One Reporter's Opinion — Border Agents Deserve Better

One Reporter's Opinion — Border Agents Deserve Better

George Putnam
Friday, Feb. 9, 2007

	Book on Katie Couric Makes Waves
	White House: We're Not Subject to FOIA
	FBI Seeks 2 Mysterious Men on Ferry
	Publisher: Conservatives Do Read As Much As Liberals
	Romney Shrugs Off Mormon History Film

It is this reporter's opinion that in my 72 years of covering the news, we have never witnessed such a miscarriage of justice as in the case of the two U.S. Border Patrol officers.

Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean are imprisoned following the shooting and wounding of a Mexican drug smuggler, Osvaldo Aldrete Davila.

As the story unravels, each day brings forward lies, distortions, and cover-ups. At least two Department of Homeland Security documents contradict the version of events put forth by the U.S. attorney, a Bush appointee, who prosecuted the case.

There are persistent charges that the White House wants to make an example of the two U.S. border agents' behavior. The most recent revelation is testimony by a Department of Homeland Security official that his staff lied to members of Congress concerning reports that Ramos and Compean confessed they "wanted to shoot a Mexican."

The admission came during the testimony of DHS Inspector General Richard L. Skinner before the DHS subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.

Demands are being made by congressional members for a full investigation. Previously, the DHS inspector general's office asserted that it has the following documentary evidence on Ramos and Compean:

They confessed that they knowingly shot an unarmed suspect.

Story Continues Below

They stated during interrogation that they did not believe the suspect was a threat at the time of the shooting.

They stated that day they "wanted to shoot a Mexican."

The two were belligerent to investigators.

They destroyed evidence and lied to investigators.

Under questioning, Skinner admitted DHS did not have investigative reports to back up the claims. Skinner's exact quote: "The person who told you that misinformed you."

In other words, Skinner admitted the lie.

Meanwhile Ramos and Compean are serving 11 and 12 years, respectively, in prison on what amounts to false charges. Rep. Ted Poe of Texas, a Republican, says Skinner's testimony — his lies — explain why DHS has been stonewalling Congress.

Memos that directly contradict statements of the U.S. prosecuting attorney, Johnny Sutton, are now being produced on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, over the past weekend, Ramos was severely beaten by alleged illegal aliens confined to prison.

And what is the response for all this and the demands that the president pardon these two dedicated public servants?

The White House responds that there are procedures to follow in considering a presidential pardon.

Question? Were search procedures necessary in the pardon of Richard Nixon?

Here are the facts:

Sutton, who has so obsessively prosecuted the case, has close ties with Bush and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Sutton is known as one of Bush's "can-do guys."

Sutton, a former assistant district attorney in Harris County, Texas, hitched his wagon to Bush's star in 1995 when Bush became president, as policy coordinator for the Bush-Cheney transition team, and soon went to Washington as associate deputy attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice.

In 2001, Bush appointed him U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas with 118 lawyers under him. He also serves as chairman of the attorney general's Advisory Committee.

And now it is rumored that Bush will nominate Sutton to the federal bench before the President leaves office.

The prison assault is only the latest twist to the tale; subsequently, it has sparked a political firestorm in Washington.

Much of the outrage results from the fact that Sutton offered an immunity deal to a lifelong drug smuggler and chose to prosecute two dedicated public servants.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California, a Republican, is enraged over the president's action or lack of action in this case, calling Bush "a disgrace."

It is also noted that the prison guards did not stop the weekend prison assaults on Ramos.

Another congressman says if either of these two border guards is killed while in prison, a call will be made for the president's impeachment.

Andy Ramirez, who is covering the story as chairman of Friends of the Border Patrol, says we are witnessing "obstruction of justice, and they should be held in contempt of Congress, and, if possible, prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

We have witnessed a complete distortion of fact in order to ensure a conviction.

Editor's note:
Get the Picture That Made America Proud on 9/11 – Click Here
5 Recession-Proof Stocks to Buy Now
Doctor: Pure Water Can Save Your Life – Click Here Now

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Immigration/Borders