President George W. Bush has granted pardons to 14 individuals and commuted the prison sentences of two others

[Terminator]

WASHINGTON – 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.

[MacLean]

Sounds like he plans to issue pardons for the less controversial first, then.

[TXCharlie]

Sounds like a bunch of slime bags - Why on Earth would he pardon that bunch?

I'm disappointed that the list so far doesn't include the two border patrol agents.

[Terminator]

Sounds like a bunch of slime bags - Why on Earth would he pardon that bunch?

I'm disappointed that the list so far doesn't include the two border patrol agents.

I agree.

[sgtbear111]

Heres's the info and case number:

WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
EL PAS0 DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NO. EP:05-CR-856-KC
v.
IGNACIO RAMOS and JOSE ALONSO COMPEAN

Drafting a letter to 1600 Pennsylvania now.
--------------------
Ref: Randy "Duke" Cunningham: he's a dick-head, and an arrogant, untalented thief. He can sit his sentence out.

[Shoestring]

I always like how the majority of pardons come at the end of their term, nothing like making sure you try and keep a good name until the door is going to hit you on the ass on your way out

[Jenna]

What if a President one day decided to do something crazy, like pardon every criminal in the world? Would there be a way to overturn that? Just wondering.

[bayern]

What if a President one day decided to do something crazy, like pardon every criminal in the world? Would there be a way to overturn that? Just wondering.

one word: NO
However, the Pardon must cover all aspects of the crime, or, leave it to the Justice Dept to come up with some Civil Rights violation to hand on the individual. I.e. in the case of a drug dealer, depriving his clients of his product. Don't laugh, the Justice Dept pays folks to think up bull shit like this.

[MacLean]

What if a President one day decided to do something crazy, like pardon every criminal in the world? Would there be a way to overturn that? Just wondering.

The United States Constitution places only one limit on Presidential pardon - he may not pardon anyone who has been impeached.

Your question was "the world" however - only crimes against the United States need apply.

There is no provision to overturn a Presidential pardon.

For a legislative body to attempt to overturn a pardon would require an unconstitutional ex post facto bill of attainder, explicitly prevented by the constitution itself.

[Jenna]

The United States Constitution places only one limit on Presidential pardon - he may not pardon anyone who has been impeached.

Your question was "the world" however - only crimes against the United States need apply.

There is no provision to overturn a Presidential pardon.

For a legislative body to attempt to overturn a pardon would require an unconstitutional ex post facto bill of attainder, explicitly prevented by the constitution itself.

I guess we should just hope no President will be that crazy!

[Xiphos]

_convicted of making false statements to the federal government.
_ helping cover up a crime.
_wrongful use and distribution of marijuana and cocaine.
_unauthorized acquisition of food stamps.
_convicted of income tax evasion.
_convicted of bank embezzlement.
_sentenced for misapplication of bank funds.
_convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
_unlawful use of a telephone in a narcotics felony.
_aiding and abetting the theft of government property.
_ Both were convicted of cocaine offenses.

Drug dealers and thieves. But the two cops shooting a drug smuggler aren't on the list.

I'm pissed it's taken him this long to undo the wrongful prosecution of those two.

[Willowdared]

There was also a deputy prosecuted for firing at a vehicle trying to run him down. Some poor illegal got glass in her eye, so he went to jail

He's also not on the list.