Ramos and Compean to be freed? Not until March 20th says outgoing President Bush.
In a last ditch effort to save some face, Bush elected not to pardon the gentlemen, rather commute their sentences to a reduced sentence - releasing them on March 20th of 2009.
Bush's efforts simply reflect his lack of enthusiasm in border security, US/Mexico relations, and common sense.
I take that back - Bush has worked on US/Mexico relations... unfortunately every effort has been to benefit the Mexican people and government with little to better serve the United States.
The end of an era, indeed.
The good news is that they are finally going home to their families. At least that's going to happen.
ReplyDeleteBut it is as you say.
Here, play a few rounds of this. I helped me:
http://www.aksalser.com/game.htm
As I understand it, even the wives of the agents weren't calling for a pardon. A pardon supposedly entails an admission of guilt. Commutation at least lets Ramos and Compean continue their legal fight to clear their names.
ReplyDeleteThough he waited until the absolute 11th hour, Bush in the end honored their request. And I'm glad he did.
It's hard to argue with your assessment of the outgoing president's misguided immigration policies.
Ben -
ReplyDeleteYou are right on about the Pardon admitting guilt... allowing the legal appeal may be the harder road, but it is the higher road... unfortunately, a pardon would have cleared these guys of their felony conviction, and allowed a quicker transition back into "normalcy"... and a commuted sentence is going to result in years of legal battles while unable to hold a number of jobs in support of their families...
It is now clearly a long row to hoe... but at least they are out and with their families... there is a sunny side to this story.