3 ms·

The response they've given in the past to pardon petitions isn't much of a response at all. I expect a similar non-answer here. Cf. https://petitions.whitehous

by wl 13y ago

The response they've given in the past to pardon petitions isn't much of a response at all. I expect a similar non-answer here. Cf. https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/why-we-cant-comment-bradley-manning https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/why-we-cant-commen... https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/why-we-can’t-comment-marc-emery https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/why-we-can’t-comme...

zachgersh 13y ago
That's actually really sad that they will blatantly not comment on a high profile petition.
- graue 13y ago
  Those petitions aren't terribly high-profile: they're sitting at 6619 and 8249 signatures each, versus nearly 100K for the Snowden petition.
- mpyne 13y ago
  Why do people on here simultaneously ask for "no selective enforcement!" but then when it's their guy in trouble, ask for special favors?
fnordfnordfnord 13y ago
No matter. It's a gesture. A hundred thousand people giving them the bird.
- dllthomas 13y ago
  If we get that to 300 million, they'll have to do something.
mindcrime 13y ago
I don't expect much of a response either, but I still think it sends an important message, if this gets over the threshold (and it looks like it will).
dllthomas 13y ago
From the Bradley Manning link: "the White House may decline to address certain procurement, law enforcement, adjudicatory, or similar matters properly within the jurisdiction of federal departments or agencies, federal courts, or state and local government." This is a petition to pardon, which is solely the power of the President. They can't - with any legitimacy - claim that commenting on this would be stepping on someone else's toes. Apparently, they "[do] not comment, however, on individual pardon applications," according to the Marc Emery. I hope they will make an exception in this case, as this instance speaks to much broader policy. Regardless, sign the petition!
- ceejayoz 13y ago
  > This is a petition to pardon, which is solely the power of the President. They can't - with any legitimacy - claim that commenting on this would be stepping on someone else's toes. They can, as at this point he hasn't convicted. Promising to pardon (or declining to do so) in advance of trial would indeed be stepping on the legal system's toes.
  - gaadd33 13y ago
    That hasn't seemed to stop the executive branch from pardoning people who have been charged but not convicted of anything. (Off the top of my head Marc Rich comes to mind, probably Nixon and a few others too)
    - dllthomas 13y ago
      Nixon wasn't even charged, as I understand it, and there have been others.
davesque 13y ago
Well, if they do that, then we'll just have to start another petition. Or organize a protest. We'll have to do something to indicate that we won't stand for it. At the end of the day, they are employed by us.

by wl 13y ago

zachgersh 13y ago

That's actually really sad that they will blatantly not comment on a high profile petition.

graue 13y ago
Those petitions aren't terribly high-profile: they're sitting at 6619 and 8249 signatures each, versus nearly 100K for the Snowden petition.
mpyne 13y ago
Why do people on here simultaneously ask for "no selective enforcement!" but then when it's their guy in trouble, ask for special favors?

fnordfnordfnord 13y ago

No matter. It's a gesture. A hundred thousand people giving them the bird.

dllthomas 13y ago
If we get that to 300 million, they'll have to do something.

mindcrime 13y ago

I don't expect much of a response either, but I still think it sends an important message, if this gets over the threshold (and it looks like it will).

dllthomas 13y ago

From the Bradley Manning link: "the White House may decline to address certain procurement, law enforcement, adjudicatory, or similar matters properly within the jurisdiction of federal departments or agencies, federal courts, or state and local government." This is a petition to pardon, which is solely the power of the President. They can't - with any legitimacy - claim that commenting on this would be stepping on someone else's toes. Apparently, they "[do] not comment, however, on individual pardon applications," according to the Marc Emery. I hope they will make an exception in this case, as this instance speaks to much broader policy. Regardless, sign the petition!

ceejayoz 13y ago
> This is a petition to pardon, which is solely the power of the President. They can't - with any legitimacy - claim that commenting on this would be stepping on someone else's toes. They can, as at this point he hasn't convicted. Promising to pardon (or declining to do so) in advance of trial would indeed be stepping on the legal system's toes.
- gaadd33 13y ago
  That hasn't seemed to stop the executive branch from pardoning people who have been charged but not convicted of anything. (Off the top of my head Marc Rich comes to mind, probably Nixon and a few others too)
  - dllthomas 13y ago
    Nixon wasn't even charged, as I understand it, and there have been others.

davesque 13y ago

Well, if they do that, then we'll just have to start another petition. Or organize a protest. We'll have to do something to indicate that we won't stand for it. At the end of the day, they are employed by us.