Libby is a modern dat Benedict Arnold
by Pete Cunningham
*As printed July 11, 2007 in The Homer Index

I usually try to keep the “street” in Word on the Street as far away from Pennsylvania Avenue as possible. As divisive as national politics are, I find it to be in my best interests to not scare off half of my audience each week. I, however, cannot go on calling myself an American if I allow the atrocities demonstrated in Washington this week to go uncriticized.

The atrocious act to which I refer is the commuted sentence handed down to top White House aide Scooter Libby. Libby had previously been convicted of perjury by a federal grand jury and sentenced to a minimum 30 months in jail by a federal judge. In the case, it was determined that Libby had lied to a grand jury, assisted in obstruction of justice and, worst of all, released classified information leading to the outing of undercover C.I.A. operative Valerie Plame. For these offenses Libby will now serve no prison time.

As per a federal judge’s order, Libby was (key word: was) to serve 30 months in jail for his treasonous offenses. His sentence is nothing compared to the suffering that Plame’s family would have endured had the wrong people at the wrong time found out who she really was. At least the conviction gave the American people some small glimpse of hope that the justice system applies even to the rich and powerful. This despite what we may have learned in previous weeks with the Paris Hilton fiasco.

That hope was quickly squandered as President Bush decided to erase the jail sentence and fine Libby a mere $250,000. Chump change to Libby who runs in circles with people such as the president and Vice President Cheney, whose combined net worth was reported by Forbes magazine at a mere $65 million combined.

The president justified his decision by stating Libby “was a first-time offender with years of exceptional public service and was handed a harsh sentence.”

Benedict Arnold was a first-time offender when he tried to hand over West Point to the British in 1780. Many scholars contend that Arnold’s contributions, previous to his treason, were unmatched by any of the other generals in the Revolutionary War, including George Washington. The house that bears his name in England, to this very day is adorned with a plaque that reads “American Patriot.” Should he have been given a free pass because of his years of exceptional service in the Revolutionary Army? Should his attempts to sabotage our independence been ignored because of his record of exceptional public service?

Lee Harvey Oswald served in the United States Marine Corps before he shot and killed President John F. Kennedy. Perhaps his services as a soldier should have vindicated his later actions against the president and our nation as a whole?

What about Plame’s contribution to America? She was in fact an undercover C.I.A. operative. Exactly what her job entails is a mystery to us Americans. Our fascination and admiration with this mystery has made Tom Clancy a permanent fixture on the best seller list. What is for certain is that for her and hundreds of Americans who put themselves in harm’s way each day, their safety depends on secrecy and loyalty.

For taking any part in her exposure and sacrificing the integrity of all operations in which she has taken part, Libby should be exiled. He had his chance as an American, and he blew it. He should have to trade his citizenship with someone waiting to come in who might appreciate it a little more.

Better yet, I propose we send Scooter Libby to every place of work Valerie Plame has ever been and make him introduce himself as President Bush’s close personal aide. Let’s see how long his record of “exceptional public service” will help him out then.

As for our president, Illinois senator Dick Durbin commented that “Even Paris Hilton had to go to jail,” and later suggested that no one in the current administration should be above the law. It is a sad day in America when Paris Hilton’s behavior is the higher standard which we wish our president and his cronies could achieve.

I don’t know what else to add except that I am exhausted by this situation and the deep sense of shame it has brought me. This is a shame I have never experienced before; today I am ashamed to say I am American. Shame on you Mr. Libby for making Mrs. Plame and her family suffer in ways unimaginable, and shame on you Mr. Bush for exceeding that mark tenfold. Both of these men are guilty of a more egregious offense than any of the previously mentioned criminals. They have brought shame to their people.