Presidential Pardons

Article 2, Section 2 of the United States Constitution grants U.S. Presidents authority to "have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."

I'm not sure how I feel about this absolute Presidential authority. But it is what it is, so we have to deal with the repercussions.

Today, President Bush granted 14 such pardons. He's granted 171 pardons in his almost 8 years. President Clinton granted more than twice as many in his eight years---the final ones having created considerable controversy for their blatant political motives. I'm sure Bush will have some friends to pardon as well. He's already commuted the sentence of Scooter Libby--convicted for his role in the Valerie Plame CIA "leak". My guess is he'll pardon him outright on his way out the door. I would.

There are others more deserving of a pardon, however. In particular, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, former border partrol agents, were sentenced to 11 years and 12 years, respectively, after being convicted in 2006 of shooting a convicted Mexican drug smuggler.

Yes, they tried to cover it up--not the smartest thing to do. But their arrest and subsequent conviction made our borders less safe, made the jobs of border patrol agents even harder, and increased the danger of an already-dangerous job. Ramos and Compean should be pardoned. If Bush fails to do so, he should be ashamed. Many lawmakers agree.

--G