Why pardon this criminal?

Today, just in time for Christmas, President Bush pardoned 19 and commuted the sentence of another.  Though I couldn’t find details on all of them, most served their sentences long ago and this act simply restores rights that are denied to convicted felons.

I cannot understand why he pardoned this criminal, who is scheduled for release in February.

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Reed Raymond Prior–Convicted of methamphetamine posession with intent to distribute. Sentenced to life in prison with 10 years of supervised release.

From his appeal filed February 27, 1997

Acting upon information that Prior was dealing in narcotics, police made numerous attempts to locate Prior. On May 2, 1995, police located Prior’s vehicle at a Motel 6 in Des Moines, Iowa. They observed Prior carrying bags to his car as he prepared to leave his room. Police officers followed Prior to a mini storage unit where they saw him transferring items from his vehicle to the storage unit. Police officers then obtained a search warrant for the storage unit and Prior’s vehicle. During the search, officers found a large quantity of methamphetamine in a duffle bag on the floor of the storage unit. In all, the police seized 869 grams of methamphetamine from the vehicle and storage unit. The police also seized a scale, other drug paraphernalia, and $17,690 in cash.

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What’s the point in fighting the war on drugs if we’re not going to hold those who are caught accountable?  Crystal meth is a huge problem around here and its distribution deserves harsh penalties.  This drug is ruining lives every day.

Bush’s pardon of this dealer only emboldens others who prey on our children by selling this crap!