Bush says NO to Ramos and Compean

United States President George W. Bush does not plan to pardon Border Guards Ramos and Compean, stating he is 'good friends' with U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton. He went on to say the border guards were "convicted by a jury of their peers". Yeah, and so was Lewis Scooter Libby, Mr. Prez. Funding is down in the Republican party because you have not listened to the voters on illegal immigration. I expect funding will drop even more after this.

"I'm not going to make that kind of promise in a forum like this," Bush said at the event, which was intended to focus on his budget and economic policies. "I know it's an emotional issue, but people need to look at the facts. These men were convicted by a jury of their peers after listening to the facts."

He referred to the prosecutor in the case, U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, as "my friend," and called him "an even-handed guy."

Anti-immigration groups have taken up the cause of Compean and Ramos, lobbying lawmakers and the White House. Several members of Congress also are urging the president to pardon the two former agents. Those calls increased after Bush commuted the sentence of former aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby in the CIA leak case. (more)

Free the Border Guards (Hat Tip Susie of My Country - My View [Susie's daughter could use your prayers also.)

Others:

The Virtuous Republic Legislation that should be considered, and Is Bush getting the message

Common Sense America, Amnesty is back on the table

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email stiknstein-at-gmail-dot-com and let us know at what level you would like to participate**
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Comments

[Ralph E.]

Snake Hunters Sez,

Bush Is Correct In Confronting Offensive Jihad;
It's a 1400 yr old Kill- Culture.

He Is Dead Wrong when he fails to protect his Border
Guards! Period. reb

www.lazyonebenn.blogspot.com

[Thomas Hamilton]

GWB is so worried about the rule of law when it pertains to these border agents but he doesn't give a hoot in hell about the rule of law when it comes to defending our borders and enforcing immigration law.

I'v tried to support GWB for the last 6+ years but no more. It is time for him to go.

He and every member of congress that refuses to protect our borders should be impeached.

[Debbie]

Rastaman, you make the point perfectly. Bush doesn't want the border secure, he wants it open for the North American Union. I've said it many times.

And believe me, these two border guards are not the only ones that Sutton has screwed. I have gotten several emails from people, not just border buards, that he has ruined their lives.

A.C., excessive is right!

[Rastaman]

Well, I think the border guards should have been sentenced to death by slow strangulation on the White House steps while being nationally televised. (Foam, rant, spit) and furthermore they should have their fingernails pulled out and the drug smuggler should be given a gold Hero medal encrusted with diamonds.

Come on. You think those two are the only Border Patrol that asshole "even-handed" Johnny Sutton has falsely prosecuted into prison? HE'S MAKING A CAREER OF PROSECUTING TEXAS BORDER PATROLMEN!!! Those 2 poor saps were just the first of many. He's a FRIEND OF BUSH'S. BUSH SAID SO. Bush appointed him! Bush sent him there to terrorize the Border Patrol into NOT doing their jobs.

Honestly... doesn't anyone pay attention anymore?

Rastaman

[A.C. McCloud]

That's the problem with commuting Libby's sentence (which I agreed with because he should not have served one day in jail for a political stunt), it opens a can of worms that is hard to close.

Bush is correct--there was a jury trial and they made a decision based on evidence. And going around commuting or pardoning would subvert the justice system no doubt (much better to wait til 15 minutes before the handover of power like Clinton did).

But the people aren't buying it. The border guys' sentences were certainly "excessive" as well.

[Debbie]

You are most welcome, Bryan

HMS (No More Spin), I agree with you that the punishment was much to strong, if they are guilty of the charges.

But as I listened to the Congressional hearings, I learned things I did not know before.

They failed to pick up their "brass", the congressional witnesses said this was wrong. Part of what they did was simply not filling out the proper paperwork. That surely doesn't need 12 years in prison?

There is much more to this story than we know.

I agree that Bush has done a terrible job at border security.

The illegal drug runner made out like a bandit ... oh wait, that's exactly what he was.

[NMS]

I strongly disagree with President Bush's policies regarding border security and legal immigration. I do not think he has actually tried hard to secure the border, I think he'd rather help his big business buddies get access to cheap labor.

However, I do not think the convicted border patrol agents Ramos and Compean deserve a presidential pardon. They were convicted in a legal trial, and therefore I think the verdict should stick. I believe that they tried to cover up the shooting, instead of reporting it to their supervisors and therefore lost all credibility. I do however think there is a legitimate gripe about the punishment. I think 10 years is a bit of the excessive side. However, Congress mandated that minimum sentence (therefore the punishment was not determined by the prosecution).

[Machiavelligz]

Thanks for the mention,

Bryan
TVR