with anything -especially our country. They are corrupt to the core and Bill is the biggest liar. I can still see his finger pointing out of the TV screen saying '' I never had sex with that woman.'' Yeah Right !
Kathie Roberts at 1:12PM on Jul 15th 2007
8. The difference here is that Karla Faye Tucker was repentant and Scooter Libby is not. Karla asked for forgiveness. We know from watching the Shrub that he only truly values people who are unrepentant.
Bubba S. at 3:55AM on Jul 12th 2007
9. I guess YOU'D rather have the honesty of this administration who can't tell the truth if their lives depended on it. YOU'D rather hold a personal indescretion against a dynamic person than see the truth of what this administration is doing to this country. It is people like you who are responsible for the demise of this country because you chose to stick your heads in the sand and let them get away with stealing another election or worst yet- you voted for them!!!!!
kb6771 at 1:25AM on Jul 21st 2007
10. Is there a male candidate who has not divorced a first wife as most seem to have wives much younger than themselves? If possible i think its time for some good moral values if that can be found among the candidates running....of course we know about Bill and Hillary and question her self respect...and feel her ambitions politically are still the most important in her life....after all Bill was a serious womanizer adulterer while married, Wheres the honesty. I think Hulk Hogan is probably a more honest decent man and would make a great President!! How about it....why don't more good people run...remember all our past presidnets weren't all politicians or attorneys....like Abe Lincoln, Eisenhower, or even Harry S Truman....I personally don't think too much of any on either side running unless it changes....and i am not alone in my thinking either!! from the great state of Tennessee...
Norma Jean at 6:54PM on Jul 25th 2007
11. Insurace coverage does not cure a disease or stop pain.The drugs that American drug companies invent
saves million of lives.It sure saved mine.
Who invented the drugs that stopped the death sentence of aids?We have the best health care system
in the world.
The American drug industry just came out with a vaccine that will prevent70%of cervical cancers.
Drug to protect against spinal meningitis was just approved.
Everone has to be treated in an emergency ward,even
illegal aliens.Almost every child is covered by the chip program,even dental expenses.
In Canada operating rooms are in use 24 hours a day because there is such a backlog.
Hillary clinton the commie in a pants suit will destroy the health care system.
Edward katz at 11:54PM on Aug 7th 2007
12. The biggest Hipocrites of the day are the progressive, for the people, big gov. Democrats who need to relist themselves on the political ticket as Socialists and Communists. All democrats do is opinionate, slander, degradate, accuse, and bash anyone who disagrees with them. Karl Marx would be proud.
Democrat politicians always quote out of contex, bribe the poor, defend the guilty, warn the enemy, finance enviromental terrorism, spit on religion, smart-grow a quiet town into overcrowded dog house sized condos, tax the crap out of anyone getting the american dream right, celebrate Anti-American morality, spew negativity in our news outlets, and unaccount for times, places, money, and intention in their own sorry a&& lives.
Republican is NOT a dirty word anymore. Most Americans ARE conservative. Most Americans ARE morally and spiritually bound. If you want to live in the U.S.S.A. then keep voting democrat.
And as for Governor Bush and his fast track electric chair, cudos Dude. While your at it, round up a few newspaper editors, hate-induced flag burners, how-to-kill-the-president book writers and computer bloggers and SHOOT them for treason.
scott at 11:45PM on Aug 9th 2007