Big news today that W. has commuted the sentence of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby to effectively cleanse him of any punishment regarding his obstruction of justice in the Valarie Plame affair. I’m not going to say much about this, since others have said it so well. But I do want to offer some particularly poignant historical quotes that we should all ruminate over as this episode plays through the summer:

“I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious of traitors.” – George H. W. Bush / 4.26.99

And then there is this gem right after the Plame investigation was opened:

“If there’s a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is . . . If the person has violated law, that person will be taken care of.” – George W. Bush / 9.30.03

And from the President’s official statement made earlier today:

“The Constitution gives the President the power of clemency to be used when he deems it to be warranted. It is my judgment that a commutation of the prison term in Mr. Libby’s case is an appropriate exercise of this power.” – George W. Bush / 7.2.07

I have to say I pretty much called this back in March. My timing was off, and even though W. let the fine and sentence stand, there will be no real punishment. His fine will be paid from money raised by his friend Dick, along with a cushy position somewhere the Carlyle Group or other Bush related firm, I’m sure. So with this, Bush firmly cements his place as worst President ever, and more brave men and women will die in Iraq for a war that might have been avoided if Joe Wilson had been allowed to speak freely. So sad.