Sunday, September 19, 2010

Posthumous pardon sought for Johnson .

Source:  http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4032510

Constitutional Connection:  Article II Section 2- "The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."

Explanation of Connection:  Senator McCain wanted President Obama to give Johnson a posthumous pardon. Johnson a boxer was convicted  in 1913 of violating the Mann Act, which made it illegal to transport women across state lines for immoral purposes. Johnson's family believed his conviction was racially motivated. It is rare that Presidents give posthumous pardons.

I think the President should give Johnson a pardon. This is one of the Presidents powers he can exercise.  African Americans throughout history were wrongly accused of many things. This would be an opportunity for the President pardon a man who was discriminated against.

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