Vile Kyl: Just get them to the (electric) chair on time...

[blondeatlast]

This is no exaggeration or joke, either--the bastard is serious.

The "Streamlined Procedures" Act

(snip)

Habeas corpus is the age-old legal process by which federal courts review the legality of detentions. In the modern era, it has been the pivotal vehicle through which those on death row or serving long sentences in prison can challenge their state-court convictions. Congress in 1996 rolled back habeas review considerably; federal courts have similarly shown greater deference -- often too much deference -- to flawed state proceedings. But the so-called Streamlined Procedures Act of 2005 takes the evisceration of habeas review, particularly in capital cases, to a whole new level. It should not become law.

For a great many capital cases, the bill would eliminate federal review entirely. Federal courts would be unable to review almost all capital convictions from states certified by the Justice Department as providing competent counsel to convicts to challenge their convictions under state procedures. Although the bill, versions of which differ slightly between the chambers, provides a purported exception for cases in which new evidence completely undermines a conviction, this is drawn so narrowly that it is likely to be useless -- even in identifying cases of actual innocence.

(more)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/09/AR2005070900951.html?referrer=emailarticle

Further discussion here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1919426

[enid602]

1. musical

Sounds like a Broadway musical. "I'm getting buried in the morn-ing. . . just get me to the chair on time!"

[NoodleBoy]

2. link broken

Hopefully we can use this to get alot of people who don't like what Congress is doing to the courts to get out in 06 and oust Kyl.

[blondeatlast]

3. Thanks, see my workaround below. nt

[blondeatlast]

4. The link above to WaPo is broken. for some reason, the link

in the original GDP thread works, though.

[NoodleBoy]

5. that link isn't complete

[blondeatlast]

6. Yikes--I'll try yet again. Thanks for the updates! nt

[blondeatlast]

7. Once again for the WaPo; it works from "Preview" anyway.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/09/AR2005070900951.html?referrer=emailarticle

Good luck; apparently you need it to find this!