Here's an interesting editorial from someone currently working in the Dept of Justice here in the US:

http://www.denverpost.com/opinionheadlines/ci_6308408

Here's a quote (emphasis mine):

"In the course of its tenure since the Sept. 11 attacks, the Bush administration has turned the entire government (and the DOJ in particular) into a veritable Augean stable on issues such as civil rights, civil liberties, international law and basic human rights, as well as criminal prosecution and federal employment and contracting practices. It has systematically undermined the rule of law in the name of fighting terrorism, and it has sought to insulate its actions from legislative or judicial scrutiny and accountability by invoking national security at every turn, engaging in persistent fearmongering, routinely impugning the integrity and/or patriotism of its critics, and protecting its own lawbreakers. This is neither normal government conduct nor "politics as usual," but a national disgrace of a magnitude unseen since the days of Watergate - which, in fact, I believe it eclipses.


>>Hi Alan,
>>
>>I meant merit in regards to an argument for President Bush's commute of his sentence, but thanks for your views!
>
>Wow! Talk about a misreading. I need my comprehension checked.
>
>>
>>
>>>>Merit? What merit? I don't see any...
>>>
>>>How about, the man was convicted of lying and obstruction of justice. Is that not worth some jail time?
>>>
>>>>Was the sentence comparable to other similar crimes and sentences? Was the commute? Did he
>>>
>>>The sentence didn't seem out of line for those particular offenses. The Commute? Well if he hadn't been Scooter Libby, I doubt we'd be having this discussion. Based on Bush's commute and pardon record, there would have been no commute.
>>>
>>>>receive too much punishment based on the average sentence? Did his actions justify more severe punishment? The problem is that for every argument on this one, there is a counter argument. Frankly, I don't see it worth spending a large amount of time on just as I did not spend a large amount of time on the previous administration's comutes and pardons. It is concerning and adds to the concerns I have about the current administration.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>There were plenty of comments, from all sides, when Clinton issued those pardons. It was IMO the worst act of his presidency. But it has zero to do with the commutation of Libby's sentence. Why is no one discussing that on its own merits? Gosh, I can't imagine.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>I don't remember any comments on Clinton's final day in office when he pardoned 140 criminals. Many of those were drug dealers (and relatives). But then, maybe I missed your posts then...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I don't think the "just politics" line is going to fly, even though it's clearly the spin they're trying to put on it. The pardon is outrageous. And yes, I would say the same thing if it had happened in the Clinton administration.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>There was a good analysis of it on the Today show. It's mostly partisan politics. Hillary jumped all over Bush for it and the Republicans have said she should shutup as she turned a blind eye to what went on when Bill was in the White House. Bush's polling numbers are so low that the only people he has to keep happy are his core constiuents, so he commuted the sentence to keep them happy.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Bush has commuted Scooter Libbey's sentence.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Bush said "I respect the jury's verdict. But I have concluded that the
>>>>>>>>>prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am
>>>>>>>>>commuting the portion of Mr. Libby's sentence that required him to
>>>>>>>>>spend thirty months in prison."
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Huh? You respect the verdict, yet commute it??
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>and he also said
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>"My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh
>>>>>>>>>punishment for Mr. Libby"
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>a $250K fine is pocket change to these people.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>This is a complete betrayal of the American people . . . But then that is
>>>>>>>>>nothing new to Bush.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>This is the guy who was going to bring integrity back to the White House and
>>>>>>>>>also the guy who said "if anyone in my admin was involved the Valerie Plame
>>>>>>>>>leak they will be fired." Can you say hypocrit?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>And the republicans impeached Clinton. Go figure.