Posted by
JayPeriod on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 8:56:23 AM
Rarely do I agree with Diane Feinstein. Ok, I never agree with Feinstein. Finally, though, I think she gets something.
Yesterday, the Senate finally got to the business of investigating the handling of the case against U.S. Border Patrol agents Ramos and Compean. Senator Feinstein chaired that committee meeting in place of the absent Sen. Leahy. In fact, she was the only Democrat who even bothered to show up.
As a result of the examination of the evidence and witness testimony of U.S. District Attorney Johnny Sutton, the panel came to the conclusion that the border agents were treated unfairly. They have signed a request for President Bush to commute their sentences.
Agents Ramos and Compean were doing their duty when a suspected drug smuggler came across the Mexican border. They demanded he halt to be searched. He ran, they pursued and shot him in the rear. It was not fatal, as he continued and crossed the border back into Mexico. Almost 750 pounds of marijuana was found in his van.
It was determined that the border agents did not file the proper papers after discharging their weapons, and that the use of lethal force was not appropriate. They were sentenced to 11 and 12 years in federal prison, where they are serving in solitary confinement. The smuggler was granted immunity to testify, given a humanitarian visa, which he promptly used to smuggle another 1000 pounds of marijuana into the U.S.
During the Senate committee hearing, Feinstein questioned Sutton about the policy that required the agents not to discharge their weapons. Feinstein is not known for her pro-gun stances, yet she came to the conclusion that if agents are not allowed to shoot at drug smugglers, it is no wonder we have a drug problem in this country.
Of interest to me is the idea that the smugglers testimony would even be used in the conviction. If it were the other way around, say they had arrested him, then gotten caught in some indiscretion, the prosecutor would have moved to strike their testimony because of that. The judge would have agreed, and the smuggler would have gone free. Yet, even though he was caught and arrested for smuggling more drugs into the country while awaiting the agents trial, not only was he allowed to testify, but his immunity was extended not only from the initial crime, but ALL his crimes. He walks free today, and is planning to sue the government for $5 million for damages; a bullet in the butt.
In agreeing with Sen. Feinstein, it is cases like this that answer the question as to why we have immigration and drug problems. If we do not allow our agents to do their jobs, we will never have secure borders. They must be allowed to be a strong deterrent to these illegal crossings. Otherwise, who knows what the next illegal will smuggle across the border.
Agents Ramos and Compean were doing their jobs; protecting America. They must be freed and their records expunged. They should be returned to the border. This would send a message to illegals and smugglers that we take our border very serious.