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...................."
Thanks to all who helped these Men gain their freedom be ye polidiot, presstitute or patriot !
Thank the lord they get to come home to their families !
“Funny how so many of you cannot give the President any credit for anything.
Guess you have had the hate Bush syndrome same as the democrats.
Well - some of us appreciate the fact we had a man in the White House that would defend the country and do the very best he could. We no longer have that.
We no longer will sleep well at night during any crisis.
I thank God we had President Bush.”
Deserves to be said again.
Many here need to spew their stuff at DU, course they may have already done that!
Some probably would have rather had A Gore OR JF Kerry (the one who was in nam) in office too, just to punish the Republicans.
Well, We have 4 years to remember their choice for President and senate now.
I am grateful for what you and your friends did for these men.......Thank You !
YEESSSSSSS! It’s about time!!!
Hmmmhhh, seems to me there was a President who had to resign for the same thing!
How many times have we heard; "It's not the crime, its the COVER-UP"?
Thank You Mr. President.
No, Bush didn’t vote O in. ALL those wanting to “punish” the republicans did.
THEY get to look at O for the next 4 years and the lovely senate, house D E M O C R A T S.
enjoy...
Wonderful! Thank you President Bush!!
It’ll do!
What a crock.
Finally!
Well, I call ‘em as I see ‘em. I sometimes get it wrong too, but you’ll continute to see me post what think it is the sound opinion on matters.
You take care. I appreciate the response.
The Democratic Party Reagan belong to was far, far, more conservative then todays GOP will ever again hope to be. The GOP is dead. Two Bushes and congress of the Liberal side have destroyed it.
Remember too that the GOP was born on a Liberal and strong central government assuming absolute powes platform written to appease the northern industrialist of that era and carry out their trade agenda. Lincoln in effect destroyed the States Rights the founders and framers intended for this nation. How ironic the GOP made a complete circle and returned to it's ill conceived Liberal roots at the expense of the nations very survival.
Would you if you were in their places?
How ever did you get that out of what I wrote?
I don't think they have the option to turn it down, it's a done deal period.
Bush's failure to do the correct thing, as happens so often, that is the embarrassment.
Now for the rest of it. He expected congress to pass strict limitations following this. It never happened not even the Class of 1995 GOP followed through. Reagan was no where near the open borders shill Bush nad his Pappy have been. Bush left us vunerable for one reason. To please those wnting very cheap labor and our national security be damned for it.
Did you ever support W?
IOW Reagan got hoodwinked.
Title should read:
Bush Commutes Sentences of Two Border Agents Convicted of Shooting an Unarmed Man in the Back Who Had Refused to Obey a Direct Order to 'Stop'...as He was Fleeing Back to Mexican Border.
There....fixed it.
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