Well, it is not the pardon we wanted, or, quite frankly, that they deserve, but, it is at least something
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.
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.
Compean and Ramos, who have served about two years of their sentences, are expected to be released from prison within the next two months.
Hey, almost President Obama, how about helping out and issuing a pardon for these two by the end of the week? You want conservatives to give you a chance, this would certainly help! BTW, I am not kidding. I have been following this issue since it began, and have done more calling and petitions then for any other political issue then I ever have done.
Keep an eye on Grassfire.org, which has been instrumental and deeply involved in the issue, with plenty of contact with the Compean and Ramos families.
My buddy Beth says “I suppose this is progress … not perfection … but progress.”
More: Hot Air has video of Compean and Ramos’ wives.
Links to many reactions at Memeorandum.
So, one border agent shoots an unarmed man, and the other helps to cover it up (both illegal), and you want them pardoned why?