Posted on 02/13/2007 2:55:41 PM PST by calcowgirl
White House spokesman Tony Snow says he wants "cooler heads" to prevail and "facts" to be presented in the flaring dispute over the sentences imposed on two former U.S. Border Patrol agents.
Snow was responding to a question from WND correspondent Les Kinsolving at the daily White House press briefing yesterday.
Kinsolving asked: "Sen. (Dianne) Feinstein has been authorized by Judiciary Committee Chairman (Patrick) Leahy to lead a Senate investigation of the case of former U.S. Border Patrol Agent Ignacio Ramos, who was assaulted by four other inmates in the federal prison in Yazoo City, Miss., about which Sen. Feinstein said this – and this is a quote – 'I urge the committee to look into why these agents are not being protected in the federal prison system. It is not hard to predict that two federal agents would be targeted in a prison population.'
(snip)
"You know, this is a time when cooler heads ought to prevail and facts ought to be presented," Snow replied. "Therefore, we're perfectly happy with anything that will reveal the facts of this case. I think there are efforts ongoing and may yield fruit quite soon to get the full transcripts of the trial of agents Campion and Ramos out before the public, every syllable. You and your guys can read them. You know, obviously, we're concerned about the safety of anybody in the prison system."
The two agents were charged, tried and convicted of shooting a fleeing drug smuggler in the buttocks. They were given sentences of 11 and 12 years in jail, while federal prosecutors granted the drug smuggler immunity to return to the United States and testify against the law enforcement officers. The circumstances of the case have outraged many concerned over the problems of illegal immigration and running drugs from Mexico into the United States. Dozens of members of Congress as well as several activist groups have called for the officers to be pardoned.
The White House so far has rejected those demands.
(snip)
Obvious to Agent Ramos
That is definitely bad news.
You have no idea if Bush is going to pardon them or not.
The transcripts were released on Friday, correct? You expect Mr. Snow to take Mr. Kinsolving by the hand and walk him to the courthouse? I'm sure Mr. Kinsolving describes himself as a reporter (personally, I disagree).
I was very disappointed in Snow for taking the job, and he hasn't let me down in the that belief since.
On this one, I am betting their convictions will be overturned either on Appeal or with a new trial and that All Charges will be dropped and fast. This is a travesty of Justice and a railroad job and something really stinks the High Heaven.
Bush had time over the Christmas holidays to pardon five drug dealers...
he sure as hell can find time to pardon two BP agents just doing their jobs...
I've become verrrrrrry tired of the spinning Snow-job & Bushit.
Very true. More sealed stuff was filed Friday, according to the court docket.
"Tone deaf," yes. On immigration and so many other things, the White House doesn't get it.
Tony Snow is definitely an improvement over McClellan, but even he doesn't get it many times.
"Waah! Tony Snow doesn't spend every waking minute following my pet issue! Waah!"
"Bushit"
I've been displeased with a number of things President Bush has said and done over the past couple of years, but I never thought I'd see this here. If I were a mod, I'd zot it on general principle. It's disgusting.
And the few reports that it was not heavily redacted, including the ones that link to the actual report itself instead of engaging in hearsay, are largely ignored.
No, not released Friday--filed Friday. It became public info when placed on the court record yesterday.
Given the prior promises of the White House to look at the transcripts, I would have expected the WH to be informed about the filing if it had been communicated as a matter of importance (and hence TS to know that as of his statements). Apparently that is not the case.
Thanks for the ping.
One wonders why no one was asking for "cooler heads" while the ex-BP was being beaten in prison.
I'm very disappointed in our administration in how they're handling this.
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