I called Chris Shay's office in Washington today. I asked the person who answered the phone if the congressman had a position on the the commutation of Libby's sentence.
I also told them that if ANYONE would stand up to the republican corruption machine in Washington I would expect it to be congressman Shays. (OK I had to cross my fingers when I said that).
I told them that as my representative in Washington I need to know where he stands on this.
The aide completely agreed but said that the congressman hadn't said anything yet. He took my name and address and said the congressman would send out a letter. I guess that is in addition to forwarding my name to the NSA (only kidding NSA guy who is reading this).
I'm not holding my breath, but its about damn time Shays felt some heat. That is THE only way anything will change given our current congressional math.
"By commuting Scooter Libby's sentence, the President continues to abdicate responsibility for the actions of his Administration. The only ones paying the price for this Administration's actions are the American people."
Joe's 'progress'-ive behavior
Lieberman presented himself as a moderate during his re-election bid and won. He claimed he wanted to end the war and said we were making "progress."
That however was last year, well before the "surge" became our new foreign policy. Then he said it again last week, that we are finally making "progress."
What happened to last year's progress?
What was not commonly known during the election was that the major contributors of his campaign are the same people who organized and funded the Scooter Libby Defense Fund. Lieberman then appeared uninvited at a Senate hearing to speak on behalf of Sam Fox for ambassador. Fox is a major Republican donor who gave $50,000 to the Swift Boat disinformation campaign against Lieberman's then-fellow Democrat and friend, John Kerry.
Shortly after that Lieberman voted with President Bush against a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. And just last week he accused the Democrats of harassing the president and endorsed Susan Collins, Republican senator from Maine, for re-election. His PAC even gave her $5,000.
I know why most Republicans voted for Lieberman. Although they will protest otherwise - claiming bipartisanship and other high moral reasons - it was just an opportunity to poke the Democratic Party in the eye.
I would like to ask the moderate Democrats and Independents who voted for Joe Lieberman: Do you feel foolish yet? Well, if you do, at least now you are paying attention.
Peter Hargett
Meriden
Firedoglake, Jane Hamsher's blog, is getting overwhelming praise today, both from within the blogosphere and the traditional media for their work on the Scooter Libby trial and for the years leading up to today. Glenn Greenwald had this to say last month:
It is virtually impossible to closely follow the Libby trial without relying upon the work of the blogging team assembled by Jane Hamsher and FireDogLake. Hamsher built FDL by becoming (along with her blogging partner, former prosecutor Christy Hardin Smith) literally one of the country's leading experts on the Plame scandal, long providing some of the most insightful analysis, and even breaking stories, on her blog.
While Jeff Jarvis at Buzz Machine noted the new dynamic. As did James Gordon Meeks (NY Daily News) on C-Span in the first clip I upped for Jane. The second clip is from today on Fox News where James Boyce (Democratic Strategist and Huffington Post contributor) squares off with Rich Lowery (The National Review) in typical Fox News fashion.
Marcy Wheeler's report from the trial today is the third clip. Anyone wanting a comprehensive look into this case ought to read her Anatomy of Deceit.
(Judge) Reggie is going through each juror asking their verdict.
No reaction within the court room.
More from Marcy:
Pre-sentence investigation will be conductded. Report due May 15. Mr Libby will need to make arrangements with probation department. Will give counsel until May 25 dispute with probation.
Wells makes a formal motion to have appeal period extended.
Libby is sitting back from the table. ABSOLUTELY no reaction.
Aldon took off to DC last night on the 1 AM train from Stamford. I packed him enough clothing for three days, thinking that would be enough. However, one juror has been dismissed this AM for inappropriate contact with the outside world, and they are concerned about some others. Aldon's blog has gone down once today due to heavy traffic - but he's got it back up with several posts this morning already. Looks to be an exciting conclusion - you can check out Aldon's coverage here:
www.orient-lodge.com
He'll also be writing for www.greaterdemocracy.org
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