WE, the PEOPLE have the POWER to do this. If we have the WILL, we can SUCCEED in doing it! Category 1?

Question

Category 1 -- Presidential Pardons

The vast majority of Americans disagree with the obviously-politically-motivated commutation of Scooter Libby’s jail sentence, and properly regard it as a mockery of our criminal justice system.

Well, it may be too late to undo this miscarriage of justice in Libby’s case – but WE the PEOPLE **have** the power to prevent it from happening in the future!

Recognizing the fact that almost ALL Presidential pardons and commutations are politically-driven (which is why they are granted, in all but a very few cases, when a President is **leaving** the White House, and thereby can’t feel the sting of the people’s backlash), WE need to DEMAND Congress to introduce, pass, and put to the states for ratification a **Constitutional Amendment** that RESCINDS Presidential authority to grant pardons and commutations, with the sole exceptions of death penalties.

If we can get this done soon enough, it can prevent Bush from fully pardoning Libby at the end of his term – which almost certainly will happen otherwise.

I’m contacting my Senators and Representatives in support of this measure. Will you share the necessary moral outrage and **do likewise**? Or shall we, the people, continue to be a nation of sheep?

To "TG" -- There have been instances in history where FAST ratifications of amendments by the states took place. It CAN happen. As for pardons and commutations -- those can be done by governors as well. Presidents should be above such dealings. Except perhaps in federal cases. In which instances, the President should be required to explain in detail, case-by-case, his reason(s) for the action.

To "Deep Thought" -- You make good points, but the fact is that for every Ramos & Compean case, there are probably a hundred or more cases that are UNworthy of getting commutations and pardons, and still get them. So I still think that my above-proposed Constutional Amendment would be the BEST answer to this. Let the criminal justice system try cases as it's intended to, and let the sentences stand.

Answer 1

The Presidential pardon and commutation power is reserved to right great missacarriages of justice. While it has been misused of late by both Clinton in his pardon of a campaign backer and most recently to commute Scooter Libby's sentence, removing the ability of a President to wield this power would be a grave mistake. In the hands of a clear headed leader that power can do better than help a buddy in trouble. It can right great wrongs, like allowing people like Ramos and Compean the ability to return to their families instead of languishing in federal prison for 11 and 12 years respectively. I hate to belabor this point but I feel that if there was EVER a reason to use this power, this would be it. Removing the ability of a President to do this is a short sighted decision. Evaluating the prospective Presidential candidate before we choose to give him this power is a better idea.

Answer 2

Constitutional amendments are very difficult to get through Congress. If they pass, they must then be ratified by the states before they take effect. You're talking about a process that will take years and never be completed while Bush is in office. And it's not correct that most pardons are political. Most are people where there were mitigating circumstances or where the person has clearly turned their life around. Recent presidents have waited until their last days in office because too many people are ready to howl "soft on crime!" over every pardon.

Answer 3

Granted there have been many presidents who abused their power to pardon at the end of their terms, see what slickwillie did in 2001. However, I'd oppose your amendment.

At the moment, the only amendments I would strongly support would be one ordering all states to honor the concealed weapons permits issued by any other state, and on rescinding the XVIth Amendment (the income tax amendment).

Doc

Answer 4

I remember a line in Braveheart when the King said, "Mere sheep!" I think I'll watch Braveheart instead because I'm a sheep and have learned that you cannot create change without financial support and a corrupt agenda. Maybe you should think about a Coup d'état.....

Answer 5

What you are suggesting is a constitutional amendment. It is a good idea but it will take a long period of time to even convince Congress to take it into consideration.

Answer 6

you lost me, what are you talking about, what is the question??