Former White House official(Safavian) wept as he asked for leniency

[RedEarth]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former Bush administration official David Safavian wept as he asked for leniency in his obstruction of justice case Friday, telling a judge that his lobbyist friend Jack Abramoff manipulated him and drew him into the scandal.

Safavian, who was convicted in June of lying to investigators about his relationship with the lobbyist while Safavian was chief of staff in the General Services Administration. He helped provided Abramoff with details about GSA projects and offered advice on dealing with the agency.

At sentencing Friday, Safavian apologized for giving the appearance of impropriety but said it was not fraudulent.

''Yes, Jack Abramoff was a friend but he wasn't my coconspirator and I wasn't his,'' Safavian said. ''There was no conspiracy to defraud anyone, least of all the taxpayers.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Lobbyist-Probe.html?hp&ex=1162008000&en=393460ad613e3af4&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[rkc3]

1. Wouldn't it have been better for him to say he was an alcoholic?

Any sane judge would have thrown out the charges.

[AndyA]

9. And he could have added that he was molested by a Priest when

he was a young boy. That would DEFINITELY work.

[waiting for hope]

2. BaWaWa......

Like would this work if I didn't pay my taxes? NOT. Take your comeuppance weasel, and remember you may be joined soon enough with all your buddies.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

3. My heart is breaking!

I feel so bad for fucktard Republicans who get caught!

[Solly Mack]

4. I'll try and work up some sympathy

Oh well...I tried.

[sharp_stick]

5. At least he didn't try the

alcohol rehab crap that seems to popular among disgraced republicans. This bawling in front of cameras should now be known as the Duke Cunningham plea.

[Cuauhtla]

8. Safavian, Abramoff, Cunningham, ad infinitum

I can empathize with the human tragedy involved, but it diminishes when I consider the tragic consequences of their ill-deeds and policies. They've done such harm to so many, caused such suffering, and cry only when they get caught/punished. Only their own pain moves them, no one else's. I feel more sorrow for their families, crying from love.

[wryter2000]

15. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[newyawker99]

19. Hi Cuauhtla!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Elidor]

6. Cry me a river!

I love the sound of republicans crying. Prison, asshole! Prison! Don't pass go! Report directly to prison where you belong!

[jaysunb]

7. Crying won't help you now....

that's a song whose singer I can't remember, but I hope he stops before he gets to the pen.....that kinda stuff will cause you lots of problems. :evilgrin:

[librechik]

10. David, your WAAAAAAMbulance has arrived

to take you to the big house.

Bastard!

Hope the rest of the GOP bigshots shitting on our democracy get the same treatment or worse.

[orleans]

11. jack put a spell on him.....n/t

[PerfectSage]

12. Rush says Safavian is overexaggerating his remorse.

:sarcasm:

[wryter2000]

16. LOL

:rofl:

[Burried News]

13. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

Hasta la vista baby.

[Bluebear]

14. Boo hoo hoo, Karla Faye . . .

You get as much sympathy as Karla Faye got from your monkey leader.

[ronnykmarshall]

17. Just wait until 1/20/09 ....

All of these bastards will get pardons.

[4nic8em]

18. Must be way

to late for "rehab".

[porphyrian]

20. Good. When's bush's turn? - n/t

[AlCzervik]

21. i'm reading "The Heist" by Peter Stone right now, it's all about Jack

and Grover, Ralphie and Dave.