Bush Pardons 19, But Leaves Ramos & Compean in Jail for Christmas

President Bush announced 19 pardons and one sentence commutation today, and the list of those pardoned was more remarkable for the people who were not on it than those who were.

The most notable name on today's list was Charles Winters, who was posthumously pardoned for helping to ship arms and aircraft to Jews fighting for an independent state in what is now Israel (he was convicted of violating the Neutrality Act and served an 18 month sentence).

Scooter Libby was not included, nor did the President take my advice concerning Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.

Ramos and Compean, of course, were convicted of violating gun laws and of shooting a drug smuggler (and covering it up) in 2005.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue of illegal immigration, this one should be a "no-brainer." For obvious reasons, Border Patrol agents work under an incredibly stressful environment where they are up against, well, drug dealers trying to sneak into the country.

If there were ever a justifiable occasion to exercise the president's pardon power -- and to demonstrate "compassionate conservatism" -- this would be it. I sincerely hope President Bush will pardon these two men between now and the time he leaves office.