Marion Jones asks Bush to commute 6-month sentence

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: The Huffington Post

WASHINGTON — Disgraced Olympic track star Marion Jones has asked President Bush to commute her six-month prison sentence for lying to federal agents about her use of performance-enhancing drugs and a check-fraud scam.

The Justice Department confirmed Monday that Jones is among hundreds of convicted felons who have applied for presidential pardons or sentence commutations, but would provide no further details. A pardon is an official act of forgiveness that removes civil liabilities stemming from a criminal conviction, while a commutation reduces or eliminates a person's sentence.

Such applications are reviewed by the Justice Department, which makes a recommendation to the president.

It's unclear when Jones, who won three gold and two bronze medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, made the request. She entered prison March 7 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/21/ex-olympic-star-marion-jo_n_114105.html

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[billybob537]

1. If you didn't lie for Chimpy NO DICE.

[Dr.Phool]

7. Maybe a small donation to the Presidential Coloring Book Library?

That would do it.

[saigon68]

12. Don't forget the "My Pet Goat" reading room

[librechik]

2. one cheater to another

sad

[chelsea0011]

3. Is her name "Scooter"?

[wilt the stilt]

4. let's see

lying and outing a CIA agent- no harm no foul- you're off
lying about doing steroids- 10 years n^^^^r

[aspergris]

5. vindicated

When the MSM et al were all gushing over jones at Sidney olympics, I was about 90% confident, she was juiced. I was told "hell, no. Not her!"

Nice to know I was vindicated. Marion, I could not care less if you used or not. Imo, it makes the sport more interesting when athletes use - but if you are going to lie under oath, they are going to spank you.

Do I think she should get jail time? No

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

6. Pathetic!

Who the fuck is going to be next to ask? Dog-fight advocate Michael Vick? Khloe Kardassian?

How about taking some personal responsibility for your actions and salvaging what is left of your self-respect, you over-privileged gaping sphincters!

[LostinVA]

8. She deserved a sentence for her check scam, but I say let her go

Her reputation and career are ruined. No color commentor or coaching job for her -- ever, which is more punishment than any prison term can ever give her.

I feel a bit sorry for her, because I honestly think she was used by coaches and mentors, and got caught up in something that spun out of control. I hate that sports have been ruined by juicing, but I agree with Jose: team owners, coaches, sponsors, etc. ALL know what's up, and like it, because it makes good TV, sells more shoes, etc.

She deserved to be convicted, but I have no problem with a pardon. The whole ENRON, et al group have done worse.Jones primarily harmed herself.

[gsplfnk]

9. Why deal with chimpy?

Look, if she holds some moral high ground, why is Marion Jones trying to deal with a president with a 29 percent approval rating? Bush is an international criminal. Why would Marion Jones force herself upon him this way?

Can't she just wait until Obama is in the WH? Look, she's not going to skate free under any president, but better she should skate by Obama rather than by the current criminal element.

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

10. Let's see

Governor Bush commuted how many again.....hmmm

[ozone_man]

11. What other athletes that have doped have gone to jail?

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens should be in jail, but they're baseball players, so a different set of rules seem to apply.

On the other hand, the Olympics should reflect pure sportsmanship, but they have been degraded to being professional status with all of the advertising endorsements. The way to fix it is to keep it where it originated, in Greece. All of this commercialism has ruined it. Keeping it in one location will fix that. It should be about athleticism as it was intended to be, not being a commercial success or a demonstration of nationalism.