Presidential Pardon is Key for Ramos and Compean
From the Desk of:
Steve Elliott, Grassfire.org Alliance
I am positively sickened by the Fifth Circuit's outrageous decision rejecting Ramos and Compean's appeal. I know how devastated the families are, and I can tell you, the last couple of days have been quite emotional for everyone here at Grassfire.
But hope is not lost!
In fact, I'm excited about what has already taken place. Just hours after the ruling, key members of Congress drafted a letter to President Bush asking him to use his exclusive authority to pardon Ramos and Compean and correct this horrifying injustice.
We've posted this letter for our team to read. Click to read: (SEE LETTER BELOW)
http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?U=9736&CID=142&RID=14507877
I understand that Monica Ramos and Patty Compean are going to continue their appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. I would probably do the same thing, but it will be a long and difficult task.
Frankly their best hope rests with you and me.
We need a grassroots uprising--demonstrating to key members of Congress that the American people have not forgotten about Ramos and Compean, and demanding the President do the right and decent thing by pardoning them.
But time is short. Congress is leaving town for summer
recess at the end of the week, and I want to flood them with
support for Ramos and Compean before they leave.
In fact, I want them to know that we won't rest until Ramos
and Compean are returned to their loving families!
+ + Action Item #1 -- Flood Congress with Faxes and Ribbons
The time is now to set Washington awash in a sea of faxes
and ribbons demanding Congress and the President
"Bring Home Agents Ramos and Compean."
Take a moment right now to schedule your faxes and
to send ribbons:
http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?U=9737&CID=142&RID=14507877
(As always, if you prefer, please send the faxes on your own. Our FaxFire service is for your convenience. You can access the contact information and sample fax text at the above link.)
+ + Action Item #2 -- Call The White House
After scheduling your faxes and ribbons, call the White House and leave your comments. I know every comment is listened to and reported to the President and his staff.
Again, I want to overwhelm them with calls demanding a full pardon for Ramos and Compean.
I have included some brief talking points to help:
1. I am outraged that the Fifth Circuit did not overturn the
lengthy prison terms of border agents Ramos and
Compean.
2. I call on the President to take any and all necessary actions
to secure their immediate release--through Presidential
Pardon or other means.
Contact Numbers: White House Switchboard: 202-456-1414
I'm deeply saddened for our system of justice, for our nation's border security and mostly for two families who have become victims of a system that favors illegal alien drug smugglers over our own law enforcement.
But thankfully, the fight isn’t over, and the Ramos and Compean families know they can count on Grassfire!
Thank you for taking action.
Steve Elliott, President
Grassfire.org
P.S: After taking action, please forward this message to 20-30 friends--encouraging them to follow your lead by signing our petition demanding a full pardon for Ramos and Compean by clicking here:
http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?u=9740&PID=14507877
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + Feedback or comments on this update?
Go to FireSociety.com and post your comments so that the Grassfire staff along with thousands of citizens can benefit from your thoughts and opinions:
http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?U=9738&RID=14507877
+ + Technical questions only:
For technical questions regarding this email, go here:
(Not for comments/feedback on this update)
http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?U=9739&CID=142&RID=14507877
+ + + + +
Grassfire.org Alliance is a non-profit 501(c)4 issues advocacy organization dedicated to equipping our 1.5 million-strong network of grassroots conservatives with the tools that give you a real impact on the key issues of our day. Gifts to Grassfire.org are not tax deductible.
LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM CONGRESS
July 29, 2008
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the
The White House
Dear Mr. President:
We write this letter asking for your personal intervention to use your exclusive authority given to you under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution and pardon U.S. Border Patrol agents Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos.
As you know, these two agents were prosecuted and convicted for shooting an illegal alien drug smuggler near the U.S. – Mexico border in Texas and were sentenced to over ten years in prison. They have been imprisoned now for almost two years.
Yesterday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit rendered its decision on the two agents’ appeals and upheld the most serious yet the most unjustified charge; one that carries a mandatory 10 year minimum sentence for the use of a firearm. Clearly, we feel the law was misapplied and law enforcement officers who are on duty and during the pursuit or apprehension of an individual who they believed had committed a crime should be an exception. The severity of the charges and the harshness of the punishment is totally disproportionate to the violation in question.
Further, this decision and the national attention given this case has had a demoralizing effect on the men and women who defend
We therefore again and respectfully ask, especially as you near the end of your administration, to correct this injustice that has occurred during your presidency and pardon U.S. Border Patrol agents Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos.
Sincerely,