As the pundits and op-ed columnists get their reactions out to Bush’s actions yesterday, common themes are beginning to emerge. There are the stupid comparisons to Clinton (see Tim Noah at Slate, for example). Then, there are the ridiculous claims that what Libby did wasn’t actually that bad.

So, a brief reminder of the issues at hand. Scooter Libby was part of an effort to discredit evidence that might’ve kept us from going to war. Our nation is in Iraq today in part because of the efforts of people like Libby to discredit anyone who might create credible doubt in the eyes of the American public about the case for war.

None of that is illegal on its face, but it is disgraceful. On the scale of things that have harmed our country, I think it’s clear that it’s a bit more serious than a blowjob. So, let’s get the Clinton comparisons out of here.

Libby then lied repeatedly and deliberately to an investigation into whether anyone revealed Valerie Plame’s covert status. This, even though he claims to have not broken the law. He lied, in other words, simply for political gain and protection of his bosses and his party.

What more serious breach of public trust is there than a high government official who lies to an investigator who is attempting to protect the national security of the nation, especially when such lies are meant only to further a candidate’s political fortunes. What act of perjury could be worse?

Don’t get spun. The sentence was what the judge believed fair. It is justifiable in the face of the depth of the crime and the sensitivity of his role. When Tim Noah says, “Walton … erred on the side of severity not in spite of Libby’s high position in government but because of it” as a criticism, I see that as valid justification. Libby attempted to subvert a lawful, focused investigation into a national security matter. For a high government official, what act of perjury could be worse?

For those saying that Libby will have to bear the burden of his $250,000 fine, I offer the following prediction: the Lewis Scooter Libby defense fund will pick up all of the tab and little will come out of his pocket.

Finally, for those claiming that Amb. Joe Wilson’s findings about Iraq and Niger were discredited, I offer you Josh Marshall’s response. He is easily one of the most knowledgable journalists on this topic and he assembled much of the information about the Iraq/Niger/Italian forgery/etc. online. He points out that none of it has actually been discredited even though Republican hacks like David Brooks would like it to be.

Don’t get spun. What Bush did was wrong, it was wrong no matter what you compare it to and how you spin it. Commuting Libby’s sentence is a slap in the face of anyone who believes in the rule of law or in any form of government oversight. Our government officials aren’t above the law, no matter what King George wants.

Update: Forgot to mention that the sentence was reviewed by the appeals board and judged to be fair. Remember that’s what triggered Bush’s actions. The appeals judges rejected the defense arguments earlier the same day. How pathetic.