Imprisoned agent's wife: President is a hypocrite

WorldNetDaily ^ | January 24, 2007 | Jerome R. Corsi

[NapkinUser]

Calls State of the Union speech 'total sellout of the United States of America to Mexico'

Monica Ramos, the wife of one of two U.S. Border Patrol agents imprisoned last week for wounding an escaping drug smuggler, attended the State of the Union speech in person last night – and was sharply critical of President Bush, calling him a hypocrite and worse.

Ramos, wife of Border Patrol agent Ignacio Ramos, attended the event as a guest of Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif.

Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean began prison sentences last week, of 11 and 12 years respectively, for their actions in the shooting and wounding of a Mexican drug smuggler who was granted full immunity to testify against them.

At the conclusion of the speech, Ramos, emotional and in tears, told WND in an exclusive interview, that she considered President Bush's speech compete hypocrisy.

"How could President Bush say that he wanted to secure our borders and that he would double the size of the Border Patrol when my husband is in prison," she asked WND. "Ignacio was trying to secure our border from drug smugglers. And what do we get? I have to show my children their father in prison in chains and I have to explain to them that the president of the United States is a liar."

WND waited nearly an hour after the speech was concluded to be able to speak with a clearly emotionally upset Monica Ramos.

"President Bush can say all he wants that the solution to border security is new infrastructure and technology," Ramos told WND, "but as long as my husband is in jail the American people should know that President Bush doesn't mean a word he says."

"What I sat in the gallery and heard tonight," she said, "was a total sell-out of the United States of America to Mexico. I heard President Bush's message loud and clear. All the president has to offer is electronic gadgets. Meanwhile, our borders are wide open to illegal immigrants, criminals and drug smugglers. God help the honest men and women of the Border Patrol who want to do their duty. It's a losing battle – just ask my husband, he'll tell you the truth."

"The American people only need to ask me," Ramos pleaded to WND. "Tell America that President Bush doesn't mean a word of what he says about border security. My husband is in jail for trying to capture a drug smuggler and President Bush wants electronics? My husband is a hero and President Bush is a traitor as far as I'm concerned. Let him tell my children that he wants new 'infrastructure' or 'comprehensive immigration reform' when their dad who wore the Border Patrol badge for years is shackled and in chains for doing his job."

Rohrabacher agreed with Ramos, emphasizing to WND that "the Bush administration has a hidden agenda with Mexico and that agenda is to keep our border with Mexico wide open, even to drug smugglers."

Asked what message he wanted to send by inviting Ramos' wife to attend the speech in person, Rohrabacher explained: "I wanted to give Mrs. Ramos the opportunity to be in the room and look President Bush right in the face, knowing that this was the man who was destroying her life by his decision to prosecute her husband to the hilt."

Rohrabacher described the injustice he perceived in emotional terms: "By prosecuting these two Border Patrol agents while the drug smuggler is given immunity, President Bush has brutalized the lives of agents Ramos and Compean with a decision that threatens to destroy their families. The wives and the young children of these two Border Patrol agents are now being driven into poverty. The families have no health insurance, they are now losing their homes, and they face a mountain of debt to lawyers. This is a travesty of justice and a personal tragedy that should make President Bush ashamed.

Asked if he had achieved his purpose in inviting Monica Ramos to attend the speech, Rohrabacher told WND:

My purpose after hearing the State of the Union tonight is doubly resolved. President Bush needs to know that we will not rest until Border Patrol [officers] Ramos and Compean are set free.

In history there are cases where heroic people were brutalized and sacrificed by political powers in order to achieve a certain agenda. In this case, I think that's what's happening.

We have an administration that has a hidden agenda with Mexico such that George Bush wants an open border, even though an open border is not in the interests of the American people.

These Border Patrol agents are caught in the middle. They're Americans and they know what their job is supposed to be. They are being persecuted and prosecuted for our sake because they are getting in the way of a power play that has yet been disclosed to the public.

It brutalizes the lives and destroys the families of men who have been willing to sacrifice their lives for us for the last five and 10 years. This is both a tragedy and a travesty.

The continued insistence of the administration to prosecute these Border Patrol agents and to put them in jail and to shackle them and see the families of these men being driven into destitution – this indicates that there has been a decision right at the top that's based on arrogance and cruelty that I think unfortunately reflects our president. It's a side of the president that is now coming out.

We get calls back from the underlings, the assistant congressional liaison officers. This president doesn't return phone calls and he is arrogant and nasty and doesn't treat people very well, not even members of Congress.

The statement we're trying to make is that the president's policy along the border is responsible for murders, drug dealers and terrorists entering the country, millions of illegals. His policy has resulted in the undermining of those law enforcement officers guarding the border, he has totally demoralized the Border Patrol, and in the process of him trying to send a message to the Border Patrol he's destroying the lives of two families. … This person looking right into the face of the president in the same room, this mother of three, her life is being destroyed by President Bush's decision to fully prosecute to the hilt her husband.

American citizens need to rally around these two Border Patrol agents and should call the White House directly to register their protest to this travesty of justice.

President Bush made no reference to the Border Patrol case in a 50-minute speech that focused on domestic issues in the first half and international issues in the second half.

Monica Ramos told WND she was in Washington, D.C., to attend a meeting yesterday afternoon with concerned congressmen.

At least 70 members of the House have signed on to a resolution ordering a congressional pardon that would toss out the convictions and immediately free the former agents.

Monica Ramos described her first meeting with her husband in prison as "heart breaking."

Ramos confirmed the account provided WND by her father, Joe Loya. She acknowledged her husband is being held in solitary confinement in a 6-by-12 foot cell, without windows. Ignacio Ramos is not being allowed any exercise time, and he is shackled every time he leaves his cell.

"This may be for his protection from other inmates," Monica Ramos acknowledged to WND, "but this is abusive. They are treating my husband like the worst hardened criminal imaginable."

She said one of her three young children is so disturbed by the imprisonment that the family has decided to seek counseling for the child.

"My children are planning to visit their father for the first time this Friday," she said, expressing concern. "This will be the first time they see their dad shackled in chains, when they are used to seeing me send him off in his badge and uniform."

The couple's youngest child is 7 years old, the others are aged 9 and 13.

"My youngest child wanted to know if we could order pizza for dad in prison," Monic Ramos said. "No, I told him. Let's wait and have pizza night when daddy gets home."

[ZULU]

INteresting.

Never read Foxe's Book of Martyrs - always thought it referred to the Reformation.

[erton1]

I do live in texas, I am am a landowner in so. texas, and I agree with ReignofError. Remember that case in west Texas where a national guardsman (as I recall) shot and killed a 20 year old goatherder when the kid panicked. I do not want to see a repeat of that incident with my son or daughter.

[Issaquahking]

Talking about this?


Anyone else seen this? it is copied word per word from here. Makes a person wonder what the hell goes on in DC at times....


January 19, 2007

Seeking the Truth About Ramos & Compean Dear Texas Delegation Colleague:

I write this letter to urge to join my efforts in uncovering the facts surrounding the conviction
and sentencing of United States Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean for the
Pursuit and shooting of Osvaldo Aldrete-Davita.

During the last five months, due to my concern over the fate of these agents, I have
relentlessly requested information detailing the facts surrounding this case from both the
Department of Homeland of Security Office of Inspector General and Department of Justice. To
date, both Agencies have defied the will of Congress and refused to cooperate meaningfully with
my efforts to uncover the truth.

Beginning in early September 2005, at my direction, Homeland Security Investigations
Subcommittee staff contacted the Inspector General's office at Department of Homeland
Security seeking information directly relating the investigation of Agents Ramos and Compean.
The IG initially responded there would be no comment regarding the investigation. In subsequent
communication from the IG congressional liaison, the IG's office initially attempted to refer all
inquiries it the Public Affairs Office, USAO for the Western district of Texas. The
Subcommittee then contacted the district court requesting the trial transcript, but was informed no
transcript was available.

During the week of September 18, 2006, again at my direction, Investigations Subcommittee staff
formally requested the DHS IG to brief, in person, and Reps, Poe, Culberson and Marchant on
all relevant information regarding the Ramos and Compean investigation.

On September 26, 2006, the Deputy IG and Assistant for Investigations briefed me and Reps.
Poe, Culberson and Marchant. The briefing focused on the IG Report of Investigation (ROI),
case background and alleged actions of Agents Ramos and Compean on February 17th, 2005 in
Fabens, Texas.

During the briefing to these Members, DHS IG's office asserted the following:

1. Ramos and Compean confessed to knowingly shooting at an unarmed suspect. Again -
they claim the two agents KNEW he was unarmed when they fired their weapons.

2. Ramos & Compean stated during the interrogation that they did NOT believe the suspect
was a threat at the time of the shooting.

3. Ramos & Compean stated that day they "wanted to shoot a Mexican".

4. Ramos & Compean were belligerent to investigators.

5.Ramos & Compean destroyed evidence and lied to investigators.



The DHS IG stated the Report of Investigation (ROI) would substantiate the statements
made at the September 26, 2006, meeting; and it would be released the first day post-
sentencing of the Agents, October 23, 2006. The DHS IG said these statements were made
to IG investigators during their investigation and they possessed substantiating
documentation. To date, DHS IG has provided no material substantiating these claims.

Subsequent to the DHS IG briefing on September 26, 2006, the following actions were taken by
My personal office and Investigations Subcommittee staff:

The week of October 6, 2007, at my direction, Investigations Subcommittee staff and my Chief of
Staff began discussions with the Judiciary Committee Subcommittee regarding the
status of the Judiciary Committee’s investigation and urged the Committee to exercise their
oversight and officially request the trial transcript from DoJ.

October 17, 2006, Judiciary Chairman Sensenbrenner formally requested the trial transcript from
DoJ. To date, the Committee has not received the transcript.

October 17, 2006, my office requested Nancy Scott-Finan and/or Rebecca Seidel (Deputy
Assistant’s AG’s at DOJ) to provide any information post sentencing, specifically trial
Transcripts and sworn statements by the Agents. DoJ responded they can provide some
Testimony, but not that of Ramos and Compean or their sworn statements.

Friday, October 20, 2006, Agents Ramos and Compean were sentenced to 11 and 12 years,
Respectively, at a federal penitentiary.

Monday, October 23, 2006, the first day the first day post sentencing, at my direction, the Investigations
Subcommittee requested the IG Report of Investigation (ROI) and substantiating documentation.
To their claims made September 26. DHS IG declined to release the ROI due to an expected
Appeals filing, despite earlier promises to release the report at this time. The same day, a
Letter from the Investigations Subcommittee was sent to DHS IG formally demanding the
IG substantiate to the Committee their assertions made on September 26 to Reps. McCaul,
Poe, Culberson, and Marchant and citing their refusal to do as unacceptable. (letter attached)

October 27, 2006, DHS IG Skinner sent an official DHS response to the subcommittee’s formal
demand. The Letter states the ROI is still being finalized, and the ROI also deals with potential
disciplinary action against 9 other border agents and cannot be released until the CBP concludes
its investigation.(letter attached).

November 1, 2006, Investigations Subcommittee staff contacted Judiciary Committee staff to
Discuss status of investigation. Judiciary Subcommittee staff sent an email request to DoJ for an
Expedited trial transcript. They were told they would receive it in two weeks.

The week of November 3, 2006, my office again requested DHS IG provide substantiating
Information to the meeting held September 26, 2006.DHS IG said it made a mistake in telling
The Members they would get the information immediately post sentencing and due to the
Potential appeals and disciplinary action against other CBP agents DoJ will need to review
The ROI and it would be at least 3 more weeks before any information can be provided.

November 7, 2006, at my direction Investigations Subcommittee staff again contacted DHS IG
To demand production and release of the ROI. The IG stated the ROI was under review by



CBP and DO declined their opportunity to review the ROI. The Subcommittee staff was told that
the CBP was reviewing the ROI to determine whether to take disciplinary action against other
agents at the scene on February 17, 2005 for failure to report the facts accurately. The Deputy IG
anticipated their review would be completed by Dec 18, but he said that date could slip, again. He
said he would keep the Subcommittee apprised of any new developments.

December 18, 2006, Investigations Subcommittee staff again contacted the Deputy IG regarding
release of the ROI. The Deputy IG stated that the ROI was still under CBP review, but would notify
The Subcommittee as to status or its release the following week.

The week of December 22, 2006, no status report was received by Subcommittee staff regarding
the ROI.

January 12, 2007, I spoke personally to DHS IG Skinner, and again, demanded the ROI and
Information substantiating their claims made in September to Members of Congress. The DHS
IG’s response was the ROI would not be produced due to the ongoing investigation and pending
Disciplinary action against other CBP agents involved in the incident DHS IG informed me I
would now need to file a FOIA request and obtain a waiver from both Ramos and Compean to get
The ROI and information substantiating their claims made in September. DHS IG further
Explained to me that, since my Chairmanship expired due to the change in the majority and the
110th Congress beginning, my previous request is no longer being considered.

January 16, 2007, Ramos and Compean were denied requests for bond during appeals process.

January 17, 2007, my office made repeated request for trial documents from US District Court for
the Western District of Texas in El Paso.

January 17, 2007, my office sent a FOIA request to DHS IG’s office for the ROI and
Substantiating information to their claims made in September 26, 2006.

January 17, 2007, my office requested, again, in writing, that DHS IG meet with Members of
Congress to provide the ROI and substantiating information to their claims made September 26,
2006.

January 18, 2007, I spoke personally t the DHS Secretary Chertoff to express my disbelief and
anger that DHS IG has made potentially misleading claims to Members of Congress and not
provided substantiating documentation as promised. Secretary Chertoff agreed to personally
speak to IG skinner.

It is patently clear to me, after five months of delay by the Department of Homeland Security,
That they have no intention of providing the information I requested to get the facts surrounding
the case.

This is a matter of Constitutional responsibility to provide oversight of the DHS and its need
to cooperate in that effort. During the 109th Congress, I had hoped to receive the information from
the DHS in efforts to decide if a Congressional hearing needed to occur to investigate the
incident, As stated above, no information was ever received, despite exhaustive efforts to obtain
it. I am hopeful that, within the next few weeks, we will receive the requested information and. In
a bi-partisan manner, decide if there is a need for a formal oversight hearing into this incident.

We should all work together to make sure that the investigation into this incident are brought to
light. Please join me in sending this letter from the Texas Delegation to Secretary Chertoff asking
him to direct DHS to produce the ROI and all other evidence relevant to the investigation of
Agents Ramos and Compean.


Sincerely


/s


Michael T McCaul

250 posted on 01/22/2007 7:39:52 PM PST by Issaquahking (Pardon Compean and Ramos Now!)

[Issaquahking]

The term is NiFonged.


See here

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Skip to comments.

Another Rogue Prosecutor? (Border Patrol Jailings)
Investor's Business Daily ^ | 22 Jan 2007 | Editorial staff

Posted on 01/22/2007 8:26:15 PM PST by Kitten Festival

Justice: As the president weighs pardoning two imprisoned Border Patrol agents, the explanation for their prosecution raises more questions than it answers. Is U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton another Mike Nifong or Patrick Fitzgerald?

In response to public and congressional protests against what is perceived as a grievous miscarriage of justice, Bush told KFOX-TV in El Paso, Texas, that he would "take a sober look at the case" of Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean.

The two have begun serving prison terms for assaulting a purportedly unarmed Mexican drug smuggler in a February 2005 incident, obstructing justice and violating the Fourth Amendment rights of an illegal alien. We hope Bush will take a long look, for some things about the case just don't add up.

In an interview with World Net Daily, prosecutor Sutton said the agents "shot 15 times at an unarmed man running away" after the smuggler first tried to surrender. Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila ran away only after Compean hit him with the butt of his shotgun.

(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com

[1rudeboy]

Sure, apart from the fact that Sutton secured convictions on 11 of 12 counts, and Nifong faces disbarrment and possible criminal/civil actions, I see the similarity. /s

[Issaquahking]

Duly noted in Rukes of credibility...0%. I don't see where over twenty years combined is any joking matter.

[MEGoody]

GREAT leaders create willing followers.

Most people will only follow a leader who gives them what they want. Since what people want is so varied, the more people one is trying to 'please' the more difficult it is to 'lead.'

Bush's approval ratings right now are around 22%.

For me, that doesn't carry a lot of weight. That approval rating came from the same nation that made "American Idol" the number one TV show. Doesn't say much for the mentality of most Americans.

You cannot claim that he is a great leader.

I never said he was a 'great leader'. I believe he is trying to do what he thinks is right. That's more important to me than convincing people to 'follow you' because you gave them what they want, regardless of whether what they want is best for them in the long run.

[MEGoody]

Today any felony suspect (rape, murder, child kidnapping, whatever), who is attempting to escape and is not directly posing an immediate deadly threat to public or the police cannot be shot.

Then whether we agree with the law or not, those border guards seem to have violated the law.

[P-Marlowe]

That approval rating came from the same nation that made "American Idol" the number one TV show.

That's a good show. It is a competition that squeezes the very best out of people week after week until there is only one man standing.

[P-Marlowe]

Then whether we agree with the law or not, those border guards seem to have violated the law.

If the law supposes that, then the law is a ass, a idiot! (Mr. Bumble from Oliver Twist)

[1rudeboy]

No, but claiming that absence of evidence is evidence of conspiracy riotously hilarious. Duly noted in your EEG chart...flatline.

[MEGoody]

That's a good show.

LOL Thank you for supporting my point.

[Pelham]

No cigar for you, tonto, unless LF is a woman. It's spelled exactly as I intended.

[DreamsofPolycarp]

There is no spanish word "puto." The closest thing is "maricon" or "mariposa"

[DreamsofPolycarp]

There is more to all of this than meets the eye. Go HERE for an interesting look not only at the sleazy tactics of the US Atty, but also at our heroic Border Patrol.

[Pelham]

There is no spanish word "puto."

Yeah, and you're a World Authority on Spanish, too.

I hear 'puto' about a dozen times a week from my mojado homeboys, and that's one of the tamer expressions. I'll be sure to tell them you say they don't know their own language.

[Pelham]

I'm curious if your worship of trial verdicts extends to the OJ Simpson trial?

When this finishes playing out we'll see how excited you'll be in defending your hero worship of Johnny Sutton, the paragon of US Attorney excellence. He's going to be lucky to escape being sanctioned for malicious prosecution. Better enjoy crowing about his success in jailing Ramos and Compean while you can.

[Rex Anderson]

Can you friggin believe this?

This reaction by these nuts is an embarrassment.

[Rex Anderson]

Your mention of the OJ trial is hilarious.

The evidence doesn't matter to you, even if the glove fits Ramos and Compean.

[Pelham]

Yeah, I thought the OJ comparison was pretty funny, too. It provides an entertaining counterpoint to your side's claim that the verdict is certain proof of guilt. Maybe you all can find some of the Dream Team to help Sutton quash the appeal.