President Bush issued 14 pardons today. Pretty much standard fare. But this burns my hide!

“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.

Forte, a well-known hip hop artist, worked with the Fugees, Wyclef Jean and Herbie Hancock.

Pardon orders never give a reason, but NBC News’ Pete Williams reported that in Forte’s case, it is likely the mandatory minimum sentences required in drug cases. Here’s how fans of Forte’s put it on a Web site dedicated to him:

“John Forte’s life was forever changed in July of 2000. He agreed to transport a package, and in turn was arrested on a drug trafficking charge. He did not accept the plea bargain offered him, as he maintained that he was innocent of the charges against him.

“In 2001, John Forté stood trial in a Texas court and was convicted of this non-violent crime. It was his first offense. Due to the outdated mandatory minimum sentencing laws currently in place, he received the only prison term available for the judge to hand down — 14 years in a federal penitentiary. John is not eligible to be released until he is at least 38 years old.”

Agreed to transport a package my arse. In 2000 Mr. Forte was arrested for holding $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine in his luggage at the Newark International Airport. That’s not transporting, it’s trafficking.

But where are the pardons for Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos, two border agents who’s crime was to shoot a fleeing drug dealer in the ass?

If Bush can pardon a drug pusher, he can pardon two officers who were persecuted simply because of politics, Bush’s friendship with Mexico and a over zealous prosecutor.

Mr. President do the right thing!

Contact the White House NOW!

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