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...................."
I despise the foreign nationals who are gaming the system on your borders. I want them shut down immediately. I want the federal government to put and end to it, and man up to it’s responsibility to keep the states from being invaded.
That being said, these comments are not going to be a popular comment here, but here goes anyway.
Lethal force should only be used when your life is on the line. You don’t shoot someone in the back. There are other matters concerning this case that I found troubling. The men were convicted. I didn’t like it, I thought the penalty imposed was too severe. I still thought the guys had stepped over the line doing I job I want to be able to support them doing. I cannot support them when they shoot people in the back and take other measures that are illegal to avoid prosecution.
I am glad Bush commuted their sentences. I wish this situation had been avoided from the very get-go. At least they can get on with their lives now.
The criminal they shot should have been prosecuted to the full extent of the law. He is the one who should be sitting in a prison cell right now, and for a long time to come.
For two years yes. For the other six? No! Bush had a majority then he himself played Demolite. This is no excuse for the policies and actions of congress or GW Bush. You must remember also no POTUS in history except for FDR had their Executive Branch and it's powers expanded more by congress than GW Bush. He and congress during his term both sides were a miserable Liberal Bipartisan failure. The GOP itself is a Blasted Disgrace which can not be defended any longer.
Done deal. There will be no more pardons/commutations.
A pardon is better. I spoke with a friend earlier and she told me the same. I missed that day in Law School ;).
Good news. Bush seems scrupulous in using his pardon power - unwilling to overturn lawful convictions arrived at through the legal process, but willing to use his power to mitigate injustice. This is what the pardon power was designed for. Contrast this with Obama’s new A.G. nominee, who successfully recommended a full pardon for Marc Rich, a fugitive DNC donor who was No. 2 on the FBI’s most wanted list.
Agreed. At least they can be with their families.
I big Thank You President Bush
Mine too. I said a prayer this morning that Bush would relent and show these men some much deserved mercy.
Brother obama will take care of that one
I’m glad they will be getting out of jail soon. However, they should have been pardoned and given their jobs back. They will still not be able to get their jobs back. I think both of them still have their wives waiting for them (which is good). I hope that some law enforcement agency will hire them. They deserve it.
“You don’t shoot someone in the back.”
I normally find that I agree with your sentiments. But someone who followed the case should at least know where the smuggler was hit.
If I am not mistaken, your butt cheeks are in the back. So, his comments were pretty accurate.
What would you do? A man shoots or aims harm at you and your friends and then runs & ducks across the border? This situation evolved because neither party and no POTUS in the last 20 years would do what needed doing on our borders. The congress like Bush Pandered to illegals. I give these two the benifit of the doubt and support their right to self defense yes in the situation along the border even as far as shooting in the back. That is western mythical Code of the west origin B.S.law anyway.
On our southern border we are taling about a war zone type situation where no laws prevail except a strong show of force. The Mexican citizens and government will kill their own along the border how much more so a man wearing a uniform trying to defend it?
This is terrific news. So glad to hear it and glad the president finally saw the light!!! Congratulations to they and their families. I pray they can find decent employment and repair the damage to their lives. Maybe some good conservatives can find a place for them, working for a good company.
I was glad to see this. Of course I noticed the Fox News guy who inputs the Breaking News headline first wrote Bush pardon the agents and then he had to change it to commute the sentences. The wives of these two agents will be on the Glen Beck show tonight at 5PM EST. Also, three cheers for Mike Gallagher who said on his radio show that he was one of the conservatives who met with Bush last week and he asked Bush to consider pardoning/commuting these two agents.
For what? Thanks to not issuing a full pardon these two men can't even legally hunt with a firearm much less be law enforcement officers again. As convicted felons I doubt they can vote either.
If he in fact aimed a weapon or fired it at the officers, I would agree he was fair game. It has been a while since I read the circumstances in full.
Did he shoot at them, or level a gun at them. If so, these men should never have served an hour in jail and they should be reinstated.
As for your comments about Bush and the other political figures who have abdicated their duty or oath of office, I’d wouldn’t mind seeing them prosecuted.
Is it a felony to violate your oath of office? I wish it were.
Thank God. This proves Bush is crazy but a total lunatic.
Nice try, but “shot in the back” has a different connotation than “shot in the butt” for those of us who speak English- as opposed to those who speak propaganda. Which ignores the fact that he was hit in the left side of his butt cheek, indicating that he was turned back at the time he was hit.
Waiting with you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.