Death penalty debate lifeless in Sacramento (lawmakers left cold by Williams protesters)

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | Sunday, December 18, 2005 | Mark Martin

[Former Military Chick]

Sacramento -- Amid the uproar over last week's execution of Stanley Tookie Williams, state lawmakers for the most part were notably silent.

California politicians largely avoided the death penalty debate as advocates and opponents argued in newspapers and on television over whether the Crips co-founder and eventual anti-gang crusader deserved to live or die, and whether capital punishment was justice or barbarism.

A petition asking Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to spare Williams by granting him clemency was circulated among legislative Democrats, but only nine -- out of 73 in the Assembly and Senate -- signed it.

As five Democrats prepare to make a push to postpone executions, and as California's legal system prepares for what could be the busiest year in decades for the death chamber, there are few signs in the Capitol that support for capital punishment is wavering.

"The death penalty is alive and well in California,'' said Ray McNally, a political consultant who works with crime victims' groups and the state's prison guards union.

Early next month, lawmakers will begin to consider legislation calling for a death penalty moratorium in California. The bill, AB1121, suggests suspending executions while a state Senate-appointed commission studies inequities in the criminal justice system.

Despite being characterized as a "modest time-out'' by one of the bill's authors, Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, D-Mountain View, supporters predict a difficult fight to push the measure through the Legislature.

"It will not be easy,'' admitted Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, an advocate for the moratorium.

The legislative hearing will come as California prepares to execute another convicted murderer -- this time a 75-year-old legally blind inmate who uses a wheelchair. Clarence Ray Allen, convicted of ordering the murders of three people in Fresno from his prison cell, is scheduled to die Jan. 17.

[Former Military Chick]

*but only nine Democrats -- out of 73 in the Assembly and Senate -- signed petition

*the idea of weakening death penalty laws has not been popular in the Assembly

*executions in California expected to quicken as long-term Death Row inmates run out of appeals

*barring any major outcry of support, it seemed unlikely that many politicians would take a stand against the death penalty

[ncountylee]

The Tookie Express, gurney to hell, gains momentum.

[Former Military Chick]

PING

[verity]

[F16Fighter]

California politicians largely avoided the death penalty debate as advocates and opponents argued in newspapers and on television over whether the Crips co-founder and eventual anti-gang crusader deserved to live or die, and whether capital punishment was justice or barbarism.

If they can't figure this one out, then why not just let France annex them (if Mexico doesn't do it first.)

[infidel29]

...whether the Crips co-founder and eventual anti-gang crusader deserved to live or die, and whether capital punishment was justice or barbarism.

2 things here:

1) It has never been proven adequately to me that "Tookie" ever became an anti-gang crusader.

2) Capital punishment is not barbariam, murder is barbarism. Capital punishment is the swift (haha...) and divine spear of society's righteous indignation.

The arguments against the death penalty are taking the blame away from the criminals and placing it on the State.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Mexico has too big a jump.

[goldstategop]

Those nine Democrats are all from the Bay Area -where opposition to the death penalty is virtual religion. The rest come from parts of the state where voters the death penalty as a matter of course. 70% of California voters favor the death penalty and that's a figure that hasn't changed appreciably in decades even as the state turns a deeper shade of Blue.

(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.")

[doug from upland]

YOU MIGHT ENJOY THIS

[mtbopfuyn]

Other than a small handful of Californians, the vast majority of the rest of the country would have been happy if he hadn't wasted space during the past couple decades.

[ncountylee]

The framed presentation will be inscribed as you wish. Perhaps you would like to give it as a special gift to Barbara Becnel, Mike Farrell, Snoop Dogg, or Jesse Jackson.

ROFLMAO

[TheDon]

Only if the rest of the US will take refugees.

[IronJack]

I hope the Tookie Transfer sparks a new round of executions. Space on Death Row is becoming scarce, and there are always new candidates waiting their turn.

[sully777]

"Tookie was tagged. That's the way of his world." --unnamed gang banger

[willyboyishere]

But, DFU, no photo of the item!!!
Seriously, though, it never occurred to me
that Ebay, of which I am an active buyer (mostly)
could be used as an adjunct to Free Republic.
Or a forum to make political statements. Excellent!

[doug from upland]

I sold a photo of Arianna Huffington in a Chevy Suburban in front of the Sierra Club Summit where she was guest speaker. Michelle Malkin wrote about the photo, and Arianna was mocked without mercy all over the blogosphere. A few days ago, I sold a framed limerick, JOURNEY ON THE GURNEY, and the song, TOOKIE GOT RUN OVER BY A GURNEY. To have some additional fun, go ask a question on the listing.

[doug from upland]

Perhaps a Cindy Sheehan song next?

[sgtbono2002]

*****The bill, AB1121, suggests suspending executions while a state Senate-appointed commission studies inequities in the criminal justice system*******

I believe this happened once before and everyone who was on death row during the suspension got commuted sentences because it was decided the suspension nullified the death penalty.

[willyboyishere]

"perhaps a Cindy Sheehan song next?"
--Cindy's "popularity" may have already
peaked and put it past "songworthiness"/
Remember, it took a execution to finally go
ahead and be done on schedule to make even
Tookie Williams songworthy, and he never really
had any "popularity" except among the bitter-end
anti Death Penalty crowd. Hell, I don't think even
a window was broken in his honor, let alone the
riots the Left was fondly hoping for.
History marches on in Iraq, and every day
gives the naysayers less to chew up and spit out.
When the election results come in, they will have
even less than that. They will soon be left holding
the bag and the bag will be empty.

[mvpel]

Given the faith that the left places in government, in light of their willingness to trust it with oversight of the entire nation's healthcare system, you'd think that they'd trust the government with the power of life or death over convicted criminals.