Just Breathtaking

The ink was probably barely dry on the commutation order before the hacks at The Wall Street Journal, fresh from being repudiated by a majority of the Senate and the country on the amnesty bill, put together their Libby editorial together.  It could have been written before the fact, but regardless of this it is a rich artifact of Bush-era propaganda.  Mr. Bush is “evading responsibility” by failing to pardon Libby, when his act of commutation before Libby’s appeal was heard was something that he definitely did not have to do.  He is “evading responsibility,” even though the WSJ position on this entire matter is one, long evasion of responsibility, moral, political and legal.  These people are simply amazing.  The commutation is a “dark moment” in the history of the administration–and not because it is giving cover to a convicted perjuror!  It is a “dark moment” because the President did not misuse his pardon power to completely exonerate a felon.  That is what these people mean.  The WSJ said that Libby deserved better.  Actually, he deserved to go to jail.  He should be glad that the President was willing to do this much for him.  So should his moronic defenders.

The Journal has a twofer of bad contributions this morning.  Brendan Miniter has arrived to tell us that–contrary to what he must think is established public opinion on the matter–George Washington didn’t win every battle!  Why, he even retreated from New York (a move that anyone even briefly acquainted with New York City can applaud for its wisdom)!  He apparently thinks that the example of the weaker, native force defeating the intruding imperial army at Saratoga is supposed to encourage us in our campaign in Iraq.  Of course he does.