(cross-posted to The Agonist)
It Is Fundamental To The Rule Of Law That All Citizens Stand Before The Bar Of Justice As Equals.
The rule of law. The idea and belief that all men are equal before the law. Justice is blind. Justice is not for sale.
All of these ideas are basic tenets of our judicial system, and have been for more than 200 years. Without them we’re left with an oligarchy, a system in which those with the financial means and access to political power in effect have access to a different and much more lenient and forgiving system of justice- a Star Chamber, if you will. Unfortunately, given Our Glorious and Benevolent Leader’s © decision to commute Scooter Libby’s jail sentence, it would seem that we are today saddled with the modern-day equivalent of a Star Chamber, in which the rich, powerful, and well-connected take care of their own and leave the rest of us to our own devices.
What saddens me most is the precedent this decision sets for future generations. To me, Libby’s commutation says that the rule of law is, can be, and will be applied differently to the friends and supporters of those in power. It says that a President with visions of absolute power can ignore precendent, decency, and respect for the rule of law to take care of his own. What we’re witnessing unfold before us is the ultimate disrespect for this country and the legal system that has been developed and nurtured over the past 200+ years.
The rich, White, and well-connected really ARE different…now more than ever. A President can decide on his own that a convicted felon was given an overly harsh sentence. Never mind that Scooter Libby’s sentence was within the bounds of federal sentencing guidelines. Never mind that Scooter Libby is a convicted felon. Libby, of course, is the “right” kind of person, and American patriot, and King George the Worst © is well within his constitutional rights to bestow a different standard of justice upon a friend and fall guy supporter.
The Decider © has justified his decision by stating that Libby still faces significant penalties. Yes, he may lose his law license, but does anyone for a minute believe that Libby will be panhandling on K St. to support his family? And as for the $250,000 find? Well, there are defense funds for Libby that can pay that fine off several times over. It’s quite likely that Libby will not have to so much as to crack his wallet to pay his fine. No, Libby will be just fine. He’ll no doubt end up with a well-funded sinecure at a Conservative think tank, where he’ll finish out his career as a revered hero of the Conservative movement.
For those of you naive enough to believe that all men are equal under the law, congratulations. You’ve just been schooled in the reality that equality is a relative concept when you’re a Conservative Republican. Some people are undeniably more equal than others.
It’s good to have friends, eh??
