[Lion Den Dan]

Commuted sentence??? I think this ltill leaves them as convicted fellons with no right to own fire arms, vote or work in law enforcement.

[JOAT]

Commuted sentence??? I think this ltill leaves them as convicted fellons with no right to own fire arms, vote or work in law enforcement.

Yes, pardons were the correct answer, but this is better than 10 more years in prison under the Zero administration.

[CindyDawg]

I believe they can still appeal.

[Steamburg]

You think right, Commutation does not remove the taint of conviction and leaves them open to civil sanctions as well as criminal sanctions. You also left out that as convicted felons they will not automatically get their right to vote restored.
This decision is not unlike many of the Bush Decisions, calculated to almost do the right thing while giving the left a victory.
Sadly, he lacked the foresight to use a crisis to consolidate power. He was given so many chances and squandered them all.

[rhinohunter]

I think this ltill[sic] leaves them as convicted fellons[sic] with no right to own fire arms, vote or work in law enforcement.

That's OK... they can earn a lot more jack in the private sector and/or Conservative movement as American Heroes.

[sam_paine]

Commuted sentence??? I think this ltill leaves them as convicted felons

True. They are convicted felons. They are convicted felons because they were convicted of breaking the law. Bush appropriately mitigated their sentence in light of the mitigating circumstance.