Freyne Land

*Updated Tuesday a.m. with gubernatorial response*

As you know, President George "WMD" Bush, the most dishonest, dangerous and damaging president of my lifetime, has quietly handed a "Get Out of Jail Free" card to a loyal political operative. Late this afternoon, our Presidential Liar in Chief commuted the 30-month federal prison sentence of his loyal servant Scooter Libby. He did so before Libby, a convicted felon, served one nanosecond behind bars.

Libby was Vice President Dick "Halliburton" Cheney's top aide, known to insiders as "Dick Cheney's Dick Cheney."

He was convicted by a jury of perjury for lying to federal investigators about his role in the White House leak of the identity of a covert CIA officer's identity.

Lying, after all, is "Job One" with the Bush Administration. And this president certainly leads by example, doesn't he?

First reaction statement in the inbox is from the senior member of the Green Mountain State's Troika on Capitol Hill.

Senator Patrick J. Leahy:

“The President’s muted words and deeds in the aftermath of this conviction pale in comparison to what he said before the investigation was launched.

"The President has the constitutional power to do this.  But accountability has been in short supply in the Bush Administration, and this commutation fits that pattern.  It is emblematic of a White House that sees itself as being above the law."

Next one:

Senator Bernie Sanders:

“A jury of his peers found Libby guilty of lying about his role in revealing the identity of a covert C.I.A. operative. It is unfortunate that President Bush in commuting his sentence has once again put political considerations above the interests of our judicial system.”

And finally:

Representative Peter Welch:

"The President's decision is shameful and shockingly disrespectful of the American judicial system.  He has betrayed the trust placed in him by the American people, who expect their president to uphold the rule of law.  And he has chosen to bow to political pressure at the expense of the integrity of our judicial system."

Governor Jim Douglas:

"Freyne Land" sent the governor's distinguished press secretary Jason Gibbs this question Monday night via e-mail:

"Are you putting out a statement on the president's commutation of Scooter Libby's 30-month jail sentence?

Got his response this morning via return e-mail:

"No."