Posted on 01/17/2008 11:37:31 PM PST by pissant
Two California Republican congressmen yesterday called on President Bush to pardon two former U.S. Border patrol agents sent to prison a year ago this week for shooting a drug-smuggling suspect in the buttocks as he fled back into Mexico.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher accused Mr. Bush of being "arrogant and heartless" for refusing to pardon or commute the sentences of former agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean, who were ordered last January to serve 11- and 12-year prison sentences, respectively.
He said they had spent the past year in solitary confinement "suffering conditions worse than detainees at Guantanamo Bay.
"It has been a year since Border Agents Ramos and Compean entered prison," Mr. Rohrabacher said. "This marks a year of shame for President Bush, who has been fully aware of the details of this blatant miscarriage of justice and chosen to do absolutely nothing about it.
"The president has shown us his arrogant and heartless side by permitting the wrongful incarceration of Ramos and Compean to continue," he said.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, a Republican presidential candidate who in- troduced a still-pending bill last year to pardon the agents, said Congress and the American people have "repeatedly expressed their outrage that such an injustice has been allowed to occur."
"These agents were convicted solely on the testimony of the drug dealer, who has since been indicted on federal drug charges for running drugs into the United States while serving as a federal witness," Mr. Hunter said. "Most disturbingly, he did so with border crossing cards he obtained for his cooperation."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Thank you so much for pinging me. This is something that has to be taken care of, it is horrible what has happened to these Agents. Unforgivable.
Maybe, but the law does not specifically state this. It could be amended to clarify but Hunter and Rohrbacher are having too much fun and getting too much friendly PR to end this zoo by submitting such clarifying legislation.
How come so many people on FR spend so much time demanding a pardon or a commutation when the easiest and quickest way to get R&C released and to protect LEO’s from all future danger of this poorly written legislation is demand the same from Hunter and Rohrbacher?
Is it because this issue is the Golden Goose that lays so many PR eggs for the immigration movement?
It’s sad if immigration enthusiasts are more concerned about beating their PR drums than freeing Ramos and Compean. They could have been home with their families THIS CHRISTMAS.
I’m on board for Duncan until he either wins or drops out.
You obviously know nothing about Hunter if you have this opinion of him. If there is ANYONE in the house that walks the walk it is Hunter. He is on the record saying that that law does not apply to Ramos and Compean, as is Rohrbacher, Poe and a whole host of very smart people.
That may very well be true, but it is only their opinion. While this issue winds it’s way through the court system (which may not end in victory), while Ramos and Compean wait for their possible appeal (which may also not end in victory), they rot in prison.
All I’m asking, and NO ONE is answering, is why hasn’t anyone taken the easiest and quickest route to solve this dilemma?
So it comes down to you to answer. No more obfuscation, no more diversions, why hasn’t this option been attempted much less discussed?
It’s like it isn’t even on the radar at all. There must be a reason why.
Have you talked to Hunter about it? Or Rohrbacher. Call their congressional offices. At Hunter’s office, ask for Vicki Middleton.
Yeah, its a bit grating, but Bob J has an interesting idea. I don’t like his characterization of Hunter, but it is not a bad idea to revisit that law and put in more specificity and a retroactive component. Hell, I’m for anything that could potentially spring these guys.
Let me tell you something about a retrial...it could end up worse for R&C and why I question the motives, if not the sanity, of people demanding one. If the justices hearing the appeal rule the 10 year mand out and give them a new trial, they are still on the hook for the assault and obstruction of justices charges. During the first trial and because of the 10 year mand, the judge did everything she could to minimize the sentences on these issues, only giving 1 and 2 years.
At a new trial the judge won’t be so constrained and may want to make an example of R&C and throw the book at them. And don’t believe this is not a possibility. There is no doubt, IMO, Ramos and Compean lied about what happened out there that day and no doubt Compean engaged in a cover up and destruction of evidence. Compeans cover up cost two other Border Agents their jobs and the judge and jury will take this into consideration.
If Hunter were to introduce legislation on the 10 year mand that gets R&C off the hook, they are out of jail as soon as their other time on the other charges is up. In other words, the one and two years remain as they are and cannot be increased.
So why would people support 2 strategies that may end up worse for R&C instead of the clean cut route?
The system didn’t work. The legal world is replete with lawyers trying to make a name and money for themeselves at the expense of justice.
By the way the Constitution says nothing about shooting or not shooting an invader.
The agents should be released immediately and the fact that they haven’t; speaks volumes for this lame President.
How do you know they “know this”. They BOTH said the law does not apply NOW.
A new trial should be dismissed because of the tainted witness. Zero credibility. ZERO. The last thing in the world Johnny wants is a retrial.
How come every time a pro-pardon poster is confronted with disturbing questions they can’t answer they reach for the childish ad hominem character assassination?
I know it makes you think you’ve scored a point and gives you a warm feeling in that special spot, but it is intellectually vapid.
“By the way the Constitution says nothing about shooting or not shooting an invader.”
You can’t be that ignorant.
Go ahead...make my day. You couldn’t be naive enough to mention the 4th...?
Read this carefully before you make a further fool of yourself:
...nothing in the US Constitution about how an INVADER should or should not be treated.
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/01/18/giuliani_firm_tied_to_monitoring_developer/7428/
Giuliani firm tied to monitoring developer
Published: Jan. 18, 2008 at 12:39 PM
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NEW YORK, Jan. 18 (UPI) — Rudy Giuliani failed to mention that his firm was once part owner of a maker of electronic monitoring devices the former New York mayor has been touting.
For nearly a year, the Republican presidential primary candidate has been promoting the installation of such devices at the U.S. border as a means of stemming illegal immigration, The New York Times reported Friday.
Until last fall, the newspaper said Giuliani and his consulting company were part owners of SkyWatch L.L.C., a start-up company that reports developing a sensor capable of monitoring illegal border crossings. Giuliani Partners ended its financial relationship with SkyWatch in September without receiving any compensation.
Giuliani has never mentioned his involvement with the firm in his ads or campaign appearances.
SkyWatch, in collaboration with military contractor Raytheon, is seeking to market the sensor technology to the federal government.
Industry analysts told the Times the technology has a lucrative future.
He is one big worm in the big apple.
Would you trust Senator Tom Coburn?
Perhaps, but he just endorsed McCain.
Ahhh, so you’re one of those that believe when our founders said “we are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights and that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness..” God was only talking about American citizens.
How quaint of God to make one set of rules for us and another for the other 6 billion of his children.
By your admission any of us could walk up to any non citizen and shoot them with no legal repercussions.
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