Bush pardons 16, commutes sentence in drug case

CNN.com International ^ | Associated Press

[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.

[StoneWall Brigade]

You too my friend

[italianquaker]

we voted straight r also

[jrooney]

The border patrolmen may not have been convicted if they had not tried to cover up the shooting incident. Why does a person try and cover something up? Maybe because they thought they did something wrong.

To you constant Bush bashers here on FR, even if GW had pardoned the border patrol agents, you would have jumped onto to the next GW bashing thread that came along with the same hatred for a ggod man and a great president during some very difficult times. There is no difference with doing that than what the far left fringe does. Do you all hate Reagan because he outright failed on immigration, far worse than GW? No, yo udon't. Pretty hypocritical.

At least the libs vote together, you all eat your own and will keep us the minrotiy party for many years to come.

[jrooney]

So did my family members of 30 here in Oregon because we know our party and president may not be perfect but far better than what the left can ever offer.

[dave48170]

Like that'll get built. ROTFLMAO

[highball]

Don't you have to wait to be convicted before you can get a pardon?

No, the President can issue pardons for any crimes that may have been committed.

41 pardoned Caspar Weinberger two weeks before his trial was due to begin.

[italianquaker]

others are this board cant say that and elections have consequences

[samadams2000]

Its like DeJa Vue all over again back to the Bush 1 Presidency. Remember how he phoned in the last couple of years, and then raised taxes on us? This will be no different and hurt more. These Elite Rinos will be the death of this once great country.

[longtermmemmory]

Hispanic vote 2008.

So much for courage of his convictions.

I think they should be pardoned.

Keep in mind folks, the DOJ tends to vote democrat.

[dave48170]

RINOS lost the majority, if you don't see that YOU are part of the problem.

[jrooney]

I am not part of the problem. I voted straight R with 29 other family members and have for the past 3 elections. Those that stayed home like whiney babies and did not vote lost the election. I voted jerk.

[Kewlhand`tek]

send this soldier the petition, I will sign it too!

[brazzaville]

Good morning.
"You don't shoot at a fleeing man with a 12 ga shotgun fifteen(IIRC) times, and then try to cover it up....."

I am not aware of most of the facts in this case.

Do you mean that they fired at the guy with a shotgun 15 times, or that they fired once and 15 pellets hit the smuggler in the arse as he ran away? If they fired 15 times and the drug smuggling illegal was only slightly wounded then the two BP agents needed more training, not prison time.

My grandfather's baby brother caught 8 pellets in his butt when Federal agents raided his still in 1931. I'll bet it hurt.

I'll bet jon carry would know.

Michael Frazier

[WatchingInAmazement]

At least the libs vote together, you all eat your own and will keep us the minrotiy party for many years to come.

Oh, BS. If you and others had got on Bush for his nonsense on immigration the republicans would still hold the majority. It's not the fault of the public because George Bush is stubbornly and consistently on the wrong side of this issue.

[MediaMole]

Have the Border Patrol agents even filed an appeal? If they haven't exhausted the appeal process, it is inappropriate to grant a pardon.

An appeals court judge could grant a new trial and they could be found not guilty.

If they are granted a pardon before the appeals process had gone through, they will always be those two agents convicted of shooting "an innocent Mexican in the back."

[Kewlhand`tek]

i dont see mclame or giglio being any better on immigration and they are the front runners for 08

[dave48170]

How did that symbolic majority work out?

[WatchingInAmazement]

I assume they've filed appeal. How long do you think these agents are going to survive in prison with the prisons being between 25 and 30% illegal aliens?