I'm just a dumb layman but this sounds like BS to me. The president can pardon anyone at anytime.
They may not have met suggested guidelines, but guidelines are not law.
Pardons would have been better, but it’s about damn time.
bttt
You’re right. I think what Rodgers meant was that they were not eligible to be recommended for a pardon by his office (whose advice the president almost always follows). The pardon office only recommends pardons for people who completed their sentences at least five years before.
I am sure Bush is operating on the principle that, if the guidelines are not followed, some future Democratic president might pardon drug traffickers, or terrorist bombers, or international swindlers.
I’ll take it.
Pardons would have been a much better resolution, but this will get them out and back to their families.
I wish them the best.
Well, this gets them out of jail, but now they’ll have to find jobs to support their families.
And it’s nonsense to say that they weren’t “eligible” for pardons. IF they were guilty of anything, it was foolishly trying to cover up when they were arrested and falsely charged by a kangaroo prosecutor. You can’t entirely blame them for that. They probably just weren’t smart or knowledgeable enough to say NOTHING until they got a lawyer.
This is much like Scooter Libby, who was NOT the leaker, plus there was never a crime in the first place because Valerie Plame was not covered by the statute in question. Fitz knew this, but gave immunity to the man he KNEW was the leaker so he could nail Libby on false testimony. And even that was probably accidental and based on the testimony of a questionable source.
Yet Bush refused to fully pardon Libby, even though he was nailed on a technicality by a politicized prosecutor, a corrupt judge, and a jury foreman who admittedly wanted to smear the Bush administration.
I am thankful these two are going to be ‘free at last’...
From Breitbart: “Compean and Ramos, who have served about two years of their sentences, are expected to be released from prison within the next two months.”
I’m happy for the commutation, but still another two months in prison???
“Rodgers said the former agents apparently were not eligible for a pardon, which would nullify the punishment.”
They’ve been ‘punished’ more than enough.
As to the commutation (in lieu of): FINALLY
Thank you President Bush
Me and the missus are really pleased about Ramos and Compean obtaining a commutation. A pardon would have been more just, but this news is a faint glimmer of light in the gathering darkness.
I am happy to hear that these good men will soon be home with their families because their sentences were commuted by President Bush. I would have preferred a full pardon. Remember that Nixon received a pardon from President Ford so the argument that they are not eligible is not consistent with past action to pardon before charges were even levied. Maybe a pardon can be requested after these men are home with their families and putting their broken lives back together.
everyplace has it different? how hard is it to spell a name?
A bit of good news.
Very good news to the agents themselves, of course.
I would like their right to carry firearms to not be infringed. Lotta crazies out there.
As I state on another thread....
Slick Willie Clinton pardon worse criminals. Bush Could have done the same... at least they will be free... finally
The president can pardon anyone. To say they could not be pardoned (not eligible) would be placing limits on the presidency.
Second, why did he have to wait so long if he was actually going to do this? It’s not like he had to consider re-election.
Hopefully the commutation was for the rest of their time they still had to serve.
This is good news....but Ramos and Compean should have been PARDONED...they did not commit a crime.
In fact, they did not “cover up” anything....contrary to the reports in the media (including Fox News), and contrary to some of the posters here on FR.
Having read much of the documentation (which surprisingly (sarc) were withheld so long by the Feds)....Ramos and Compean’s supervisors were there on the scene right after the shooting....and told Ramos/Compean to pick up their shells....so their superiors knew about the incident. There was no cover up by Ramos and Compean.
By refusing to pardon the two, Bush still is taking the word of an illegal alien drug dealer (who continued to bring in drugs to the USA while under his immunity deal) over the word of two respectable Border Patrol agents. This is more “valuing the rights of illegal aliens over the rights of American citizens” anti-American bigotry.
I am glad that Ramos and Compean will now be able to join their families....but they should not have to wait TWO MONTHS for that freedom.
And, by refusing to pardon the two....they will be unable to pursue their careers in law enforcement. Hopefully someone will hire them...and hopefully the two will write books and make the talk/news show circuit so they can make some money.
Also, by refusing to pardon the two....they can still appeal their convictions in the courts....and still ask the new President to pardon them
I had given up hope. Thank god, something to be grateful for this week. Can’t wait to hear John & Ken on KFI today!
‘bout bloody time.. But better late than never...