Pardon the border patrol agents

By: relawson
Published On: 2/2/2007 9:39:11 PM

Why isn't there a single Democrat backing a pardon of the border patrol agents (Compean and Ramos) unjustly accused of shooting a drug smuggler in the buttocks who was pointing a weapon at them!  His van was found to contain bales of marijuana, and he was at a later date caught smuggling drugs again!  The smuggler was given immunity for his crimes in exchange for testifying against law enforcement!  The agents get 12-13 years in prison.

If you look into the details of this case, I think you will also support the pardon of these agents.  We cannot be sending a message to law enforcement that they should not enforce laws. 

This is going to be one of those issues that creates friction between the left wing and center of this party.  Intellectually honest Democrats will not stand for this!

This issue isn't about where you stand politically on illegal immigration.  This issue is about our government prosecuting law enforcement for doing their jobs.  Please watch America's Most Wanted tomorrow night and judge for yourself.

You can also read this paper on the subject - which is a rebuttal from the National Border Patrol Council (AFL-CIO): http://rohrabacher.h...

I would also remind you that these guys are hard working union members.  Other AFL-CIO members should be backing their brothers!

Comments



law enforcement agents do not get a blank check (teacherken - 2/3/2007 7:40:14 AM)
and should be held accountable for use of excessive force.  You are assuming that the prosecutors of the case did not thoroughly examine the incident.  They did.  And if the former agents in question had been sure what they had did was correct they would not have worked so hard to cover up their actions, a coverup that was undisputed and indisputable.

I am of a generation that saw far too many law enforcement officials get away with abuses, behind things like the blue wall of silence.  I am not hostile to law enforcement:  my sister-in-law is married to an FBI agent, and I am fairly close to the three men who have served as police officers in the school in which I teach. 

All good cops wnat the bad cops rooted out.  It makes their lives better.  What these guys did was unacceptable, as unacceptable as those in NYC who raped Amadou Diallo with a nightstick. 

I really think you should pull this diary.



Why I won't pull this diary (relawson - 2/3/2007 11:45:48 AM)
I am not assuming anything TeacherKen.  I realize that we have a problem with law enforcement abusing their powers.  I don't disagree with you on that.

The reason I won't pull the diary is because I have looked at the evidence of THIS CASE.  I think that in THIS CASE justice was not served.  I ask that everyone look objectively at this and draw your own conclusions.

Just as innocent people find themselves victims of justice not being served fairly, every now and again law enforcement are also victims.  If these were in fact "bad cops" I would agree whole heartedly with you.  The evidence suggests that they were doing their jobs and are in fact "good cops".

I also believe that it is almost cliche to always look at law enforcement in poor light.  I don't think you are doing this, but some people just "hate cops".  Many for the reasons you mention (a few bad cops make them all look bad).

In any event, all I ask is that you look at the case objectively.  If you have reasons based on substance on why this diary should be removed (perhaps I am wrong on the facts) let me know.  I am also willing to look objectively at this.  Hopefully the Americas Most Wanted program tonight clears up any questions surrounding this case.