Sentences of Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean Commuted

I'm sorry, but to me this reeks of toying with the families of these men, and it does not possess the waft of true sincerity. Methinks this was a very last minute "oh, what the hell," on the part of President Bush.

Granted, we must take what we can get with regard to the mistreatment of these two men -- as contrasted to our treatment of Illegal Invaders to this country. Citizens vs. non-citizens.

However, I should care to define a commuted sentence, and executive clemency:

Commutation:

commutation n. the act of reducing a sentence resulting from a criminal conviction by the executive clemency of the Governor of the State, or President of the United States in the case of federal crimes. This is not the same as a pardon which wipes out the conviction or the actual or potential charge (as when President Gerald R. Ford pardoned ex-President Richard M. Nixon even without charges having been officially made--a rare instance). A pardon implies either that the conviction was wrong, that there has been complete rehabilitation of the party, or that he/she has lived an exemplary life for many years and deserves to have his/her name cleared in old age. Commutation implies the penalty was excessive or there has been rehabilitation, reform, or other circumstances such as good conduct or community service. Commutation is sometimes used when there is evidence that the defendant was not guilty but it would prove embarrassing to admit an outright error by the courts. (See: executive clemency, pardon)

Executive Clemency:

executive clemency n. the power of a President in federal criminal cases, and the Governor in state convictions, to pardon a person convicted of a crime, commute the sentence (shorten it, often to time already served), or reduce it from death to another lesser sentence. There are many reasons for exercising this power, including real doubts about the guilt of the party, apparent excessive sentence, humanitarian concerns such as illness of an aged inmate, to clear the record of someone who has demonstrated rehabilitation or public service, or because the party is a political or personal friend of the Governor.

To me, the singular point is that President Bush believed the USBP agents were in fact guilty and deserving of their punishment. Many persons were rallying for Mr. Bush to become involved in commutation from the very first day of the sentences. Yet, he chose to wait until his very last day in office for commutations.

For a man who has heretofore shown much consideration and even love to the warriors who fight for this country, I think it shameful that he could not find it within his heart to lend more consideration to those who fight on our borders. The border forces, both civil and military, strive to accomplish the same set of goals as those who fight in far-off lands: to keep this country safe. The difference being, Ramos and Compean -- oddly enough, both of Mexican stock themselves -- were tasked with keeping our nation safe domestically. Does this make the task any less daunting, any less important? I think not.

While I will agree that, overall, Mr. Bush kept this country safe since 9/11, I am sorely conflicted about many of his works during the past two terms. I won't rehash what many before me have done, some for a week or more. Nor will I stand up and stick a pin in his likeness. I will say, however, that when all the political prairie winds were convergent, when the stars were in alignment and the tides proper, today's administration failed to take advantage of a power situation -- and oh yes, Congress as well, they'll not be excused! -- and take this nation to an entirely higher level.

It hurts me to say and know that, in truth, when I rail against the recent massive and disporportionate and illogical spending of taxpayer dollars in bailouts and such, the GOP certainly can be said to have blazed that trail.

Good luck, America, come tomorrow.

We all shall certainly need it in every form of every blessing.

BZ