Venal - adj. 1. willing to sell one's influence, esp. in return for a bribe; open to bribery; mercenary: a venal judge. 2. able to be purchased, as by a bribe: venal acquittals.
adj. 3. Capable of betraying honor, duty, or scruples for a price; corruptible.
4. Marked by corrupt dealings, especially bribery: a venal administration.

Duplicity – noun 1. deceitfulness in speech or conduct; speaking or acting in two different ways concerning the same matter with intent to deceive; double-dealing.

I just got back to Internet land and read that Lewis Libby will walk. Yeah, George Bush merely commuted the sentence, but that removes the only part of the penalty that would really sting. Call me naive but I simply can't believe the audacity. They are essentially letting a man off the hook who, as found by a jury and sentenced by a conservative judge (a judge appointed by Bush himself), was guilty of obstructing justice in a matter of national security. Bush based a big part of his platform on protecting American citizens from anyone who'd compromise that security. He made his name, in large part, as a tough-on-crime guy. "George W. Bush during his six years as governor of Texas presided over 152 executions, more than any other governor in the recent history of the United States." His administration has renditioned people off the streets of foreign countries. They're tapping the phones and reading the mail and e-mails of American citizens.

Now, Libby walks. I can only imagine Dick Cheney and Karl Rove were sitting there saying, "George has said so many unbelievable things maybe this one will fade into memory just like everything else."

Fool - noun 1. a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgment or sense. 2. a professional jester, formerly kept by a person of royal or noble rank for amusement: the court fool. 3. a person who has been tricked or deceived into appearing or acting silly or stupid: to make a fool of someone.