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...................."
Good post!!
It is refreshing to see that there are still people, such as yourself, who do not allow their emotions to trump facts and commonsense. Excellent post, DoughtyOne.
Some of us believe that defending the country includes keeping our borders secure.
Blame Bush for Obama?!! ROFLMAO! BULL!
Of course the lefty loons will go bonkers - but who cares? They want Bush (and Cheney) arrested for alleged 'war crimes' the moment Obama is sworn in tomorrow. I guess they figure that once 'their guy' has the power of the presidency, he can immediately use it to destroy Bush and Cheney. I think they'll be disappointed. Barack Hussein Obama may be a hard-left hack politician but he isn't stupid. He has to know that there isn't a shred of evidence to support the kinds of crazy 'war crimes' accusations the loony left is making against Bush and Cheney. Besides, arresting a former president and charging him with alleged 'war crimes' would divide this nation in a way that might not be repairable.
Obama will 'look into it' for as long as he can hold off the loons, probably six months or so, then he'll claim that it looks as if Bush and his administration 'might have' committed various and sundry 'war crimes' (Obama won't discuss any details and the media won't ask for any) but, alas, those crafty Republican devils covered it up so well that there isn't enough evidence to prove anything. Obama will say this at a press conference while looking sad and serious, of course. Then it will just die a quick death, following a few post-mortems in the liberal press.
The transparent attempt is to use unfounded accusations , O.K., lies, to smear the Bush presidency, then, when asked to put their cards on the table, the left (using Obama as a mouthpiece) will simply pretend they 'could have' proved the charges but that, in their continuing evil ways, Bush and Cheney committed even more crimes by covering up 'the truth'. Right. And I could beat Arnold Schwarzenegger in arm wrestling then go out and beat Tiger Woods in a game of golf. Please.
Unfortunately, it will be many decades until President Bush receives fair, historically true treatment in any history of his administration. If Bush wants a 'legacy', his invasion of Iraq and appointment of two highly qualified Supreme Court Justices will have to suffice. I'll take it.
Commuted is probably better than pardoned in some respects. Both have filed appeals. They can get out of jail and hopefully overturn their convictions.
No, this shows a deep belief in giving deference to trial by jury. Scooter Libby's sentence was commuted also.
Yaaaaay!!
I just heard this now. Awesome move W.
Outstanding.
The pardon wipes the slate clean. These guys remain convicted felons the rest of their lives.
This was an absurd prosecution. A commutation shows you looked at the case, and it proves Bush the stubborn hard headed ass he can be.
Wow, you got me there. Since my native tongue is Pig Latin I guess that I must have missed the nuance of his comment.
PARDON - A remission of punishment or penalty without indicating exoneration from guilt.
A wonderful final act as President. Thank you President Bush!
Tomorrow, however, America goes into a 4-year coma....
They committed the crime of attempting to cover up a shooting, which was a stupid thing to do, when all other agents in similar situations (and even those who killed illegals) followed protocol and were cleared after review.
Commutation is appropriate for those who commit a crime but who are sentenced too harshly. Pardons should be for the innocent, not just because we don’t like how a case was handled. I doubt there’s anyone here who doesn’t despise this case’s history, but there are too many who think these two agents shouldn’t be bound by the same laws that their fellow agents were bound by.
They should have never been prosecuted in the first place.
I agree.
As if McCain was some sort of Bush disciple. He was Bush's chief GOP antagonist for eight years... he was the republican who Bush-haters admired and respected. He was THE anti-Bush.
And he got creamed by a cupcake.
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.