Questions: Bush's Pardons Yesterday

[placton]

News reports state that Bush granted pardons to 4 people. I was struck by a number of things
-why pardon someone not in prison?
-why any pardons at all?
-why pardon people like these - all are white collar crooks, and appear to have screwed over others?

Any ideas?

Those granted pardons Tuesday were:

• Kristan Diane Bullock Akins, Raleigh, North Carolina, embezzlement by a bank employee. Sentenced in August 1990 to three years' probation, 100 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine.

• Ronald William Cauley, East Providence, Rhode Island, misapplication of bank funds by an employee. Sentenced in November 1980 to one year of probation.

• Stephen Davis Simmons, Austin, Texas, possession of counterfeit obligations. Sentenced in 1981 to five years' probation and a $2,000 fine.

• Roger Charles Weber, Northridge, California, theft from interstate shipment. Sentenced in February 1969 to two years probation and a $200 fine.

[wishlist]

1. Maybe they're Repubs wanting federal jobs, can't have felonies

Convicted felons are usually restricted from hiring in certain professions and from federal employment. These people probably had lobbied for sympathy through lawyers and friends of Bushco.

[cavanaghjam]

2. So their records are clean

so they can get back in business so they can learn from their mistakes and this time steal without getting caught.

You'd be surprised what is disallowed a convicted felon besides the right to vote and school aid.

[Patsy Stone]

3. Because

Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, Blackwell and Cheney would have been waaay too obvious?

I know, I read it myself and didn't understand. All of them are already finished with their piddly little "sentences" or fines. Why bother? Is it to show he has a "heart?" Maybe he needs them for something?

[itzamirakul]

4. Looks like he learned his lesson from

the Bernie Kerik mess. Pardon 'em FIRST! Then appoint them.

[MrUnderhill]

5. Two years probation and $200 fine IN 1969 !?!?!?

:shrug:

[Tony_Illinois]

6. Whatever the reason, it is shameless that

a man who allowed a mentally retarded man to be executed in Texas, and who publicly belilttled a woman who begged him to spare her life (subsequently executed) somehow wants to do "justice" in these minor cases.

[MrUnderhill]

7. Let's not stretch that TOO far...

Clinton also allowed a mentally challenged kid to be executed. Rushed back to Arkansas to deny the appeal... just to look "tough on crime" while running for President.

More serious than any old BJ scandal in my mind.


But you're right... WHY do some of these need pardoning?

[banjoman]

11. pardons

many times pardons are used to expunge the criminal records of people that were convicted, served their sentences, and then were found to be not guilty after all, or there were extenuating circumstances, (battered wives convicted of murder) clearing someones name allows them to honestly answer the "ever been convicted of a crime" question on a background check or job application with an honest "no"

[Karan]

8. More to it...

I'm sure that there is more to these pardons than we see right now. Just like there was probably more to the pardons that Clinton granted than what we saw.

[Bridget Burke]

9. So, we just need to have faith in Bush?

He moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DireStrike]

12. yep, good point.

[Tony_Illinois]

16. WTF--I thought we were talking about GWB?

[spanone]

13. Possible Supreme Court Nominees??????????????????????

[unblock]

15. roflmaopip!!

:bounce:

[robbedvoter]

14. Honor among thieves....