Another Mentally ill Prisoner Dead on Bush's Watch

[SlavesandBulldozers]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/01/06/arkansas.executions/index.html

Bush has got a real hardon to watch the mentally ill squirm on the crucifix. Disgusting.

[Cannikin]

1. I dont understand my governor....

He will let murderers who 'finds God' our of prison, but he'll execute the mentally ill.

[RoeBear]

2. I assumed you meant Jeb Bush...

...but since this happened in Arkansas you must have meant George.
I'm not sure I understand your statement "Bush has got a real hardon to watch the mentally ill squirm on the crucifix" (it's not like any president has ever given a pardon to a death row inmate)but I will agree that it is disgusting.

Myself I'm not sure who I would put more blame on; the prosecutor for going for the death penalty or the defense for letting the box get loaded with pro-death penalty jurors.

[TexasMexican]

3. I support the execution of mentally ill murderers.

People say ignorance of the law is not an excuse for breaking it.

By that token being unable to understand laws or morals or anything like that should not get you more lenient treatment.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

4. ok

it's fine to argue that point, i can appreciate that. But to call yourself a Christian as you execute one person every two weeks as governor, even people who are mentally ill, who are juveniles, and who have iq's lower than 65 is ludicrous. To me, it seems like Shrub has an oscillating Jesus/Caesar complex. One minute he's pulling the nails from his palms, the next he's giving the thumbs down to the hatchetman. I know he said Jesus was his favorite political philosopher, whatever that's supposed to mean - but which Roman emperor do you think comes in a close second?

[alwynsw]

6. Sorry to burst your bubble

but the stay or pardon would be up to Gov. Huckabee. Granted, the President has the power to pardon anyone, but traditionally, nearly all presidents have deferred to the governors of the several states in matters such as these.

Federal executions? Then you'd have a valid poke at the chief theif.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

9. oh its okay

I guess I'm just holding up the standards of morality too high. Let me lower it a bit . . .ok. . . that'll do. Now I'm down to where you guys are, I'm cool with executing retards now. I'm also completely cool with the fact that aside from the governor, the President could intervene at any time - and im comfortable with the fact that he doesn't.

[alwynsw]

11. You're drawing an inaccurate conclusion

I have neither inferred nor implied that I agree with the execution of the mentally ill or mentally challenged for any reason. I am completely against executing anyone who is found incompetent by licensed professionals.

On the other hand, I do support the death penalty for those found competent or deemed so by said licensed professionals.

FYI: I was once a supervisor at an institution that has the death row for my state of residence. http://www.cor.state.ky.us/KSP.htm

[SlavesandBulldozers]

13. i guess the reason i drew that conclusion

was because Bush has the power to pardon, and didn't exercise it - so when you come in with "nobody ever does" it sounds like the attitude of those who were really for abolition of slavery, but had no desire to voice it.

[SmokingLoon]

26. I think the president can only pardon Federal offenses.

He has no power to pardon somebody convicted of a state offense.

[alwynsw]

28. Da Prez is da Big Cheese

He can pardon anyone for either state of Federal offenses. I even went and looked that up.

I have entirely too much time on my hands since I retired.

[alwynsw]

5. Sounds nearly identical to Bill Clinton and Rickey Ray Rector

except for the fact that Gov. Whatshisname isn't runnning for president and wanting to appear tough on crime.

Any that are interested can google Rickey Ray and get the story from multiple sources.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

7. hmmm

never quite heard fellow DU'ers employ the old "Clinton did it too". Interesting position for a DU'er, usually I'd reserve that position to the Freepers. I thought I'd have considerable more company that knows that George W. is in a class by himself when it comes to executions. I never in my wildest dreams imagined a DU'er would employ the "well look at what Clinton did". But touche, my friend.

[alwynsw]

8. It's not an attitude: just a fact.

unfortunate, but true.

Incidentally, there's a dupe on this in GD. You'll find that I'm not alone.

Progressive does not necessarily equal Clinton groupie.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

10. actually that's to misconstrue what I stated

so now all of the sudden you have me agreeing with Clinton's decision? You're the one who brought up Clinton. I was talking about George Bush and you brought up Clinton and now youre talking about Clinton groupies and explaining to me what progressives are.

[alwynsw]

12. Where did this come from?

I make an honest comparison concerning the execution of an incompetent inmate and I get slammed as a Clinton basher.

Please enlighten me by quoting any comment I have made that implies that I believe you agree or disagree with any decision made by Bill Clinton. Barring that, please show me any statement wherein I stated directly that you agree or disagree with any decision made by Bill Clinton.

I made no effort to explain progressives. I merely pointed out that all progressives are not necessarily fond of Bill Clinton.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

14. ok

what i want to talk about is now. not Bill Clinton. I'm trying to hold OUR CURRENT president to the standards he CLAIMS to have set for himself, that was the point of my post. I'm sorry it devolved into a discussion of standards Bill Clinton set 11 years ago or so.

Of course you know that not everything conveys itself well in this format. I understand we are having civil dialogue and though my writing appears enraged, nothing could be further from the truth. I sincerely do appreciate all the input.

I never accused you of Clinton bashing. I accused you of doing what Freepers commonly do with any hot topic - they say well "clinton did it too".

[alwynsw]

15. Now is fine with me.

I was attempting to show by example that "The more things change, the more they remain the same."

I think we can all agree that fresh blood is needed in most of our political offices.

BTW: I do agree that any sitting president sould act to safeguard those unable to help themselves, be it a death row stay of execution, pardon of one who has been wrongly convicted, or in the case of national persecution or mistreatment to "send in the troops" if necessary, be it at home or abroad.

[MrBenchley]

16. You might not think a DUer

--would quote Faux Noise, the Washington Times, or NewsMax with approval;
--would cheerlead for administration policies and the GOP platform;
--would scream in rage and and try to pretend freepers don't send hate mail.

But you reckoned without the RKBA crowd down here. Slurs on Democrats, especially liberal Democrats, are common from them.

[alwynsw]

17. I take offense at your post, sir.

Nowhere in this thread has RKBA been mentioned. The discussion has centered on the legal execution of the incompetent.

If you read my posts, you will find that my only purpose in bringing up Rector was to illustrate that political expediency has a home in both major parties. Even at the expense of the life of those deemed incompetent.

I'm sorry that proven facts seem to paint me as a less than ardent progressive in your eyes. Please post your opinions of my views on other topics to those forums that deal with those topics in which I post a comment.

[MrBenchley]

18. DO you?

"Columbia (266 posts) Sun Jan-04-04 07:49 PM
Original message
Why People Fear Guns by John Lott
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,107274,00.html"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=31532&mesg_id=31532

"slackmaster
47. Who is this "RKBA crowd" you keep referring to?
However I will concede that now that I've read it I don't see anything at all wrong with the GOP's platform."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=20403&mesg_id=20484&page=

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=118&topic_id=30092#30220


"If you read my posts, you will find that my only purpose in bringing up Rector was to illustrate that political expediency has a home in both major parties."
B-b-b-b-b-but Clinton.......

"I'm sorry that proven facts seem to paint me as a less than ardent progressive in your eyes. "
B-b-b-b-b-b-but Clinton.....

[alwynsw]

19. I do. And with good cause.

--would quote Faux Noise, the Washington Times, or NewsMax with approval;
--would cheerlead for administration policies and the GOP platform;
--would scream in rage and and try to pretend freepers don't send hate mail.

You imply that I have done these things in this thread or elsewhere. You cannot prove that I have because I have done none of them. Show me proof if you can. Is that why you are quoting other members of this board instead of me? Is that why you are linking to threads I have not posted on?

I state again. My purpose in referring to Rector was simple: political expediency has a home in both major parties. Even at the expense of the life of those deemed incompetent.

FYI: other readers. I am an advocate of RKBA. I support NCIS checks. I support barring firearm possession to convicted felons and those deemed mentally incompetent by legal authority. I support maximum sentencing for anyone using a firearm in the commission of a crime.

[MrBenchley]

20. B-b-b-b-b-but Clinton......

You don't object to your playmates doing those things...you just object when anyone points out that they do them routinely....

Ho-kay.

[alwynsw]

21. How dare you imply that I support the Thief in Chief

That is not only baseless, but vile as well.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MrBenchley]

25. Yeah? Where was that?

Speaking of baseless allegations.

[alwynsw]

27. Try your posts 16 and 20 for starters.

(I'll play along.)

[MrBenchley]

29. Not even close to true

B-b-b-but Clinton!

[Moderator]

23. Discuss the facts, not the posters, please

and this thread will remain open.

Thank you, we know return you to your regularly scheduled flame-fest.

[slackmaster]

24. This is one of several reasons I oppose the DP

Although I agree that death may seem like a morally justifiable punishment for some individuals, humans are by nature not competent to make that decision.

This isn't a religious thing for me, just a recognition of our inability to judge absolute truth.