Zero tolerance

I find myself enraged by the Decider's decision to decide to decide to see to it that I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby went unpunished (more, much more on that later in the day). In listening the argument that Captain Codpiece does not have the courage to put forward personally, relying instead on the printed page and various paid and unpaid mouthpieces to make his arguments for him, he seems to be saying that perjurers should be punished at the lower end of the acceptable scale. I think that the we need to take measures to ensure that, should any of his other minions be convicted of similar crimes before his term in office is over, he understands that the American people are insistent that violations of the public trust are punished and punished severely.

I therefore propose that legislation be quickly adopted and passed to the President for signature that contains certain provisions.

This legislation, hereafter to be known as the "Scooter Libby Runs Free" Act, would apply to all elected official as well as political appointees in both the Executive and Legislative branches of government.

The provisions of this law would apply in any circumstance when any of said officials were found to be guilty of crimes that violate the public trust. I believe such crimes to include, but not necessarily by limited to: perjury, obstruction of justice, jury tampering, acceptance or solicitation of bribes or other corrupt considerations or any violations of human rights irrespective of whether or not the victim of these violations were US citizens or not.

The minimum provisions are as follows:

1) The recommended or mandatory sentence for any official convicted of crimes covered by the legislation are automatically doubled as compared to those for ordinary citizens. This is an explicit expression of the belief of the American people that there public servants are obliged to adhere to a higher standard than ordinary citizens and not a lower one. This doubling would apply to all penalties including custodial sentences, periods of custody required before eligibility for parole is reached, periods of probation or house arrest and any and all fines or other financial penalties.

2) Any financial penalties must be paid for out of the income and/or assets of the criminal and may not be paid by third parties or by funds provided by third parties. This provision will not preclude the raising of funds by third parties to pay legal fees for the defendant.

3) The convicted official is permanently prohibited from holding any paid or unpaid position in any branch of the Federal government. Any service in the armed forces of the United States at a rank of non-commissioned officer or lower is exempted for this provision.

4) The convicted official is permanently prohibited from lobbying any branch or employee of the Federal government. This restriction also applies to any business endeavour owned or operated by the convicted official.

5) The convicted official is permanently prohibited from being employed in the provision or sale of goods or services to the Federal government. This restriction also applies to any business endeavour owned or operated by the convicted official.

6) The convicted official is permanently prohibited from sitting as an officer or board member of any corporation, public or private, in the United States.

7) The convicted official is permanently prohibited from employment with any organisation or commercial enterprise which performs financial audits from any corporation operating in the United States.

8) The convicted official is permanently added to the Federal "No Fly" list as long as such a list exists. This prohibition applies to both public and private aircraft within US airspace. (This provision is optional but very, very, very desirable.)

9) The convicted official is to be required to serve a minimum of 24 days annually as a volunteer. The specifics of this provision need to be drawn so that actual public service is provided by the official's efforts.

Remember the message that much be delivered loudly and clearly to the Executive and the Legislative branches of government is that the public will no longer tolerate any violation of their trust by these officials who are elected or appointed and remunerated in order to serve the public interest and not to serve themselves, their political allies or their financial supporters.

We will allow no exceptions. We will tolerate no more pardons or commutations. You have once and for evermore exhausted our patience.