I disagree with Noah's argument that pardoning Libby was the right thing to do. It has nothing to do with Libby being a Republican (a Democratic administration would have done the same). It has everything to do with who Libby knew. Everyone knew that Libby would be pardoned and I think most people were pretty sure that he'd be pardoned before he spent so much as a minute inside a cell.

It's interesting that he use the pardons of Nixon and Weinberger to support his argument. His assertion that to compare those pardons and the pardon of Libby is weak is true, but he misses the reason why. Nixon and Weinberger were never put on trial. No only was Libby tried in front of a jury, but he was also convicted.

This pardon reaffirms that if one knows the right people, that Justice does not matter. If Libby was not politically connected, he would not have been pardoned. He most likely would have served at least part of his sentence.

If Libby's conviction was unjust, then let him appeal to the same courts that any other American would appeal to. He should not have more of a chance to walk than anyone else just because of who he knows.

If his sentencing was too harsh, then the system needs to be changed so that each of us has the same rights. Just because the judge has the option to give a lenient sentence or let him enjoy his freedom while he appeals, it does not mean that the judge is required to grant these privileges. If Libby was convicted of a non-violent drug offense, the judge would have been praised for doubling the recommended sentence!

Noah's comparison to Clinton further weakens his argument because Clinton was not found guilty. To lay the blame for this at the feet of 300 million Americans is shameful: only 67 people could have convicted Clinton! Does one not guilty verdict nullify the crime? If so, does that mean that murder is now legal because of the OJ verdict? Clearly not.

Let's not pretend that Bush's pardon rights a wrong. It merely confirms that the closer one is to power, the less likely any punishment will be served in full.

It should be that we all have the same Justice. But we don't.

And quite frankly, that sucks.