Bush might decide to issue pre-emptive pardons before he leaves office

[lovuian]

Bush might decide to issue pre-emptive pardons before he leaves office
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081124/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_pardons

this is taking the President Pardon system to major extreme

Pre-emptive Pardon?????????WTF:wtf:

[SammyWinstonJack]

1. Keeping in character for the poo flinger in chief. Would we expect anything less of him?

:silly:

[mw]

2. wouldn't be the first time a Bush pardoned his criminal staff:

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. An eleventh hour pardon to save his sorry ass. And his crummy son will do the same.

[Horse with no Name]

4. The only thing that would have prevented this was impeaching bush

There were SO many good reasons to do so that were Constitutionally sound. The pardons are just one more injustice in a long line of injustices that we will be forced to endure.
I was always under the impression that he could not pre-emptively pardon anyone, but I was wrong.

Get ready for the Lone Ranger to be unmasked. We'll see all the players in the light of day when they receive their pardons.
http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_pard.html
>>>snip
Finally, there is no review of pardons. This issue, too, was brought up in the Constitutional Convention, that pardons be granted with the consent of the Senate, but the measure was defeated on the vote of eight states to one. In modern days, there is an office in the Justice Department where pardons are sent, and a Pardons Attorney who reviews and recommends applications. The President may still receive pardons personally, and may grant them at any time. The President need not provide a reason for a pardon, and the courts and the Congress have no legal authority to approve, disapprove, reject, or accept a pardon. Currently, the only way to change the pardon power is by constitutional amendment, though history has shown that the scope of the power can be modified by the courts (as in the acceptance doctrine).

[Lars39]

5. Ray Blanton comes to mind.

I'd love to see Obama sworn in early because of Bush's wrongdoing.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. Ford Issued A Pre-Emptive Pardon For Nixon

There's precedent.

[lovuian]

8. Notice Republicans do it the most

this is not justice

[lurky]

7. There are so many people involved in these wrongdoings

I don't think it's possible to name them all individually. Is it possible for him to issue a general pardon, like "anybody who authorized or committed torture is absolved"? Also, did anybody ever try to challenge the Nixon pardon? Has it been tested in court? It seems to open up a lot of funny doors, like pardoning people for future crimes, etc... Just wondering... Thanks!

:hi:

[Horse with no Name]

9. Yes.

A pardon can also be granted to a class of people, such as those involved in the Whiskey Rebellion. In US v Klein (80 US 128), the Supreme Court upheld such blanket or group pardons — President James Carter pardoned all Vietnam draft dodgers

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_pard.html

Of course, how would you word that?

"I, George W. Bush, hereby issue pardons to anyone/everyone that has given me, my family, or my friends monetary consideration for doing their bidding".

The wording could be a little tricky...but I'm sure there is a team of lawyers (on our dime) working on it as we speak.