Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The President is Daring You to Impeach Him
()
In a move only baffling if you thought that President Bush and his administration had hit rock bottom, today the President gave Scooter Libby a get out of jail free card on his convictions of obstruction of justice and perjury.
But it's deeper than all of that. Scooter Libby was convicted on a National Security charge prosecuted by a Republican prosecutor and sentenced by a Republican judge. Libby was helping to cover up the fact that Bush and Cheney tried to punish Joe Wilson for writing an op-ed in the NY Times saying that Saddam wasn't getting materials for WMDs from Africa - which was one of the claims the administration was trying to use to convince Americans and the world to invade Iraq.
BushCo lied about the reasons to attack Iraq in the wake of 9/11, and Libby lied about what he knew about the Vice President trying to discredit a former US Ambassador to Iraq by outting his CIA agent wife through leaks to the press.
Support for LAist comes from
Leaking the names of CIA agents during a time of war is compromising National Security, and in most people's minds it's tantamount to treason. Covering up such things is definitely worthy of a jail sentence since we've foolishly stopped hanging people for similar offenses.
But the reason that BushCo is able to keep the highest-ranking government official sentenced to prison since the Iran-Contra affair out of prison is because Bush + Cheney + Rove know that the American people and the US Congress WONT DO SHIT ABOUT IT.
Yes, we are all part of this problem.
The best thing about Michael Moore's new movie SiCKO is when he explains that in France the government is afraid of the people, not the other way around. So instead of bitching in the comments "f you Tony how dare you blame me for not keeping my elected officials in check", how about bitching in an email to your public servants that you want them to get rid of this cancer? Or better yet, get on the horn and call the White House - or even better contribute to Obama or Ron Paul.
If each time BushCo wipes their asses with the Constitution (or in this case the spirit of the law), we contribute to the black guy or the guy who wants to get rid of income taxes then evil will begin to start funding good instead of evil. But it starts with you.
()
Soon you will hear politicians on both sides of the aisle stand up and pretend that they're outraged at what the President did today.
Support for LAist comes from
But here's the deal - the Right can talk all day, and all week, if they want about how they disagree with the President on this. But talk is cheap. Libby was found guilty by a jury of his peers on four counts of perjury and obstruction. Joe Wilson is on tv right now reminding people that Bush was asked to commute the death penalty on a female inmate when he was Gov of Texas, and even the Pope asked him to spare her life and commute her sentence, but Bush didn't do it. He allowed the execution to go down.
If Republicans really want to send a message that this sort of politically-based behavior is bullshit and not representative of the GOP - which has lost a long list of members due to scandal - then they need to step aside as the Dems impeach this son of a bitch.
Personally, I don't care what he is impeached for. Let's start with lying about wmds, feel free to consider domestic spying, take a nice look at the secret prisons and torture. Anything that the GOP wants to distance from their party in regard to what they enabled during the Bush years they should impeach him on.
Otherwise anything they say today or this week is bullshit.
Likewise Americans need to learn from our cheese-eating friends. We have to get off our asses.
I'm not suggesting that anyone incite a riot, if that's even possible. And we in LA know that the last riot we had here was also incited by bullshit that happened in the wake of a trial.
But I am suggesting that you make some noise. Call your representative, write on your blog, email the president. And make your voice clear and strong: The President has continued to abuse his powers in the name of partisan politics and cover ups, and we're not the lawyers - you are - but we're here to call bullshit, and if you want to call bullshit too then Impeach this jackhole now.
Support for LAist comes from
Do not accept the shallow words of your elected officials, demand action. Otherwise continue to have your rights stripped from you as Right Wing rich white men continue to act lawlessly.
Presidential Candidates on the President's actions today
I am very happy for Scooter Libby. I know that this is a great relief to him, his wife and children. While for a long time I have urged a pardon for Scooter, I respect the President's decision. This will allow a good American, who has done a lot for his country, to resume his life.
"This decision to commute the sentence of a man who compromised our national security cements the legacy of an Administration characterized by a politics of cynicism and division, one that has consistently placed itself and its ideology above the law. This is exactly the kind of politics we must change so we can begin restoring the American people's faith in a government that puts the country's progress ahead of the bitter partisanship of recent years."
Support for LAist comes from
No one is above the law. Call the President.
Top photo via JoeBiden.com, AP photo by Lawrence Jackson
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist