Posted on 12/22/2006 8:19:58 AM PST by DJ Taylor
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush issued 16 pardons Thursday and commuted the sentence of an Iowa man convicted of drug charges.
Six of the federal offenses were drug crimes, while others included bank fraud, mail fraud, the acceptance of a kickback, a false statement on a loan application and conspiracy to defraud the government over taxes.
Seven of the 16 received no prison or jail time, instead getting probation or a reduction in their military pensions.
The longest sentence was nine years, for aiding cocaine distribution, followed by a six-year term for conspiracy to possess marijuana.
With this batch, Bush has issued 113 pardons and commuted three sentences in his nearly six years in the White House, according to spokesman Tony Fratto.
A pardon amounts to federal forgiveness for one's crime, while a commutation cuts short an existing prison term.
(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...
Signing the law to authorize construction of a border fence doesn't count, I suppose.
There was a petition for this purpose, I signed it as did many other people. I guess President Bush wasn't interested in the fact so many people thought these men should be pardoned, not part of his agenda I guess as he feels so strongly about Mexicans. I think its terrible they weren't pardoned and shows he is not supporting our border patrols agents. I guess I shouldn't be surprised he didn't pardon them as he clearly is not interested in securing our borders. I used to be 100% behind President Bush but I think he clearly doesn't care what the American people think or care about. What a shame he couldn't act decently towards these two men. Shame on him.
The answer is no. Anyone can be pardoned of crimes commited whether they have been convicted or not.
Some of us Bushbots are just staring off into space, mystified by it all. Feeling a bit betrayed... I don't know what to think. Maybe it's all a mistake, maybe there's some really good explanation that we just don't yet have.
Sincerely,
(Future former?) Bushbot
If you think it's really going to happen, then for you it counts. I don't believe it will. Kind of like "Read my lips, no new taxes" from another President.
It'll get built the same day our budget is balanced, Social Security is fixed and monkeys fly out....
Rolling our eyes at the kneejerk reactions on this thread.
You damned right I have an agenda; it's called justice.
Before you descend into Bush bashing....check these links out:
http://www.silicon-valley.com/pardonme/index.shtml
http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/pardons3.htm
There is a procedure for getting a pardon, and I'm sure the WH follows it after Clintons debacle.
Besides, the two border patrol agents were guilty as sin. You don't shoot at a fleeing man with a 12 ga shotgun fifteen(IIRC) times, and then try to cover it up.....
I see. Unless President Bush actually goes out and builds the fence personally, it doesn't count.
Here I am Stonewall!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1757237/posts?page=22
Former Border Patrol Agent Jose Alonso Compean attends a press conference and rally on Thursday, December 21, 2006 in front of the Old Orange County Courthouse where supporters, led by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher requested the President pardon both Compean and fellow agent Ignacio Ramos' conviction for the non fatal shooting of a Mexican citizen smuggling drugs into the United States. Compean and Ramos are both facing more than 10 years in prison.
______
According to some of the jurors, they did not feel the trial was fair.
Sentencing looms for agents, jurors say they were misled
Agents’ lawyer seeks new trial in shooting case
By Louie Gilot / El Paso Times
Three members of the jury that convicted two former El Paso Border Patrol agents of shooting a drug smuggler in the buttocks last year said they were misled into finding them guilty, according to a motion filed late Tuesday, two days before the agents are to be sentenced.
http://hecubus.wordpress.com/2006/10/18/ignacio-ramos-and-jose-compean-illegal-immigration-heroes/
For me, justice means not second guessing juries.
Well by "them" staying home this election you can forget about it but thats what "they" wanted by staying home right? elections do have consequence and PRO immigration is one. Good job Nancy Harry and Hillary thank you
Careful, they'll get stuck that way.
Hello A.Hun! glad to see you
I surprised Sandy Burgular didn't get one.
Hey StoneWall...just visiting for a minute. Merry Christmas!
Me and mine voted. McCreary(R)
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