Former inmates get civil rights restored

[Freddie Stubbs]

TALLAHASSEE - Jorge Lara says he has never voted in his life.

But this fall he will get his chance, thanks to a full pardon he was given on Thursday by Gov. Jeb Bush and members of the Cabinet.

''The system works,'' said a smiling Lara, who proclaimed he planned to vote Republican. ``It worked perfectly today.''

Flanked by his mother, his fiancée and friends, Lara had traveled from Collier County for his five minutes before the governor and Cabinet. The 29-year-old Lara was 16 when he was arrested on drug trafficking charges in Miami-Dade County -- two years before he was eligible to vote.

more: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/8950876.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

[freetobegay]

1. Not all did

I wonder if it has anytrhing to do with the R & D thing?

[bluestateguy]

2. This fellow must be Cuban

I have no doubt that Jeb Bush is working to streamline the process...for Cubans. Blacks can wait around for awhile.

[seasat]

3. I heard about one that got his rights back.

Charles Colson (think I got the name right) Nixon's head dirty trickster convicted under Watergate had his rights restored here in FL. Who'd have thunk it?:eyes: