The Clintons - David Geffen

READ: Feb. 22, 2007 — The sharpest political snipes among the Democratic 2008 presidential hopefuls can be traced beyond media mogul David Geffen to a jailed man named Leonard Peltier.

Peltier, convicted of murder in 1977 for allegedly gunning down a pair of FBI agents in a shootout at South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, was one of the primary reasons cited by Geffen for jumping ship from New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign in favor of fellow Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

Lawyers have been challenging Peltier's conviction for the past 30 years. He has become a cause celebre, with critics arguing that the government's successful prosecution was corrupt.

In 2001, Geffen, a key Democratic supporter with deep pockets and influence among Hollywood's elite, was one of many high-profile backers of a clemency campaign for Peltier, an American Indian activist, during the final days of Bill Clinton's presidency.

FBI supporters, however, fought back, launching an aggressive campaign of their own to keep a man who they believed killed two agents behind bars. Among their tactics were full-page newspaper ads and a march on the White House to influence Clinton's decision.

Ultimately, Peltier was left off a list of 140 people granted presidential pardons by Clinton during his second term.

"President Clinton looked at the facts and did not act," one agent said at the time. "That's all I've ever wanted out of this."

But the list of people who received clemency, teamed with the continued belief by many that Peltier was wrongfully convicted, left many angered by Clinton's decision.

"Up to the last minute, they were fully expecting that he would receive clemency," Barry Bachrach, Peltier's attorney, told ABC News. "But you end up seeing people like Marc Rich, a known felon, getting clemency instead." (Source: ABC News http://www.abcnews.com )

So here it is, folks. Written in black and white for all of us to read is an admittance that Presidential paroles can be purchased. In this case, David Geffen thought the going price for his friend’s parole was $18 Million.

However, I can’t just put this on Clinton Shoulders as this “Buying of favors” is common practice with our politicians. As George said last week, “Money Trumps Peace.”

What’s Wrong America?