Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Pardon Me, Mister President? No pardons?


click to enlarge the president

By Pablo Fanque
All This Is That National Affairs Editor

President George W. Bush has now taken his "victory lap." made the rounds to speak to various governmental agencies, and given a televised farewell. Just about all that's left for POTUS to do is issue his pardon and immunity list. I just heard that he will hand out virtually no pardons or immunity blankets? Is that even possible? He never has been big on pardons, unlike his Dad (who had a couple of humdingers). He might even have a record for fewest pardons.

Finally, yesterday, he did grant early prison releases to two ex-U.S. Border Patrol agents whose convictions for shooting a Mexican drug dealer ignited a gnarly national debate over illegal immigration.

Bush, caved in to pressure from both sides of the aisle, and commuted the prison sentences of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. The two guards from El Paso, Texas, were each sentenced to more than 10 years for the shooting.

George Bush has given far fewer pardons than most of his predecessors. And yet, many of his former minions, aides, and associates could possibly be prosecuted for their actions. Will the President issue a broad blanket pardon, or cloak of immunity, to many people, or just select a small subset of his loyal henchmen and donors? It looks like neither. Just a couple of border guards. It only took eight years for The ex-President to execute a real class move.
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