[Marxism] Dog bites man

[Louis Proyect]

Bush spares Libby from prison term
President leaves fine, probation intact for convicted ex-White House aide

BREAKING NEWS

The Associated Press
Updated: 5:56 p.m. ET July 2, 2007

WASHINGTON - President Bush commuted the sentence of former aide I. 
Lewis "Scooter" Libby Monday, sparing him from a 2 1/2-year prison term 
in the CIA leak case.

Bush left intact a $250,000 fine and two years probation for Libby, 
according to a senior White House official, who spoke on condition of 
anonymity because the decision had not been announced.

"My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh 
punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of 
public service and professional work in the legal community is forever 
damaged," Bush said in a statement. "I respect the jury's verdict. But I 
have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive."

Bush's move came hours after a federal appeals panel ruled Libby could 
not delay his prison term in the CIA leak case. That decision put the 
pressure on the president, who had been sidestepping calls by Libby's 
allies to pardon the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.

Libby was convicted in March of lying to authorities and obstructing the 
investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative's identity. He was the 
highest-ranking White House official ordered to prison since the 
Iran-Contra affair.

This breaking news story will be updated.