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VICTORY! The voice of the people was heard!

From CNN:

On his final full day in office, President Bush issued commutations for two former border patrol agents convicted in 2006 of shooting an undocumented immigrant who was smuggling drugs at the time.

The prison sentences of Ignacio Ramos and Joe Compean will now end March 20.

Ramos had received an 11-year prison sentence; Compean had received a 12-year sentence.

“The president has reviewed the circumstances of this case as a whole and the conditions of confinement and believes the sentences they received are too harsh and that they, and their families, have suffered enough for their crimes,” a senior administration official said.

“Commuting their sentences does not diminish the seriousness of their crimes. Ramos and Compean are convicted felons who violated their oaths to uphold the law and have been severely punished,” the official stated.

“This commutation gives them an opportunity to return to their families and communities, but both men will have to carry the burden of being convicted felons and the shame of violating their oaths for the rest of their lives.”

The official noted that both Democratic and Republican members of Congress have supported a commutation, including President-elect Barack Obama’s incoming White House chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, and Texas GOP Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn.

I just knew Bush would do the right thing. I am really glad this will not leave yet more unrest as he prepares to exit the White House.

President Bush, Thank you.

Related: An Open Letter To President Bush

To President George W. Bush,

In spite of everything, I still think you have been a good President. I have stood by your side and did not let the media shape my perception of your Presidency. I even flew to Colorado as part of your 72-Hour campaign in 2004. When we arrived you were 4 points down in the polls. We delivered the state to you with a three percentage point surplus. I am proud that I was able to help re-elect you.

President Bush, there is one desperately urgent thing you need must do before you leave office: you need to issue a Presidential Pardon, or commute the sentences of, wrongfully imprisoned Border Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.

Agents Ramos and Compean are being held in deplorable conditions to the severity of their so-called crime. They have been placed in solitary confinement for shooting a Mexican drug lord who was convicted of smuggling $1.4 million of cocaine into the country. They were charged with, get this, “discharging a weapon while committing another crime”. I was not aware that two border security agents doing what the public expects them to do is a crime.

That this charge, intended for application against those committing crimes against the United States, would be applied to two border security agents whom discharged their weapons in the line of duty is laughable. It is a travesty of justice that cannot be allowed to pass and left to the hands of the administration of Barack Hussein Obama. We know full well what President Elect Obama’s position on anything related to firearms will be- he will seek the maximum penalty allowed by law. Agent Ramos and Compean would have no chance of pardons once he gets in.

Mr. President, I am asking that your sense of decency, goodwill and patriotism break through whatever sort of political maneuvering that has kept you from acting so far.

Border security agents Ramos and Compean discharged their weapons after believing a high-profile drug smuggler was armed and threatened the security of others. How can you, a Republican who is supposed to stand for principals of secure borders and national security, not see the outrage of imprisoning two federal agents as a direct result of carrying out their responsibilities? We must stand behind those defending us.

Mr. President, please do not leave office without pardoning or commuting the sentences of Border Security agents Ramos and Compean. The very sense of duty that guides all of those serving this country would be at stake should these charges be allowed to stick. Mr. President, please for the sense of all that is right and good, please please please do the right thing.

History will be your judge Mr. President, please leave no doubt as to were you stand. Pardon Agent Ramos and Compean today.