George W. Bush has (finally) pardoned--correction, COMMUTED THE SENTENCES of--Ramos and Capion. Not three cheers, but I'm glad Bush freed the men from jail. As I understand it, however, their felony convictions stand.

Now, Mr. President-for-23-more-hours: Please pardon Sgt. Evan Vela. The White House confirmed to Vela's father earlier this month that the president was seriously reviewing the case,

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New question: Why would the White House send such a letter to Vela's family? That is, couldn't the White House have made its decision, up or down, without injecting what seems likely to have been false hope into the Vela family's ordeal? I don't get George Bush.