Posted on 11/27/2005 5:22:21 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
It is fashionable among death-penalty opponents to claim that life in prison without the possibility of parole amounts to worse punishment than the death penalty.
For example, Bill Kurtis, host of A&E's "Investigative Reports" who has written a book advocating abolition of the death penalty, asserts that:
"Life without parole is bad. Worse than [executing] somebody."
If death-penalty opponents truly believe this, then why would the supporters of Tookie Williams be so avidly advocating the commutation of his death sentence to life without parole? It's hard to believe they wish to inflict harsher punishment on Williams.
Isn't this proof that, despite their protestations, opponents of the death penalty recognize that it remains the supreme sanction?
1. How can this guy ask for clemency while still processing his innocence? If he has indeed turned his life around, the first step would be admitting what he did.
2. Death row inmates in California, where it talks what, 20-30 years, if ever, to get executed, have far better conditions and privileges than lifers who are in the general prison population.
3. Instead of wasting years, and millions of taxpayers' $$$$ on these endless appeals, I would rather support life without parole, and give the $$ to the victims' families.
4. Anyone remember Karla Fay Tucker?
Great idea. better yet, to defray costs We should sell t.v. rights and start "penal colony survivor: Alaska"
Just kidding about the tv thing, but what would be wrong with a penal colony, one that is self sustaining (you know, like most prisons used to be)
CC
Good point.
As to the cost and time involved in implementing the death penalty, wouldn't another solution be to streamline the process?
In fact, though, I'm not a huge death penalty fan. But I certainly believe our society has a right to impose it if that's what the people, via their elected representatives, want.
But if the elected reps circumvent the will of the people, then the argument will of course be made in other states that the death penalty is being applied capriciously...IOW, all things being equal..the same crime that gets you killed in Texas does not get you executed in Cal..
Bingo. First the death penalty is "too cruel." Then life in prison is "too cruel," etc. The left's dream is to destabilize society by having violent criminals be given a few months of "counselling" and then let loose on society.
Also he can continue to rape weaker inmates and assault
more guards...
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Well put!
not to mention his security level will be reduced
that guy committed suicide and got his due.
that would be a good one, give the money that automatic appeals for a death penalty generate for lawyers to the victims families and put the felon in general population for the rest of is life.
Reading a couple of books, going to a couple of lectures, maybe taking a tour of a prison or two, going to the right cocktail parties.
Because then they can lobby for Tookie and other criminals to be released when they're old and sick -- there's a thread on this today, about how it's "uncompassionate" to keep prisoners in jail for life, and costs too much money.
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