Yes, I know that commutations and pardons are the purview of the chief executive of a government, be it state or federal.  In this case, this is ludicrous in light of both Bush’s previous pronouncements that anyone in his administration who was guilty regarding this affair would face justice (where is “justice” now), and in light of his track record of being extremely stingy with commutations and pardons both as president and as governor of Texas.

But the more important thing is that this is a set-up.  You watch … the 2008 election will be finagled and rigged to produce the result the Cheney branch of government wants.  I’m not sure they will be successful, but the effort will be there.

And if they clearly lose the election, I would not be surprised if there is a manufactured, overarching “uber-crisis” that will form the foundation for them refusing to relinquish power come January 20, 2009.