Pardon the border agents before Christmas. That is the right thing to do. Also, take care of Scooter Libby.

London, Orlando, FL

what about everyone sitting in Guantanamo bay without any kind of trial...not guilty and no publcly admissible evidence. When Bush finally goes i am hoping Obama brings them back into the legitimate judicial system

patrick, , Singapore

If a conviction hapens in a recognised court of law then surely the sentence should be served unless additional information comes to light. I'd like to believe that Bush will only be pardoning those who have a valid case for miscarriage of justice........ but I doubt it!!!!

DD, Manchester, UK

Finally did something decent...

Malcolm, Brooklyn,

Free Compean and Ramos

brian, san antonio, US of A

Bush pardons a drug smuggler.

While Border agents Compean and Ramos rot in a Federal prison for shooting a drug smuggler.

Jeff, Lebanon, IN, USA

If Bush fails to pardon or commute the sentences of Ramos and Compean, then he will officially seal his fate as the worst president in U.S. history - and I voted for the man twice. BRING ON THE THIRD PARTY!

Jeff Williams, Pullman, WA (USA)

I think the pardons should go even beyond Ramos and Campeon to include all those innocent marines and naval personnel in the Haditha affair. We did not put those men in harms way to defend our country only to have them court -martialed for doing their duty too!

Geoff Pace, Salem, USA

They shot an unarmed man who was running away from them. Those guys deserve to be in prison. I am suprised they weren't pardoned but am incredibly glad they aren't. Why anyone thinks that smuggeling marijuana deserves a death sentance is beyond me. Doing his job?give me a break

Kyle, Dallas, USA

what the heck bush heres your chance 2 do something right!!!!!!

Perhaps the two most deserving of a pardon are instead quickly being forgotten: border agents Ramos & Compean.

mike bartalotta, scranton, usa

President Bush - Please give the families of Agent Ramos & Agent Compean the most awesome Christmas present, THEIR RELEASE! They were protecting our country & did NOTHING to deserve the treatment they have received. They should be praised for their service to our Country.

Diana Mattison, Fort Collins, USA

Ramos and Compean? Just because the guy they shot is a crook, doesn't mean that they are absolved of lying and a cover-up. They are held to a much higher standard and should sleep in the bed they made. Good riddance to those fools.

Mr. Barnhollow, San Antonio,

Perhaps the two most deserving of a pardon are instead quickly being forgotten: border agents Ramos & Compean.

John , Springfield, MA, USA

Free Ramos and Compean! Bush and his corporate goons have totally dismantled this nation. Obama will continue this crime against the United States. Look who gets pardons, white collar thieves! The very people responsible for the problems in our country now! Democrats and Republicans out!

Brian, Kansas City, Kansas

Free Ramos and Compean!

Jacky Wilson, Brevard, USA

How about pardoning the two border patrol agents? We released the drug dealer they were attempting to arrest, paid him damages and allowed him to return home. How can we protect our borders if we won't protect our border enforcers.

Chuck Taylor, Alpine, USA

Bush will never sink as low as Clinton did in his pardons.

Shawn, Boston, USA

Free Ramos and Compean!

Scott, Austin,

I thought pardons were for when a mistake had been made. Were these people guilty or not? Very confusing article.

Victoria, London, UK

Give him time. He has until 20 Jan 09 to continue pardons. My bet is he will free the Border Agents.

JLC, Richmond, VA,

For giggles, look up Clinton's pardons. Some of those are real jaw-droppers.

Ed, Atlanta, US

On August 22, 1999, Tony Martin of Emneth, Norfolk , England , killed one burglar and wounded a second. In April, 2000, he was convicted and is now serving a life term. When you can fix the seemingly endless travesties in your own country then take a shot at ours. Not before.

Rick, Milton, USA

The U.S. Constitution gives pardon power to the President. It has seldom been used in a corrupt way, but those instances certainly stand out (such as Mark Rich).

It is used to clear the record of the wrongly convicted, and forgive those punished too harshly. It is the last option for justice.

Kevin, Texas, USA

What about the internment without trial or cause in Northern Ireland? Better to pardon the questionably guilty than to imprison the innocent. Which one grants more freedoms?

John, Minneapolis, U.S.A.

A pardon is a an act of forgiveness. There is no theoritical need to forgive an innocent person. The act has no check. The one absolute constitutional power given to the US President. Clemancy is an act of mercy acknowledging that the punishment can be excessive to the crime.

Laura, Baltimore, US

Hey Bush, how about giving a pardon to folks that really deserve one, like border patrol agent Jose Alonso Compean and his partner Ignacio Ramos? They shoot a scumbag drug dealer on the border and they get prison time? An American disgrace, but Bush should be used to that by now. Revolution!

Eric, Knoxville, USA

TO you people slamming Bush for his pardons, where
were you when Clinton was doing this?

(I am not saying I agree with it, just that it Clinton was guilty
of pardoning far more people.)

Larry, London,

"Pardon drugie rappers but leave the border agents that shot a drug dealer to be killed in prison.

Thanks for a final slap in the face to law abiding citizens"

I agree with much of what Bush has done, but letting those officers be persecuted is inexcusable

XZY, Pleasantville,

Simon: "I may be a bit dumb, but why are there pardons for people who were guilty?"

1) Gross violations of justice
or 2) Friend of the President

It's usually one of the two. Some people are found guilty on technicalities with political motives behind them. The boarder guards should also be free.

Bob, Chicago, IL, USA

Presidential Pardons are given to individuals who are ill or going to die. Others have already did their time in prison or completed their probation. The pardon gives them a clean slate. A convicted felon submits a form, its investigated and the President decides. Violent felons rarely get one.

Thomas, Kingsland, Georgia, United States of America

Bush needs to stick to pardoning thanksgiving turkeys and leave the other turkeys in the clink.

LKS, Seattle,

i know a couple of million americans who would like to migrate BACK to england. we would assimilate easily and with enthusiasm. why bring in third world muslims and africans who are screaming racism before they even get off the boat?

joseph, new york, new york

Pardon the people protecting our borders not the rappers who are trying to smuggle drugs into the country. PARDON COMPEAN and RAMOS!

Logan, Houston, USA

Pardon drugie rappers but leave the border agents that shot a drug dealer to be killed in prison.

Thanks for a final slap in the face to law abiding citizens

Dave, Grand Rapids,

I may be a bit dumb, but why are there pardons for people who were guilty? - seems a strange concept.

who chooses the lucky individuals?
Have in the past any of these people gone on after being released and commited crime again?

Simon, Nottingham, UK

Yep, this looks like a fair and transparent legal system. Convicted by a jury of peers but pardoned by an outgoing president with no accountability and nothing to lose. We should adapt it over here and give Boris Johnson the right to pardon and release anyone he feels like. Should be fun!

Will , Liverpool , UK