AMNESTY FOR WRONGDOERS:

Comments Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)
On Immunity Granted To Blackwater USA Bodyguards
In State Department’s Investigation Of Deadly Shooting Incident In Iraq Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007

“This fits a well-worn pattern. In this Administration, accountability goes by the boards. That seems to be a central tenet in the Bush Administration — that no one from their team should be held accountable, if accountability can be avoided. That goes equally for misconduct and for incompetence. If you get caught, they will get you immunity. If you get convicted, they will commute your sentence. They are the Amnesty Administration. Dodging accountability corrodes our values and our integrity, which have been real sources of America’s enduring strength.”

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[Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over the FBI, and the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, which has budget jurisdiction over the State Department.]