Associated Press reports that Cody McGannon was just another 1O-year -old grounded for telling a lie. 

The crime: Telling his mom and stepfather he hadn't opened his bedroom window when he had. Mrs. Jones, Cody's mother, said it was just a matter of principle. The punishment: No privileges for one week. (No TV, no bike riding, no visiting with friends and no guests.)

"No way. Unreasonable," said Cody, who lives in Kansas City with his parents and three additional children.

If he didn't like it, maybe he should take it up with the governor, Cody's stepfather, Alex Jones, told him.

Fine with me, Cody said.

After serving four days of his punishment, Cody wrote a two paragraph, handwritten letter, explaining what happened. He wanted a pardon so he could play football with his friends.

"I hope you will grant me amnesty on Saturday . . Love, Cody"

Cody told his mom he was in a hurry to get pardoned. Mrs. Jones took the letter to work and faxed it with a cover sheet saying she was impressed with Cody's commitment and sincerity.

"I told Cody that if the Governor gives him a pardon then he was off the hook! But I never expected to get a response back." 

Governor Mel Carnahan, was in his office that day. After due consideration came the response. In fact, it came later that same day: Pardon Granted.

"I hope the authorities (your parents) are not too upset with me, and they decide to accept my act of clemency in the same spirit of good will in which it was given," the governor wrote.

"Since then, the calls have been pouring in," said Mrs. Jones. "Donahue wants to fly Cody and l out to New York City. The Jay Leno's Office called last night. Yesterday Cody was in the Washington Post."

"He's very excited about all of it," she said. "It has been a tremendous boost to his self-esteem."

The family has not decided which if any of the offers to accept.

Who says the wheels of government turn slowly?