This was a big deal not because they shot at someone they thought was armed, who was a drug-smuggling criminal– but because they didn’t report that they shot.

That’s a pretty good indication that THEY thought they’d done something wrong, and is a crime in itself.
(The “civil rights” of illegals is kinda like accusing al Qaeda of violating the Geneva convention, though.)

“This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man’s laws, not God’s! And if you cut them down, and you’re just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake!”

I’ll bet Bush only commuted their sentences to prevent Obama from doing so.

On the bright side for Ramos and Compean, they can probably make a good bit of money from book deals and speaking engagements. At least that should largely compensate them for their troubles.