The Republican National Convention has been a cavalcade of beautifully told stories. The story of Jon Ponder, a former bank robber, who found religion and redemption was one of the stories told on Day Two. It had a story book ending with President Donald Trump granting Ponder a full pardon, flanked by his wife and the FBI agent who arrested him.

Jon Ponder was a convicted bank robber on the road to nowhere. His first arrest was at the age of sixteen and his last was at 37. We all have done what Mr. Ponder did; make a bargain with God. “God, if you will just get me out of this, I will never… insert current dilemma here.” God called Ponder’s bluff. Instead of getting the full sentence he deserved, the judge gave him a light sentence. After prison, Jon did what most of us don’t do with God bargains, he fulfilled his promise. From Fox News:

As a prior inmate himself, Ponder started the Hope for Prisoners program after worrying from a prison cell how he was going to restart his life after what would become his final stint in prison.

Hope for Prisoners is an 18-month program that was started in 2009, and involves job training, mentorship and counseling. The initiative has reportedly supported over 3,100 men and women re-entering society post-prison.

Trump and Ponder met and in 2018 when the president honored Ponder and the FBI Special Agent Richard Beasley, who arrested the then 38-year old in 2004, at a White House Rose Garden ceremony.

President Donald Trump then, not only attended a Hope for Prisoners graduation. He shook the hand of every graduate.

Tonight, at the end of the story Jon Ponder told, Donald Trump granted him a full pardon. Grab a tissue because you will need it:

A full pardon means that Jon Ponder can vote again and hold office, if he so chooses.

There is always a nattering nabob of negativism out there, peace be upon the lateWilliam Safire. New York Times writer Kenneth P. Vogel wins the Safire Nattering Nabob of Negativism Award for Day Two of the RNC with this tweet:

JON PONDER's story is inspirational.

But should he be endorsing a candidate for president while being identified as the founder & CEO of Hope for Prisoners, which — as a 501(c)(3) non-partisan non-profit group — is barred from participating in partisan politics? pic.twitter.com/HwFK1z8KlG

— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) August 26, 2020

Kenneth, dude, don’t harsh my mellow. Jon Ponder, a man, was endorsing President Donald J. Trump for re-election. His orgaization, Hope for Prisoners, was not endorsing Trump. Why don’t you go pick on some Democrat 501-(C)(3) organization.

Congratulations to Jon Ponder and family. Jon Ponder will go on to aid his fellow man. Kenneth P. Vogel will continue to natter.

Featured Image: Creative Commons.org/cropped/Public Domain Mark 1.0