A few weeks ago, I started to think about Presidential pardons. It is the kind of thing one hears about at the end of a President's term. This President has had more of a reign of terror than a term so I was expecting a massive wave of pardons.

Then I realized that you cannot pardon someone until you have actually charged and convicted them. By ignoring their own crimes, I guess Bush wont be able to pardon anyone.

Then I read this article.

"pre-emptive clemency"? Just when you think they couldn't stoop any lower, they do.

The puzzling part is that Bush isn't going to do it. Maybe they are true-believers, going to head up to the stand and profess their innocence the way Sen. Ted Stevens did.

I cant wait.

Sweeping Pardons 'Unnecessary'

White House Is Disinclined to Grant Clemency to Officials Involved in Terror Policies

By EVAN PEREZ

Wall Street Journal

November 25, 2008

WASHINGTON -- The White House isn't inclined to grant sweeping pardons for former administration officials involved in harsh interrogations and detentions of terror suspects, according to people familiar with the situation.

Some Republicans have been pushing for President George W. Bush to grant pre-emptive clemency to officials who fear being investigated by Democratic critics. White House officials have countered that such pardons are unnecessary, these people say. The officials point to Justice Department legal opinions that supported the administration's methods of detaining and interrogating terror suspects.

Some former Bush administration officials have argued against a blanket pardon for post-9/11 activities, saying it would be tantamount to an admission that the Bush policies weren't legal.

People familiar with the matter cautioned that the White House's position is still being formulated and may change. If Mr. Bush does hold off, it would leave the matter in the hands of President-elect Barack Obama.

Mr. Obama has said he wants quick closure of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and transition officials have indicated there may be a commission established to study Bush-era terror policies. One criminal investigation is already under way: a Justice Department probe into the destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes.