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The sad (unpardonable) state of compassion in the Bush Administration

By Douglas A. Berman

Writing in today's New York Times, George Lardner has this potent op-ed headlined "Begging Bush's Pardon." Here are a few excerpts from a piece that deserves a full read and lots of attention even while other political matters are making bigger headlines: The first rule for handling requests for presidential pardons was set down in a report to Congress in 1887, during Grover Cleveland?s first term in office.  It said they were to be sent to the attorney general?s ?pardon clerk? for ?his prompt and appropriate attention.? Just as important, according to the report, was that the petitioners were to be given a fair shake.  They were almost always convicted criminals, but that didn?t mean they were all guilty as charged or deserving of the harsh punishments that had been inflicted on them...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on February 04, 2008 (boomark / email).