President Bush’s recent round of 14 presidential pardons brings his total up to 157. ‚ 

The outgoing president still has almost two more months in office, but barring anything unforeseen, it is likely that Bush will end ‚ up as one of the‚ stingiest presidents in recent history‚ when it comes to giving out pardons.‚ 

His predecessor, Bill Clinton, gave out 140 pardons in his last day of office alone, and more than‚ 400 in total. ‚ This pales in comparison to Franklin D. ‚ Roosevelt, who gave out‚ 3,687 pardons, the most ever for a U.S. President.‚ 

Ronald Reagan gave out more than 800 pardons during his two terms. ‚  Jimmy Carter issued 233 during his lone term. Gerald Ford issued 409 pardons, while the man who he replaced, Richard Nixon averaged 463 during each of his terms. Nixon, of course, also‚ received‚ one of ‚ Ford’s 409 pardons.‚ 

Interestingly, the only ‚ recent president to be tighter with this presidential mercy was Bush’s father, who gave out only 77 pardons during his four years in office.‚ 

This seems to be‚ consistent‚ with Bush’s tenure as‚ Governor‚ of Texas, where he gave out only 14 pardons, the lowest such figure for a Texas‚ governor‚ since the 1940s.‚ 

(Note: I say recent history because George Washington only gave out 16 pardons, and‚ William Henry Harrison and James Garfield, did not use pardons at all.)

So if one views pardons as a bad thing — a needless and irreversible power — Bush could be commended for showing restraint. If one views them as noble and‚ merciful‚ action, ‚ Bush could be‚ criticized‚ as heartless.‚ 

I imagine a case-by-case look would reveal that for most presidents some pardons seem more justified than others. Giving a second chance to a non-violent drug addict who sits in jail while his or her children grow up without a parent is one thing; giving Scooter Libby or President Nixon a pass for crimes done while serving the public is another.

(For a full list of the recent pardons, see‚ Sachin Seth)

In a fitting end to what some call the worst presidency ever, George W. Bush has granted 14 pardons and two commutations to American felons.

Among the pardoned individuals, Leslie Owen Collier of Charleston, Mo. was pardoned for a crime he committed over a decade ago; using a registered pesticide in an unauthorized way.

Collier pleaded guilty to using poisoned bait to kill animals on his farm.‚  The victims included a raccoon, a red-tailed hawk, a great horned owl and three bald eagles.‚  Collier also violated the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which protects the safety of both kinds of eagles.

Another notable pardon, John Edward Forte, co-writer and producer of part of “The Score” the Grammy-winning album recorded by 90′s rap group Fugees.‚  He was charged earlier this decade for aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute nearly 31 pounds of cocaine, according to the Department of Justice, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.‚  He will be released in late December, but will remain under supervised release for five years.‚  Apparently Bush is a Fugees fan.

Another big pardon was that of Daniel Figh Pue III of Conroe, Texas, who was convicted of illegally treating, storing and disposing hazardous waste without a permit.‚  The waste, pentachlorphenol (PCP) and creosote sludge, was transported by Pue.‚  He says he was unfairly charged since he was transporting the materials as an employee, not on his own accord.

The last big pardon was that of Orion Lynn Vick of White Hall, Ark. who was convicted of aiding and abetting the theft of government property.‚  Vick declined requests by several media outlets to discuss the details behind the crime.‚  He has been requesting a pardon for more than five years.

As reported by the DOJ, other pardoned felons include:

Milton Kirk Cordes of Rapid City, S.D. was convicted in the 90′s of conspiring to violate the Lacey act, which violates the tranportation of illegally captured wildlife across state borders.

Richard Micheal Culpepper of Mahomet, Ill. was convicted of making “false statements to the United States.”

Brenda Jean Dolenz-Helmer of Forth Worth, Texas, was convicted for helping her father commit a workers’ compensation fraud that swindled insuance carriers for nearly $3 million.

Andrew Foster Harley of Falls Church, Va. was convicted of the “wrongful use and distribution of marijuana and cocaine.”

Obie Gene Helton of Rossville, Ga. was convicted of acquiring food stamps illegally.

Cary C. Hice Sr. of Travelers Resr, S.C. was convicted of “income tax evasion.”

Geneva Yvonne Hogg of Chamblee, Ga. was convicted of “bank embezzlement.”

William Hoyle McCright Jr. of Midland, Texas, was convicted of making “false entries, books, reports or statements of bank.”

Paul Julian McCurdy of Sulphur, Okla. was convicted of the “misapplication of bank funds by a bank officer.”

Robert Earl Mohon Jr. of Grant Ala. convicted of conspiring to distribute marijuana.

Ronald Alan Mohrhoff of Los Angeles, was convicted of the “unlawful use of a telephone in furtherance of a narcotics felony.”

James Russell Harris of Detroit, Mich. had his sentence commuted.‚  He was convicted of conspiring to “aid and abet the distribution of cocaine.”

Bush, in his eight year presidency, has granted 157 pardons.