Ex-President Bush on pardons
Thumbs down to former President George W. Bush for not pardoning Sgt. Evan Vela. Instead of hearkening to Idaho’s congressmen and the opinions of area folks who would probably be considered loyal constituents, Bush decided to punt the future of the scapegoat in the killing of Iraqi citizen, Genei Nasir al-Janabi.
This decision brings only more sadness and bitterness to Vela’s family, while at the same time, lessoning the already poor opinion most folks seem to have of Bush.
Bush felt it right to commute the sentences of two former Border Patrol officers for their killing of a Mexican drug dealer, then why not a loyal soldier in the line of duty?

Legislature pay
Thumbs up to the Idaho Legislature that is in the process of rejecting its 5 percent pay raise.
The Associated Press reported that rejecting the pay increase could save the state around $180,000. Gov. Otter also got into the spirit.
Even though he legally can’t reject his pay raise of 3 percent, he will donate the raise of $3,...

Note: The following is a letter to President George W. Bush on behalf of Sgt. Evan Vela, the Idaho soldier convicted of murder. For details on how you can help Vela, visit www.freeevanvela.com.

Dear President Bush,

The Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., military prison holds a man in his 20s convicted of murder ­— Army Sgt. Evan Vela of southeastern Idaho. The conviction was wrong, and we are asking you to pardon him.
Mr. Bush, Vela is not a war criminal. He is a political prisoner. Here’s why.
Vela did kill Iraqi civilian Genei Nasir al-Janabi. We do not deny this. But we invite to you take a look at the circumstances surrounding the incident. It was not a random act of violence or rage.
Vela was part of a five-man sniper team in Iskandariya in May 2007. The team stumbled onto al-Janabi and his son.
Staff Sgt. Michael Hensley, Vela’s commanding officer, ordered him to shoot al-Janabi, and Vela followed the order.
Your first reaction to this may have been, “What was Vela thinking? How could anyone, soldier or not, shoot a civilian...