I wrote here recently in favor of a commutation for Clarence Aaron, sentenced to three life terms without possibility of parole for federal drug felonies. I was a late voice in that campaign, with many from the left, right, center, and libertarian supporting the cause.
That campaign has now succeeded. No one was more vigorous in her support for a commutation than my wife, San Francisco Chronicle columnist Debra J. Saunders, who wrote urging this course over many years. Debra just reported on her Token Conservative blog that President Obama has issued the commutation, freeing Aaron next year under five years supervision. Good for the president!
It will now be up to Aaron to prove that all the people who supported his plea for mercy were justified in their championing of his cause.