Weekend Break

I'll be taking today and Sunday off, but don't fret -- I'll be back on Monday. Until then, enjoy this retro column from me. I chose a letter I wrote to President Bush (which he will probably never read, but that's ok) about Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean, imprisoned for doing their job. They seem to have been forgotten lately -- let's try and make sure we remember.

Can I just point out that Duncan Hunter has promised to pardon then if elected President, and even wrote a column explaining why they need to be? Actually, he's not even waiting until he becomes President, he wants them pardoned now:

I have introduced H.R. 563, the Congressional Pardon for Agents Compean and Ramos Act. This legislation, which has been cosponsored by 85 of my House colleagues, initiates a pardon for Compean and Ramos through the legislative process.

Make sure you check that out, too.

Until Monday!!


See you in two days!

An Open Letter to President Bush

Dear President Bush,

I have been one of your strongest supporters throughout your presidency. I campaigned for your re-election in 2004. I argued for you against critics. And despite the mistakes you have made -- you are human, after all -- my support for you has not waivered. I always have, and still do, believe that you have America's best interests at heart, even if you don't necessarily make the right decision. I have faith that you are trying to make the right decision.

But unfortunately, Mr. President, you have wandered far off the trail in the case of Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean.

Agents Ramos and Compean were sentenced to eleven and twelve year prison terms, respectively, for doing their jobs, with a possibility of twenty years to life. They shot a drug smuggler who had assaulted one of the agents, was trying to cross the border illegally, and was also trying to get over 740 lbs. of marijuana over the border.

On February 17, 2005, U.S. Border Agent Ignacio Ramos (a former nominee for border patrol agent of the Year), and Jose Compean attempted to apprehend a fleeing illegal alien at our border. Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila had the pleasure of getting a personal visit from a Department of Homeland Security investigator, sent by you, to offer him full immunity in exchange for testifying against the Border Patrol Agents.

Really, Mr. President? Who are you representing -- an illegal immigrant who tried to smuggle drugs across the border and assaulted an American, or Americans who are trying to protect other Americans? You didn't offer them a pardon, so I guess we know your answer.

Mr. Aldrete-Davila thanked you for your kindness, generosity, and faith by getting caught smuggling more drugs into the United States. He was again freed. He thanked the United States by suing for $5 million, claiming his civil rights were violated.

T.J. Bonner, of the National Border Patrol Council, said on CNN that ''This is really the most outrageous miscarriage of justice that I'm aware of in my twenty-eight years as a border patrol agent. I have never seen anything so... I can't even think of the word.''

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-CA, said, ''The word is out that the southern border is undefended. Border agents won't dare to draw their weapons, and the drug cartel will double their effort to drive a wedge in our border.''

''This is the worst betrayal of American defenders I have ever seen,'' he continued. ''It's shameful this was done by someone who is in the Republican Party. He obviously thinks more about his agreements with Mexico than the lives of American people and backing up his defenders.''

Mr. President, why are you taking the side of an illegal immigrant whose sole purpose here was to smuggle massive amounts of drugs? He wasn't here to live peacefully or contribute to our country. He assaulted a Border Patrol Agent and made threatening gestures and appeared to have a gun. What should the agents have done -- stood there and watched him complete the transaction, and then wave cheerily goodbye as if he had done nothing wrong?? What if he did have a gun?

Also worth bringing up is that Agent Ramos was a nominee for Border Patrol Agent of the Year.

Mr. President, I am shocked and outraged. I cannot believe someone who claims to be so tough on terror and keeping Americans safe can turn a blind eye to this situation. I don't support your stance on illegal immigration to begin with, but this takes things to a new low. You are showing that you care more about a petty drug smuggler who has shown zero respect for this country. Even after you gave him a break, he still disrespected you -- and you gave him another break! And he thanked you by suing.

Honestly, Mr. President -- what were you thinking!?

You can still right this wrong. It isn't too late to change things. Show us that you are still the President that puts the safety of Americans first, not the hurt feelings of terrorists and drug smugglers. These men are given a job to do, and they did it -- and you stabbed them in the back.

Shame on you, Mr. President. Fix this injustice. There is no reason these men should be going to prison. That pitiful excuse for a man who is disrespecting our country, trying to cause harm to Americans, and trying to smuggle massive amounts of drugs into our country is the one who should be going to jail.

Even CNN agrees with me -- and that almost never happens. Americans are not with you on this. There is no reason for this whatsoever. Fix this wrong, and fast.

Sincerely,

Casandra Fiano

For anyone who agrees that this is a serious miscarriage of justice, please go to Grassfire.org to sign a petition to free Agents Ramos and Compean.