How Should Libby Be Punished?
Given that his indictments are for obstruction and perjury of an investigation into a non-crime, and given the relatively lenient sentence administered to Sandy "I've got classified documents in my pants, stolen from the National Archives" Berger, I'd like to know, what would be an appropriate punishment for Mr. Libby?
I run into this question all the time when dealing with the much more serious crimes of sister-blaming and stray crayon marks on the walls. What is a fair but just punishment, should he be found guilty? What punishment will make it far more likely that other government officials will hesitate to step into these murky waters in the future?
I'll get the ball rolling with a few suggestions:
- A romantic dinner for two each Friday evening for the next two years with the lovely Helen Thomas.
- Sailing and navigation lessons off Hyannis from Sen. Ted Kennedy.
- A year of research in the Clinton Presidential Library - Little Rock, Arkansas - learning how to undermine a special prosecutor, and enlightening himself about what the Bush 43 presidency could have been.
Any other suggestions? Let me know. Please note that this is categorized as "humor/satire."
10/29/05 1020: We need more entries! Linked to Wizbang's COTT XXXV. And Stop The ACLU.
Grounded from television for two weeks. Not from watching it, from talking to the people on television.
Posted by: Will Franklin | Oct 28, 2005 at 02:41 PM
Seriously. Let's just decriminalize lying to grand juries. It's, like, no big whoop.
Posted by: jpe | Oct 28, 2005 at 07:21 PM
Please note that this is categorized as "humor/satire."
I put that phrase in the post for a reason.
NB: No one is saying that lying to a grand jury is not a criminal offense. It is. What I did say is this: "Lying to a grand jury is serious, but I think we can agree that it's a lot less serious when there is no crime otherwise."
Posted by: Giacomo | Oct 28, 2005 at 09:56 PM
Or ...
No, JPE, I think we need to take this type of behavior seriously. How will we ever maintain discipline if we keep moving the goalposts?
I can be fairly dense sometimes. (Don't chime in and agree too quickly.) I think it was your use of the word 'seriously' that confused me.
Posted by: Giacomo | Oct 29, 2005 at 07:04 AM
Have you ever heard of innocent until proven guilty. He has a lawyer and will beat these charges easily.
Posted by: Have you | Oct 29, 2005 at 10:52 AM
Well, arguing the presumption of innocence is not the point of this post, is it?
How about being sentenced to watch a Barbara Streisand Film festival every week for a year? First and last films in the marathon are Yentl and Prince of Tides.
Posted by: Giacomo | Oct 29, 2005 at 12:24 PM
I'm thinking that the Helen Thomas gig (aaah, that svelt minx) might not be bad, especially if Cheney runs for president.
Posted by: The MaryHunter | Oct 29, 2005 at 01:35 PM
Tie him to a chair in some Senate hearing room and lock him in there with Ted Kennedy, Barbara Boxer, Pat Leahy, Joe Biden, Dick Durbin, Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer for a week.
If he survives, he will then need to be admitted to the psych ward for several years to be rehabilitated.
Or is this just too cruel a punishment?
Posted by: Mr. Right | Oct 29, 2005 at 02:33 PM
Maybe he should be sentenced to research the origins and usage of the phrase "working families" in political speech?
Posted by: Giacomo | Oct 29, 2005 at 04:37 PM