Today, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, disgraced former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney and aide to the President, pleaded not guilty to five felony charges of perjury, obstruction of justice and presenting false information to a federal agent.
The news has been the buzz of the liberal blogosphere since the indictments were handed down.
What I find particularly fascinating in the latest chapter in the complete repudiation of NeoCon ethics and patriotism is this intersection with history—the Iran-Contra scandal was revealed for the first time 19 years ago today on November 3, 1986.
From This Day in History:
The Lebanese magazine Ash Shiraa reports that the United States has been secretly selling arms to Iran in an effort to secure the release of seven American hostages held by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon. The revelation, confirmed by U.S. intelligence sources on November 6, came as a shock to officials outside President Ronald Reagan's inner circle and went against the stated policy of the administration. In addition to violating the U.S. arms embargo against Iran, the arms sales contradicted President Reagan's vow never to negotiate with terrorists.
The scandal implicated President Bush's father, then Vice President George H.W. Bush, for engaging "'in conduct that contributed to a "concerted effort to deceive Congress and the public' about the Iran-Contra affair."
On Christmas Eve, 1992, shortly after being defeated in his reelection bid by Bill Clinton, President George Bush pardoned six major figures in the Iran-Contra affair. Two of the men, former defense secretary Caspar Weinberger and former chief of CIA operations Duane Clarridge, had trials for perjury pending.
Crooks, thieves, and miscreants all.
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