An effective call for President Bush to be a truly "compassionate conservate" with his clemency power

Over at Pardon Power, P.S. Ruckman has a number of great new posts, including this one noting that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is reported to be reviewing prison inmate petitions for clemency while he ignores calls for his resignation.  And among the great reads is this long new post, which ends with this potent callfor President George Bush to use his clemency power dynamically during his last month in office:

Now comes the end of the administration of George W. Bush. When he came to office eight years ago, he wrapped himself in the theme of "compassionate conservatism" — a theme which critics feel has yet to be operationalized in any meaningful way.  Regardless, today, out in a space of land much much larger than the Western District of Arkansas are thousands and thousands of prisoners who have experienced the harsh administration of mandatory minimum sentences. Many of them are first-time offenders who committed non-violent offenses. They have learned — as has everyone affected by their imprisonment — that the justice system can construct huge, impressive mechanical devices to automatically send "signals."  But, now, Mr. President, maybe now more than ever, it is time for them to also learn that criminal justice in the United States is not the duty and function of a single branch of our government, or even two.  The courts may feel bound by the legislature.  And legislators may feel bound by constituents and public opinion.  But, in matters of criminal justice, President Bush, thanks to the U.S. Constitution, the only thing that constrains you is a compassionate human being's idea of the right thing to do, or not do.

Mr. President, reach into the thousands of clemency applications that are sitting in the Office of the Pardon Attorney right now — many of which have been sitting there for years and years — and do what you know is the right thing to do.  Do what should have been done when Mr. Clinton left office.  Use the pardon power as it was meant to be used — or at least use it in the manner in which it is best used — to round off the rough edges of justice without reference to personal and partisan considerations and with a sense of humility and, yes, compassion. In addition to giving real life meaning to the phrase "compassionate conservatism," you will enliven the the proverb we are all better off to remember, "There, but for the Grace of God, go I."

Amen!

Some recent related posts:

• "Begging Bush's Pardon"
• More proof politicians are very compassionate toward criminals ... who are fellow politicians
• Who do you want President Bush to pardon?
• A profile of Prez pardons as we enter clemency season
• Will Prez Bush become merciful again as his term concludes?
• Federal clemency news and notes
• "What pardons will Bush issue?"

• Prez Bush issues (first?) set of lame-duck pardons and commutations