How much do you get for falling on your sword these days?

And so, Scooter Libby has done his duty as a good Roman and fallen on his sword. He stood before the Forum and ended his political career in a dazzling Roman finale, as befits any Consul of the Republic.

To be sure, this is just a show. Like in the Republic, the plebes must be appeased with a sacrifice to Justice. A meaningful servant has been shed, but not the truly powerful and never the truly guilty. I'm sure you have noticed by now that the truly powerful were not called to testify to save their friend and colleague. Vice President Cheney and Karl Rove were not called to the stand. Surely they could have sworn to their friend's actions and innocence.

The real shame here is that justice was simply redirected. With a slight glance, justice was moved away from two of the most powerful men in the country. While I do not suggest conspiracy, I do suggest that this is the tragedy of government wrongdoing. True justice demands that all involved are questioned and that the truth of a crime comes out for everyone to see. True American justice demands that even the powerful are called before the people to answer the people's questions.

Vice President Cheney and Karl Rove, both logically suspected of at least knowing about the revelation of the name of a covert operative to the press, should have been called before the court. They could lie or be honest. They could know or not know, but their statement would be on the record. They would have had to swear to their statements under oath.

We were denied this. Instead, Scooter Libby didn't call them. He didn't expose them to the risk of cross examination. He went before the Forum alone and fell on his sword to protect his friends and masters.