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Post from Steve Southwell's Blog:
Proposed Constitutional Amendment on Pardons and Reprieves
By Steve Southwell - Jul 4th, 2007 at 6:03 pm EDT
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Tags: constitution, crime
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In light of controversy over Presidential pardons in recent administrations, I propose the following Amendment to the United States Constitution:

The President of the United States' right to grant reprieves and pardons, as defined in Article II, Section 2 shall not apply to anyone who has worked in the office of the President or Vice President, or any of the President's Cabinet members. A President may not grant a reprieve or pardon to anyone who has worked within three levels of the chain of command of the President or Vice President at any time during the President's service to the United States in any capacity. Pardons and Reprieves may not be granted between the first day of October in Presidential election years, and the following January 21st. A President may not grant a blanket pardon or reprieve for unspecified crimes, but rather may only do so for specific convictions.

I believe we can get bipartisan support for this amendment. Please email it to your Congressman and Senators today!


Reader Comments
  
Follow the existing guidelines
Reply
By none Jul 4th 2007 at 6:08 pm EDT
If 'dubya' had followed the existing guidelines already in place there would have been no commutation or pardon at this time. He is not required to follow the guidelines so maybe a law should be made forcing presidents to follow pardon guidelines.......
Just another/different opinion
  
It's about Rule of Law
Reply
By Jon P Jul 4th 2007 at 6:25 pm EDT
Again the fundamental issue is about Rule of Law and the fact that no one is above the law.

Too many times we suffer from inconsistencies in the idea that people in authority positions or celebs, or the rich in general, somehow think they don't need to be subject to the Law.

We went through this with the lame idea of amnesty for illegal immigrants.

The public spoke loud and clear, the law applies to everyone. Let the courts do their job.

The Democratic party candidates are flip-flopping on this issue as shown with with the immigration bill. They look foolish arguing both sides of the fence. It has to stop.

The candidates need to be crystal clear, Rule of Law applies equally, not subjectively.



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