Blunt lauds Bush act of clemency. Was it enough?
Roy Blunt is pleased at clemency for border guards.
WASHINGTON — Unlike Bill Clinton, George W. Bush is being judicious with pardons.
Indeed, Bush, who intends to fly home to Texas tomorrow about 12:30 St. Louis time, has rejected requests for high-profile pardons for the likes of former vice presidential adviser Lewis “Scooter” Libby and others.
But Bush made some news today with one act, commuting prison sentences of US border patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean, who were convicted for shooting an unarmed Mexican drug smuggler in the rear end in a case that drew wide attention.
In 2006, Ramos got 11 years and Compean 12 years, triggering an outcry from supporters who claimed that the agents were being treated too harshly.
Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., asserted this afternoon that their clemency “was a long time coming … While these two men were not pardoned, as many believe they should have been, I am glad their unnecessarily harsh and simply unnecessary sentences were at the very least commuted.”
Thank you President Bush. You are a fine man
I’m grateful that Agents Ramos and Compean are to be released, but they deserve a pardon, and to be reinstated. These two brave men were doing their job, while corrupt officials were cutting deals with Mexican drug dealers and their paid stooges in Mexico.
I will continue to pray that the supreme court overturns these sentences and charges.
I too wish that Ramos and Compean were pardoned but maybe the President felt that the convictions would be overturned by the SCOTUS. Unlike his predecessor who would pardon the most obvious criminals…err…friends.You may not have liked his politics but President Bush at least was an honorable man guided by principles and not polls. I’m sure this will be perfect fodder for the Bush haters.
Bush is a dipstick born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He appoints U.S. attorneys. Why would he care about somebody who is railroaded by one of the cronies he appointed. THAT is the problem.
I think you will see the US Atty. was not a Bush appointment.
He did miss the boat by not giving a 100% pardon for two brave men doing what was asked of them. Sort of like the nut jobs who (Murfa-Kerry) who want to bring our soldiers up on charges that are trumped up.
Scooter Libby should have received a pardon. He was railroaded by the left liars and the drive by media.
Same reason, I will not cut Obama one bit of slack.
This is just typical of Bush bravery– shooting a person in the back, but it’s OK in Bush land. Jesus would have done the same. This is what would be expected by someone responsible for the murder of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi women and child by Bush’s Storm Troopers. When are Bush, Cheney and Rumsfelt scheduled for trial as war criminals?
Finally commuting the sentences of Ramos and Compean is one of the few accomplishments of this sorry presidency. JC, I know you are in the 22% still enamored with Bush, but that doesn’t excuse your failure to understand that all of the US Attorneys were appointed by W. You repugs just don’t get it…the real CHANGE Obama is bringing to our country is COMPETENCE!
devil cat,
Glad to see you won’t be joining the military anytime soon. You know, the people in uniform who defend/protect your sorry butt. Proud Dem, If BHO’s recent cabinet picks are any sign of the “change to come”, we are in for it. Really, a Treasurey Nominee who ducked paying taxes???? Is this the competence you speak of??