How many more people will Bush pardon before Inauguration Day 2009?

If I were President, I would pardon EVERYONE.

I'm expecting a flood of them, especially if Obama and the Democrats take power.

I think it will be a lower number simply because everyone will be watching.

Commentary from http://davidbrin.blogspot.com/2008/10/final-arguments.html

So far, nobody has offered to bet against my assertion that we will witness a Pardon Tsunami during the weeks after an Obama victory. Almost certainly, President George W. Bush has promised scads of get-out-of-jail-free cards to those who busily ripped off this great nation during the last eight years. A gang of kleptos and political hatchetmen who rightfully fear the resurrection of the U.S. Civil Service -- including all the auditors, FBI and Justice agents, inspectors general and so on -- suddenly unleashed from their neocon leash-holders.

Newly inaugurated President Barack Obama won’t have to start a witch hunt, something that isn’t in his character anyway. He need only allow our public servants to return to doing their jobs, and indictments will flow, like a river that’s been locked far too long behind a glacier.

That is... unless Bush issues the promised pardons.

(Open to question: will he arrange things so that someone will pardon him?)

Now there’s an interesting dynamic, here -- an example of the Prisoner’s Dilemma. How can any of the people expecting executive clemency be sure that W will keep his word? After all, the larger the stack of pardons, the bigger the penalty, in political terms, to be paid by both the GOP and Bush’s remaining public stature (such as it is). If the stack gets high enough, the Republican Party might never recover... and Bush might have to move to Dubai. Hence, some of the promises may just be no more than empty words, meant to keep mid-level people silent till the election. Anyone who is counting on such a promise ought to consider how reliable it may be, after November 4.

There is an alternative, to squeal before the election. It should offer some appealing aspects for your run-of-the-mill neocon klepto or enabler to ponder.

Notably, George Bush isn’t the only one who can offer get-out-of-jail-free cards! Rep. Henry Waxman can grant immunity for testimony given under oath, for example. And President Obama will be able to pardon, too. Above all, there is often forgiveness, public acclaim and hero status for the first fellow who abandons a gang of criminals, because of an attack of conscience.

Also, do not count on a presidential pardon - even if you get one - to be perfect protection. First, Congress might try a gambit I’ve recommended - using sort of an “inverse signing statement” to corner the definition of a pardon so that it only covers acts that are openly avowed and admitted in cooperative sworn testimony. Then there is the matter of civil damages. You might have to flee the country, anyway.

Key point: the truth is going to come out. This is the diametric opposite of the Clinton Era witch hunts, when relentlessly-fixated partisan searches wound up not turning up anything palpable, at all. (Not a single Clintonian was ever even indicted for malfeasance in the performance of official duties.) Instead, this time, Democrats will barely have to lift a finger, while civil servants do it all. And the rats who are slow to leave the sinking ship will be treated as rats, by a disgusted America, forever.

Conclusion: pay heed you henchmen out there. The next week may be your last chance to join (and help) the winning side of history. Don’t blow it.

William James Norman (1970 possessing and running an unregistered distillery that did not carry the proper signage and illegally produced alcoholic drinks made from mash)

wo awesome

for comparison with the last 2 term prez
As President Bill Clinton used his power under the U.S. Constitution to grant pardons and clemency to 456 people, thus commuting the sentences of those already convicted of a crime, and obviating a trial for those not yet convicted. On January 20, 2001, he pardoned 140 people in the final hours of his presidency

i think he'll be very self-conscious about not surpassing the clinton total so i'll guess about 100. but if he ended up doing 500 as a final "fuck you" i wouldn't be shocked either.

Stevens for sure I bet

WASHINGTON (AP) - President George W. Bush has granted pardons to 14 individuals and commuted the prison sentences of two others convicted of misdeeds ranging from drug offenses to tax evasion, from wildlife violations to bank embezzlement, The Associated Press learned Monday.

The new round of White House pardons are Bush's first since March and come less than two months before he will end his presidency. The crimes committed by those on the list also include offenses involving hazardous waste, food stamps, and the theft of government property.

Bush has been stingy during his time in office about handing out such reprieves.

Including these actions, he has granted a total of 171 and eight commutations. That's less than half as many as Presidents Clinton or Reagan issued during their time in office. Both were two-term presidents.

On the latest pardon list were:

_Leslie Owen Collier of Charleston, Mo. She was convicted for unauthorized use of a pesticide and violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

_Milton Kirk Cordes of Rapid City, S.D. Cordes was convicted of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act, which prohibits importation into the country of wildlife taken in violation of conservation laws.

_Richard Micheal Culpepper of Mahomet, Ill., who was convicted of making false statements to the federal government.

_Brenda Jean Dolenz-Helmer of Fort Worth, Texas, for reporting or helping cover up a crime.

_Andrew Foster Harley of Falls Church, Va. Harley was convicted of wrongful use and distribution of marijuana and cocaine.

_Obie Gene Helton of Rossville, Ga., whose offense was unauthorized acquisition of food stamps.

_Carey C. Hice Sr. of Travelers Rest, S.C., who was convicted of income tax evasion.

_Geneva Yvonne Hogg of Jacksonville, Fla., convicted of bank embezzlement.

_William Hoyle McCright Jr. of Midland, Texas, who was sentenced for making false entries, books, reports or statements to a bank.

_Paul Julian McCurdy of Sulphur, Okla., who was sentenced for misapplication of bank funds.

_Robert Earl Mohon Jr. of Grant, Ala., who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

_Ronald Alan Mohrhoff of Los Angeles, who was convicted for unlawful use of a telephone in a narcotics felony.

_Daniel Figh Pue III of Conroe, Texas, convicted of illegal treatment, storage and disposal of a hazardous waste without a permit.

_Orion Lynn Vick of White Hall, Ark., who was convicted of aiding and abetting the theft of government property.

Bush also commuted the prison sentences of John Edward Forte of North Brunswick, N.J., and James Russell Harris of Detroit, Mich. Both were convicted of cocaine offenses.

Under the Constitution, the president's power to issue pardons is absolute and cannot be overruled.

Some high-profile individuals, such as Michael Milken, are seeking a pardon on securities fraud charges. Two politicians convicted of public corruption - former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., and four-term Democratic Louisiana Gov. Edwin W. Edwards - are asking Bush to shorten their prison terms.

One hot topic of discussion related to pardons is whether Bush might decide to issue pre-emptive pardons before he leaves office to government employees who authorized or engaged in harsh interrogations of suspected terrorists in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Some constitutional scholars and human rights groups want the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama to investigate possible war crimes.

If Bush were to pardon anyone involved, it would provide protection against criminal charges, particularly for people who were following orders or trying to protect the nation with their actions. But it would also be highly controversial.

At the same time, Obama advisers say there is little - if any - chance that his administration would bring criminal charges.

Presidential pardons are such a stupid fucking idea.

_Amy, who fell down the stairs

_Basil, who was assaulted by bears

_Clara, who wasted away

...and so on.

Lot of those on that list are coke/marijuana dealers. Some LSD too. Two moonshiners.

_Carey C. Hice Sr. of Travelers Rest, S.C., who was convicted of income tax evasion.

latebloomer, u know this guy?

dude pardoned john forte from the fugees wtf

ha wow http://www.sohh.com/2008/11/wyclef_associate_john_for.html

that was just the one time...

If I were President, I would pardon EVERYONE.

― Black Seinfeld (HI DERE), Tuesday, October 28, 2008 3:13 PM (4 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

btw this would be pretty amazing and should absolutely be movietized asap

Bush pardons man convicted in eagle deaths

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/390096_pardon01.html

(Not Eagles the band, natch)

um, the eagle deaths were totally accidental

The NYT ran a touching story about that guy yesterday.

Roger Clemens?

hur hur hur hur hur hur hur

Hey. I'm just the messenger. He pardoned another guy. s'all I was linkin'

youre pardoned

1 name: Mark Rich

ye thinking of the last guy fyi

Just remember, as governor of Texas, Bush never commuted the sentence of a single convict on death row. He let them all fry.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

He's gonna joke-pardon Saddam tomorrow.

msnbc just announced he will not be pardoning any more people.

really wow obama should arrest cheney the moment hes sworn in

u cant arrest me yr not a cop!

presidents arrest B-)

Those two border agents got the commutation today; $10 says it'll have a segment on tonight's Coast to Coast AM.

Which two border aegsnts?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090119/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_pardons

http://townhall.com/blog/g/bcf439fe-5370-4420-aae1-cf2153981431?comments=true&commentsSortDirection=Descending

Monday, January 19, 2009
President Commutes Sentences of Ramos and Compean!
Posted by: Mike Gallagher at 1:13 PM
What thrilling news: the White House just announced that the President will, indeed, commute the prison sentences of border patrol agents Ramos and Compean. Last week, I shared the fact that during my meeting in the Oval Office with President Bush, a meeting I had the privilege of sharing with a few of my talk radio friends and colleagues, I asked the President to consider commuting their sentences. His answer was off-the-record and I have respected that caveat. I will continue to respect it and not reveal what he told me. However, the ultimate vindication is the wonderful news that he heard me, and millions of Americans like me, who believe that their incarceration is a travesty of justice. Just a few minutes ago, my producer and I called Monica Ramos, Ignacio's wife, to congratulate her. Amazingly, she hadn't yet heard the news. And so I had the honor of being able to be the first to tell her the joyful news that her husband and father of their children would be coming home. As expected, she cried and screamed and laughed and shouted for joy. I have to confess, I did, too. Thank you, President Bush. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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and they've been going on about this for a while

really wow obama should arrest cheney the moment hes sworn in

― ice cr?m, Monday, January 19, 2009 1:46 PM (50 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

u cant arrest me yr not a cop!

presidents arrest B-)

― ice cr?m, Monday, January 19, 2009 1:49 PM (47 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

"You can't arrest me; only Joe Biden can arrest me."

"You can't arrest me; only Joe Biden can arrest me."

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/6304/bidenlq0.th.jpg

"I'm on the job."

No more pardons expected.

I wonder if Bush is turning on all the people whose advice he followed.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

"Bush has issued far fewer pardons than any president in modern history, according to clemency scholars."

clemency scholars!

Whoa. Carter commuted G Gordon Liddy's sentence!

President        Pardons Commutations
Truman           1913    118
Eisenhower       1110    47
Kennedy          472     100
Johnson          960     226
Nixon            863     60
Ford             382     22
Carter           534     29
Reagan           393     13
Bush I           74      3
Clinton          396     61
Bush II          171     9

How 'bout those lenient 50s eh?

its funny cause there so fucking many more people in prison now than then

it's not how many, its the prisoner quality.