Posted on 01/19/2009 9:58:40 AM PST by E.G.C.
Edited on 01/19/2009 10:46:59 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
WASHINGTON – In his final acts of clemency, President George W. Bush on Monday commuted the prison sentences of two former U.S. Border Patrol agents whose convictions for shooting a Mexican drug dealer ignited fierce debate about illegal immigration.
Bush's decision to commute the sentences of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, who tried to cover up the shooting, was welcomed by both Republican and Democratic members of Congress. They had long argued that the agents were merely doing their jobs, defending the American border against criminals. They also maintained that the more than 10-year prison sentences the pair was given were too harsh.
Rancor over their convictions, sentencing and firings has simmered ever since the shooting occurred in 2005.
Ramos and Compean became a rallying point among conservatives and on talk shows where their supporters called them heroes. Nearly the entire bipartisan congressional delegation from Texas and other lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle pleaded with Bush to grant them clemency.
Bush didn't pardon the men for their crimes, but decided instead to commute their prison sentences because he believed they were excessive and that they had already suffered the loss of their jobs, freedom and reputations, a senior administration official said.
The action by the president, who believes the border agents received fair trials and that the verdicts were just, does not diminish the seriousness of their crimes, the official said...................."
Oh, and she said little Trig got glasses, said he looks like a little Michelin man with glasses...
This issue also hurt the Republican Party. I bet the Ramoses and Compeans never vote Republican again even if they have in the past. The agents may have problems finding suitable employment.
I’m at work, just read Drudge and am in tears. THANK YOU GOD. THANK YOU W !!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s just that GWB betrayed conservatives so flagrantly and often in this disastrous second termn that it is hard to acknowledge this positive development. I would have preferred an outright pardon at least after three months in the slammer.
Their wives are both on live with Glenn Beck right this minute! Said the producers are who told them about this.
Great! Will they be out of jail soon then?
He didn’t PARDON them, he commuted their sentence because it was obsessive, he felt they were guilty, just the sentence was not fair! — more than the danged drug dealer got and HE kept carrying drugs while the trial was ongoing.
I voted for GWB four times in general elections but regret having done so. He did not perform as a conservative.
Not for two months!
No, as felons they cannot work for law enforcement in any capacity. They will have to start all over with employment. Bet they become Democrat
Blame yourself, don't blame him.
You should’ve paid closer attention.
As felons, they cannot run for office.
You know, this commutation could be a death sentence because the former agentgs cannot own a firearm to protect themselves from the criminal element. So, GWB is again in error.
Reagan made mistakes. But Reagan was the last true Leader this nation has had. He was a fighter. He didn't say oh I give up because of congress. He took issues to the people. He used the press to do so. In that he was brilliant and earned respect of all. No man in history of the office accomplished what he did because he had a spine to him. He had people pressuring lawmakers. He won many fights doing so.
What does W do? Oh Hi Teddy let's make some deals. You pass my pro-China and Pro-Mexico trade bills and I'll be the DEMs Good Buddy. I'll also be LBJ's return on social issues. Bush acted in office exactly what he said he would do in 2000 and the blind sheep would not listen to Conservatives sounding the warnings. Now who was hoodwinked? Well Bush ran as a Liberal. It's a shame Republicans were too blasted and love struck from media influence & lazy to even read his speech text to see for themselves. I read them and No I did not vote for Bush in any election.
Hi, AC!
I didn’t claim he pardoned them. He commuted their sentences because it was excessive...not ‘obsessive’.
They lied under oath, filed a false official statement, and attempted to hide the shooting from supervisors.
It was APPEALED. The guilty verdict was upheld!
If you have a problem with that....blame Congress, not Sutton.
OH, Yes, I fully understand what you are saying. There are things I didn’t like too.
I just refuse... R E F U S E to totally TRASH this President. He DID many good things too.
Do you think you could compare his 8 years to the Democrats and find ANYTHING NICE to say about this President as he is leaving office?
I hope so.
We are looking at 4 years of...
never mind
Bet they become Democrat
Do you have any indications that they weren’t already?. I’ve not seen anything one way or the other but it would be interesting to see which party primaries they voted in assuming they voted.
He commuted their sentences because it was excessive...not ‘obsessive’.
LOL.....
Well there have been some that have ‘obsessed’ over it also.
I was waiting for that.
Bush wants them to die, right?
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