CNN

You people supporting this need to google FALN and the pardons. The FBI tracked 146 bombings as well as numerous other felonies to FALN. 9 people, including 2 police officers died. Hundreds were injured, dozens permanently disabled. Although none of the deaths were directly traceable to those given clemancy, they refused to renounce violence, a condition of the clemancy. Clinton violated federal guidelines and FBI advice in making the pardons. The pardons were granted even though the prisoners never even asked for them! Those pardoned refused to help solve other unsolved FALN bombings, a usual condition of pardons. Congress condemned the pardons by a bipartisan vote of 95-2 in the Senate and 311-41 in the House. Internal Clinton memos showed that the effect of the pardons on the hispanic vote (Hillary was running for the Senate in a state with 1.4 million hispanic voters) was considered. Holder thinks this is 'reasonable'? So is kicking Holders butt back to wherever he came from.

Well it does make sense. Democrats are the terrorists best friends, why wouldn't they want to help them out. What a lying sack of crap this guy is, he will fit right in with the Obama administration.

To all the dimple heads beating their chest on so called "pardons".. Take it up with BILL CLINTON.. HE GRANTED THE PARDONS, NOT ERIC HOLDER...what is wrong with everyone here???? Where is the vitrol and questions of questionable pardons by THE CURRENT PRESIDENT
G. BUSH??? WHERE IS YOU CONCERN ABOUT PARDONS WITHIN THE LAST MONTH BY G.BUSH???

If you care so much about pardons, then there should be equal concern who bush is granting pardons to unless of course it is all usual rhetoric with as much outrage as lipstick on a pig stuff..

spare me the outrage.. there are going to be legitimate issues you can hammer the obama administration on and there will be plenty of them so save your phony vitrol for a rainy day!!!

The United States has financed and otherwise supported individuals and groups that we now consider terrorists or near terrorists:

Manuel Noriega in Panama

Saddam Hussein (the US gave him arms to fight the Iranians in the Iran/Iraq war)

The Taliban and later what became al Qaeda to defeat the Russians in Afghanistan.

So before we start accusing administrations of being "soft" on terrorists, let's acknowledge the fact that some of them are "Made in the USA"

Curious if some of you would have behind the practice of the Romans when they regularly cruxified those who would proport themselves as messianic leaders? Or perhaps the practice of feeding the christians to the lions? Please keep in mind that this was justified because of the fear of sedition. . Just asking

Why not torture? It is wrong and can not be justified. If we would like the more backwards places to improve we should at least be the best example we can as to what is not to be deemed acceptable.

Benjamin Franklin (the most impressive of all the founding fathers) is on the record for saying "Those who would give up freedom for security shall have neither" That my friends is the line in the sand.

What wonderfully peaceful people Americans are.

Reading these comments it is perfectly understandable how you murder 12,000 of your own each year!!

Well put it this way... he's liberal, so I'm sure all the racists, aka right wing conservatives (fascists) will be up in arms.

HOLDER IS BY ALL STANDARDS A GOOD AND HONEST MAN, AND WHEN YOU HAVE MAFIOSI WHO ADMIT TO 20 OR MORE MURDERS OUT IN THE STREETS, THE PORTORICANS SHOULD AND WERE PARDONED. AS LONG AS THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION,S CRIMINALS ARE FREE, SO SHOULD EVERY ONE ELSE.

Looks like the only thing Biden will be right about is that we'll probably be hit by terrorists in the next 6 months. Theyr'e probably laughing their butts off now about how easy it's going to be to hit the Stupid Americans.

Their activities did not result in "physical harm" to anyone...using that very same logic clemency should be granted to all the former officers of Enron and all those other corporate lairs, swindlers, cheats, etc. They never did anyone any "physical harm". So I guess what you are getting at is that it is okay to terrorize with violence, just as long as you don't physically harm them, its okay? Are you serious?

BY THE WAY WHAT COUNTRY IS THIS AND WHAT COUNTRY WILL WE BE IN 4 YEARS!!!!!!

I REALIZE THE FOREIGN COUNTRIES SAID THEY WOULD DESTROY AMERICA FROM THE INSIDE OUT BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WOULD BE WITHIN MY LIFE TIME THIS QUICK!!!!!!!!!

Let's all hold hands, love a terrorist, have a group hug and sing "Kumbaya".

The NEW American Way.

Thanks, Barak.

Another bad nominee:

YOU MAY HAVE A CASE OF BAD MEMORY.:

IT WAS REGAN AND OILVER NORT WHO SOLD ADVANCE MISILE TECNOLOGY TO THE IRANIANS, AND THAT WAS AFTER THE HOSTAGES.. OF COURSE THAT WAS NOT TERRORISM..

YOU ARE A TRUE IDIOT...

this is nothing at all like osama bin laden and alqueda.

osama's act did cause the deads of thousand of americans and others.

the faln actions just destroyed property.

YOU MAKE THINK BUSH WAS BAD FOR THE COUNTRY.

NOW IN 2 YEARS FROM NOW YOU MAY WISH YOU HAD BUSH TO KICK AROUND. FOR BY THAT TIME ALL YOUR TAXES ARE PILLING UP AN PAST DUE . NO WHERE TO GET ANY MORE STIMULAS PACKAGES , NO WPA , NO CCC CAMPS. SO YOU GO BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF . THAT SOLVES EVERYTHING. SEEING ENEOUGHT OF IT ALREADY.
ILLEGALS WILL HAVE ALL THE JOBS, AN NEXT WE WILL HAVE A WAR WITH MEXICO , ALMOST THERE NOW. MORE AND LIKELY IRAN WILL BE JOINED UP WITH RUSSIA . ALL READY FLEXING THERE MIGHTY FIST AT THERE NEIGHBORS.

YET OBAMA IS GOING TO SIT DOWN , AN DISCUSS HOW TO SURRENDER TO iRAN . WHAT ELSE THEY WILL HAVE THERE CAKE AN EAT IT ALSO.

UP TILL ELECTION, YOU HAVE SEEN THE BEST OF AMERICA'S ERA IN OUR LIFE TIME. YOU WANTED A LIAR IN THWE WHITE HOUSE, YOU GOT HIM , AN ALREADY LOOK AT ALL THE FLIP FLOPPIN AN HE HAS NOT BEEN SWORN IN. LOOK AT THE COST OF THIS PARTY , MOSTLY FUNDED BY WALL STREET . THEN THEY CAN ASK FOR MORE.

???? SEAT WARMERS FOR THE PORTI POTTIES IS IN DEMAND. NEXT WILL BE SHARRON CROWN HANDING OUT THE TISSUE, AN ALL YOU GET IS ON SQUARE, FOR THAT IS WHAT , SHE SAYS ALL SHE USES.

GOD BLESS THE USA. . JUST GLAD i AM 92.

It's a shame that the crazy Americans who voted for The One, can't see past his tactics. They'll obviously support anyone he chooses for any position. We are most definetly screwed. Maybe we can survive 4 years and people will wake up and see him for who he is and get all the rats out of Washington.

@ Bern

These weren't pardons.

@ BJ

These PR guys each spent 20 or so years in prison, so no, by this logic Obama does not remain free forever.

P.S. Yeah, I know it's Holder. He's still right as rain. Ha!

To Wow and your counterparts,

PE Obama knows that he is not superman – it's you guys that think he is! He will do a great job. He will even find Bin Laden, who hasn't moved from Pakistan since he went into hiding there. Bush and his people, were all about using the government as a tool for their manipulative pleasures, instead of as an entity to serve the country, and enhance the lives of its citizens. Mr. Holderman will be confirmed, and there's nothing you can do about it, but continue fill blogs with your meaningless jabberings.

Peace In -12009!

@thefletch January 15th, 2009 2:03 pm ET
you liberals voted for obama and you expected anything different? did you not listen to this guy?we will all pay and pay and pay…….
I suppose you Voted For BUSH 2X...........yes we will pay and pay and pay***@MJMHow was our country better with this guy as AG?How was this COUNTRY BETTER with BUSH and CHENEY?8YRS and HOW ABOUT THE KU KlUX KLANS (terrorist)***

A pardon is a pardon. In every case an argument can be made that the pardon should not be granted. President Clinton used his power to grant the pardons. Not Holder. If you have a problem with pardons, any pardons, take it up with the person with the power to grant them.

Holder is a good man and should be confrimed.

So if we use this logic, then Osama will forever remain a free man, since he did not actually kill anyone...

The level of stupidity here continues to amaze me...

Sure it was "reasonable" if the price was right!

This goes deeper than this current and soon to be administration. The politics of our Puerto Rican commonwealth (who happen to be Americans, if you don't like it blame the Presidency for starting the SAW 100 years ago)is a very delecate matter. As everyone knows from the begining of this country new commers and long standing citizens were not exactly welcomed with open arms...sometimes it takes more than a century to fit in. What we have done in PR in the past, and what they had done in 50's is over let's move forward. Look at all the things our own CIA have done. No one ever wants to admit that their poop stinks too.

Americans need to forgive these Puerto Ricans because people who committed homicides are granted political asylum in Brazil or in France. Ex: Cesare Battisti an Italian living in Brazil wanted in Italy for 4 homicides has just been granted "political" asylum by Brazil.
Marina Petrella was a BR(Brigate Rosse) an Italian terrorist group in the 70s,80s wanted in Italy for the murder of a police officer is allowed to stay in France, she will not be extradited.
We can live together, good people and bad people like one big happy family.

Edwin, A typical response. How you can manage to compare terrorists with George Washington is way beyond my comprehension. Now, perhaps if they had found a few sites to pick on in Old San Juan, it wouldn't have been so bad.

Policy shift starting January 20....America is SOFT ON TERRORISM

Leniency towards terrorists will be a hallmark of the Obama administration. You leftist, liberal, socialists have gotten your wish.

GOD HELP US ALL!!!

OK...

The U.S. has backed various nefarious characters (tManuel Noriega, Saddam Hussein, the list goes on and on and on). Although they were SOBs, they were OUR SOBs.
So now we are going to cherry pick our terrorists?

**sigh**

By his logic, it is ok to bomb , as long s the building is empty and no body gets hurt. If they do get injured or killed, you can always blame it on them , because they shouldn't have been there when you thought the building was empty!

@ Another bad nominee

By your logic, we might as well arrest you before you do something to harm Obama or one of us "liberal geniuses." Sorry dude, but our country was founded in part on the principle that we do not punish thought.

@Another bad nominee:

Hey genius, perhaps you need to actually read and learn that they DID serve many years, they were not just "let go".

I love the way that commenters are saying they were ONLY convicted of conspiracy and sedition. Grab your dictionary, sedition is the provocation of rebellion against the government.

In the thesaurus, sedition has the following words listed as synonyms: agitation, defiance, disobedience, dissent, insubordination, insurgence, insurgency, insurrection, mutiny, revolt, revolution, treason, uprising.

Between Mark Rich and these clowns, no way should the American people be expected to trust Holder's judgment.

Maybe we should have waited for them to actually KILL INNOCENT AMERICANS and then arrest them.

Thnk about that logic when you are having dinner with your loved ones tonight LIBERAL GENIUSES.

WE are bleeped.

Marc Rich sold weapons to our enemies and disavowed his country, ripped GOOD PEOPLE OFF of millions and ran away like the gutless liberal he was, let's pardon him too.

Not my President, no way, no how.

You were warned but "hope" and "change" was so wonderful and he speaks so nice........................

I'll bet he recommends a pardon for Blago.

I'd bet there was a money trail involving those pardons.

To Richard T January 15th, 2009 1:51 pm ET – Sir, because Holder is the nominee of The Enlightened One, you obivously have issues and need to let go. Never mind the horror you saw, the images you can never forget, no matter how hard you try. But since we are now in the era of "Everybody's got ta feel good", we have to learn to just move on. After all, this is Obama's pick, isn't that in itself enough to make you forget the pain?

Now of course if it was a Republican who was going to be president, CNN would have already contacted you for their in-depth story "Republicans...Letting Terrorists Roam Free". But no, this is The Messiah's choice, so you are just gonna have to suck it up, forget the past, and move on....at least until the Republicans gain control.

Maybe we should have waited for them to actual KILL INOCENT AMERICANS and then arrest them.

Thnk about that logic when you are having dinner with your loved ones tonight LIBERAL GENIUSES.

WE are bleeped.

Not my President, no way, no how.

Learn the difference between a pardon and clemency, then open your yaps, but STFU before that.

Th e incompetence at the Justice Department will continue on into the Obama administration. Change You Can Believe In.

Can people come to the realization that Obama is now going to be president. All those who hate that too bad get use to it. We have him for four years either we get use to it or move to another country.

Who pardons...the Attorney General or the President? I think some of these posters need a civics lesson?

If I was a Republican or Democratic criminal in Congress, I would be praying that Holder is confirmed. His track record of being wishy washy is almost a guarantee that nothing will happen to you. Holder, is a poor choice for AG, Obama. If you have to bring someone from the Clinton era, bring back Janet Reno, at least we know she has a pair of balls and is not afraid to use them.

Karen – Missouri January 15th, 2009 1:59 pm ET

I'll ok with the questioning, however, Clinton is the one who made the pardons…funny it didn't come up when Hillary was campaigning.

With the expertise and background of Holder should give him the confirmation. I'd like to dig into the backgrounds of some of the Senators and see if they're so squeeky clean.

As long as we allow outgoing Presidents to make last-minute pardons on their way out….we can expect lots of strange things to happen that many people don't like, Yes, the 60s and 70s were turbulent times (I remember them well)…I also remember how much most people hated government back then. Let's put these things in CONTEXT with the era in which it happened!
********************************

So if one of these bombs killed a member of your family, would you still feel the same way? Committing a terrorist act is wrong regardless of what decade it is in.

For all you cynics – where were you when Gonzo was going for confirmation? Probably in the front row of the cheering section. Take you're nasty somewhere else.

We have a better chance with Holder and with Obama in the lead than we'd ever see with Bush and that lackey Gonzales.

Are you all beyond stupid? Obama will bring change, but he wants experienced people showing him the budget and situation. I admit Carter wasnt a good president, but if you say he is worse than Bush your IQ must be -5 and your probably in a mental hospital. As for Holder, I think his experience is nice and he was the DEPUTY attorney general, not THE attorney general, so why are we all crying? Some could say its because republicans are crying over the 2008 elections. NEWS FLASH: 2010 will be worse if you are freaking hypocrites.

karen-Phoenix January 15th, 2009 1:13 pm ET

The man will clean up Washington!!! Confirm him!!! He's good and NOT like the Bush group!!
______________________________________________________

Yeah, he will clean up Washington, but he won't stop terrorists. Some priorities, you've got here. Apparently you think the overblown rhetoric about Bush/Cheney "attrocities" makes them worse than terrorists. When another big terrorist attack hits the US, you will probably revive those idiotic Bush did it conspiracy theories.

Karen, get real, this guy is cleaning up nothing! You must be in isolation. To use Carter as an example, who was the worst loser to enter Washington, and Mrs. King, what does she have to do or know about terrorism. The writing, unfortunately, is on the wall, we are going sideays with this new bunch.,

I find it sad that this man and others that have been nominated are supposed to be the best we have to offer. They are all crooked. What are we doing/allowing to happen to our country. Is this really the path we the voters want to continue on. I am just dumbfounded at where we the voters are going. I guess it is okay to have no morals or values it ensures you a political future. Apparently we the voters do not care who we vote into office or who is appointed in to positions of power as long as we get our little crumb.

This guy is in too deep. He is obviously corrupt and was being used so now they want him in a position to do the same again. Oh, how they get worked over.

you liberals voted for obama and you expected anything different? did you not listen to this guy?

we will all pay and pay and pay.......

Commit acts of terrorist but say you did not intend to hurt anyone and you go free to commit more acts of terrorism. This is dumb, and anyone who endorses him is dumber.

Great job Obama supporters!

I'll ok with the questioning, however, Clinton is the one who made the pardons...funny it didn't come up when Hillary was campaigning.

With the expertise and background of Holder should give him the confirmation. I'd like to dig into the backgrounds of some of the Senators and see if they're so squeeky clean.

As long as we allow outgoing Presidents to make last-minute pardons on their way out....we can expect lots of strange things to happen that many people don't like, Yes, the 60s and 70s were turbulent times (I remember them well)...I also remember how much most people hated government back then. Let's put these things in CONTEXT with the era in which it happened!

Jesus people, they were NOT pardoned. They were granted clemency. IT'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE. Not one of them was convicted of criminally harming someone (just conspiracy and sedition), yet they received sentences of up to 105 years. They had all served 19+ years in prison when their sentences were commuted.

Moreover, the cardinal of NY and the archbishop of PR both also lobbied for Clinton to grant clemency. CNN conveniently left that out because it might temper some of the GOPers' commentaries here.

Obama knows best, he will never make a mistake. Believe in him and we will all be safe, eat honey and live in the sun.

These FALN criminals were not let off the hook. They were not convicted of any crimes that harmed another person (just conspiracy and sedition), but were given sentences ranging from 35 to 105 years. None of them had served less than 19 years at the time Clinton communted their sentences.

The prisoners were "bad people," said Holder, but clemency was warranted in part because none of their acts resulted in physical harm to anyone..... this is an oxymoron....just like Holder.

The cardinal of NY and the archbishoip of PR also supported it. What say you now GOPers?

Since they were fighting for Puerto Rican independence, they were no more terrorists than George Washington.

It was lunchtime on January 24, 1975, and I was across the street from Fraunces Tavern in Lower Manhattan's Financlai District, when FALN's terrorist bomb went off, killing 5 people and injuring 50. Let's let them go free! In December 1982, there was a wave of bombings, also in New York City and Brooklyn for which the FALN claimed responsibility (the Federal Courthouse in lower Manhattan, One Police Plaza in Manhattan, and at the Federal Courthouse at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn). Let's let them go free!
It may be 34 years since they blew up Fraunces Tavern, a historically revered place frequented by innocent tourists and bankers, but I remember it like yesterday. I was across the street in a small notions shop, and when the bomb blew, the entire building shook. I'm still working on Wall Street, and now, in light of 9/11, I am just a BIT prejudiced against terrorist groups. I say send them ALL to GITMO and let them rot and die there. Anyone care to disagree should have seen the carnage of the Twin Towers in person as I did when I returned to work that following Monday after 9/11/2001.
NEVER FORGET – NEVER FORGIVE

What?

Clemency because despite having every intention of harming someone, they failed to do so?

I'd try them for incompetence first.

Is anyone guilty with this guy? How was our country better with this guy as AG? And he's getting confirmed.... no problem.

At least Bush and Cheney don't have to worry about prosecution. This guy lets everyone go.

Karen – Phoenix, please pull ur head out of your @$$. The guy is a cronie of the Clinton administration. Let's get someone in there that isn't a "yes man".

ACCEPTABLE PARDONS???? These were terrorists who bombed US buildings. This guys reasoning why it was OK to grant them pardons is because their actions did not harm anyone. Typical Liberal. These wimps are exactly who Obama is going to fill his cabinet with. terrorist sympathizers

I like this man. He's reasonable and he's smart.
What I wish is that the congress and senate would investigate themselves and get rid of the crooked politicians.
I think the republicans worry that Holder will bring suit against the bush administration for torture and war crimes.

Pardon = forgiveness of the crime and the penalty that goes with it.

Clemency = lessening of the penalty without forgiveness of the crime.

These FALN criminals were not let off the hook. They were not convicted of any crimes that harmed another person (just conspiracy and sedition), but were given sentences ranging from 35 to 105 years. None of them had served less than 19 years at the time Clinton communted their sentences.

Dwelling in the past can only hurt us as a Nation. Bush flew the Bin-Laden family out of the Country right after 911 and these are families of the main terrorist who has caused us much harm.

This idea by Republicans on beating on the Clintons is really becoming very stale. Let's get on with governing the smart way. Always look forward and not backward.

Considering some of the pardons that our current President has granted, like "Scooter", I think we need more information on the pardon before making such a snap decision. Hindsight is 20/20, and second guessing without full access to the testamony is fruitless. Sound bites or brief excerpts from the testamony, as appear in this article, are insufficient information on which to make a judgement.

We, as a nation, have become so judgmental that even our news outlets, such as CNN in this case, have us making snap decisions based on incomplete information. Want to make a real comment? Listen to the entire testamony, or read the entire transcript of what was said, THEN comment. This is very polarizing, as it is.

Like yesterday's report on Geithner's hearing. If you read the complete story, you would know that his tax returns were prepared by his accountant, that when the IRS found that an incorrect amount was withheld and sent in for Social Security and Medicare, Geithner paid both the funds owed and interest, then voluntarily went back and double checked previous returns for the same error, which he found and rectified. All of this was reported to the Senate in early December when his appointment was announced. He took responsibility and rectified the problem. After 8 years of public officials never taking responsibility for anything, I'm ready for those who will admit a mistake, rectify it, and take responsibility for it. Personally, I think someone who has been burned by the convoluted, impossible tax forms and instructions is perfect for the position because he will probably do something about it!

Nobody knows who FALN is... Obama is an unstoppable force at this point, we're screwed.

If Jimmy Carter supported their release, what could be wrong? No wonder that fruitcake Carter was held in such contempt by the radical Iranians (not to mention most Americans) at the end of his term.

Don't worry about those terrorists Holder. They only tried to kill innocents people. They didn't actually succeed, so it's OK to let them off the hook. No problem Holder. Just keep telling yourself that.

No accountability, transparency; incidious choices that are slowly self -destructive of America.

Hey CNN, I'm thinking perhaps you might need to explain the difference between pardons and clemency to some of these whining people.

The man will clean up Washington!!! Confirm him!!! He's good and NOT like the Bush group!!

it's ok, they were only terorists.
he doesn't care.

Obama only picks perfect men and women, no questions asked?

Okay, I'll buy that. I think these pardons were acceptable.