Another Squishy Liberal Post

Not really. I am  a liberal, hell, a socialist, more or less, but on no point do I consider myself squishy, or soft.

Today, this statement is being issued in context of the death penalty. In my brain, I'm against it. No squishy reasons, people do evil things for laughs, or for no particular reason at all - not every criminal is a victim of his/her circumstance. And in my heart, quite a mercurial organ, I can see something and scream for vengeance. My concerns are that we be DAMN sure of guilt before executing someone, and that we apply strict, fair standards.

Neither of my concerns are addressed in modern jurisprudence.

North Carolina

The N.C. Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would end the Racial Justice Act and restart executions in North Carolina. The bill passed 33-14, with the vote along party lines...
The Racial Justice Act allows death-row inmates and defendants facing the death penalty to use statewide statistics to show that racial bias played a significant role in their case. If successful, a judge would commute an in-mate’s death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the only remedy under the law.
Prosecutors around the state and Republican legislators strongly opposed the law. Last year, state legislators scaled back the Racial Justice Act to prohibit the use of statewide statistics. Then-Gov. Bev Perdue vetoed the legislation, but the General Assembly overrode her veto. (Emphasis by paleo - Republicans and those dratted facts...)

Deep in the Heart of Stupid

Texas' active use of the death penalty has led death penalty opponents to claim that Texas has executed persons who were, in fact, innocent. 

Cameron Todd Willingham 

One notable case involves Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed by lethal injection on February 17, 2004 for murdering his three daughters in 1991 by arson, but where a 2009 article in The New Yorker, and subsequent findings, have cast doubt on the evidence used in his conviction.
In 2009, a report conducted by Dr. Craig Beyler, hired by the Texas Forensic Science Commission to review the case, found that "a finding of arson could not be sustained". Beyler said that key testimony from a fire marshal at Willingham's trial was "hardly consistent with a scientific mind-set and is more characteristic of mystics or psychics”.[46]
Governor Rick Perry expressed skepticism of Beyler's findings. He stated that court records showed evidence of Willingham’s guilt in charges that he intentionally killed his daughters in the fire. Perry is quoted in the report as stating of Willingham, "I’m familiar with the latter-day supposed experts on the arson side of it," and Perry said that court records provide "clear and compelling, overwhelming evidence that he was in fact the murderer of his children."[47] The Corsicana Fire Department also released a 19-page rebuttal of Beyler's report, stating that the report overlooked several key points that would show Willingham to be guilty.[48]
On July 23, 2010, the Texas Forensic Science Commission released a report saying that the conviction was based on "flawed science" and that there is no indication that the arson authorities were negligent or committed willful misconduct. Willingham remains the only person in the United States executed since 1976 for murder by arson. [49]

The Willingham case belongs to both fmr. Pres. George W. Bush and Governor Rick Perry. For Pres. Footie-Pajamas McDryDrunk, it is merely another mark in a book that will have him marching triumphally to hell before being invited by Satan personally, e-Vite maybe?, to share a skinny-dip in a burning sulfurous lake. Governor Good-Hair? Possessor of a somewhat colorfully named ranch? Beelzebubba? Hell as well, but not quite as revered as teh Shrub.

Honestly, though, if we could successfully address my concerns re: the death penalty - note: humans? - I could accept the death penalty and actually see it expanded. The carpenters required to build gallows on Wall Street alone could significantly affect the nation's unemployment rate. Not to mention a couple advisors will be needed in the Obama administration to replace Jamie Dimon and Timothy Geithner. Head of Murder Incorporated Wayne Lilpeepeeierre. Locally, Ponzi master Tom Petters and Name-It-And-Claim-It, Babble-Yer-Way-To-Enlightenment preacher Mac Hammond.

And then there is this.

Ohio man who sexually assaulted baby seeks mercy

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Condemned killer Steven Smith's argument for mercy isn't an easy one. Smith acknowledges he intended to sexually assault his girlfriend's 6-month-old daughter but says he never intended to kill the baby.

Shorter: Because he only meant to rape the baby, not kill it, he should not be executed because Ohio law requires premeditated murder for a capital murder conviction. And, although IANAL, a clever enough lawyer could make the argument, ignoring the fact that raping a 6 month old baby is going to kill the child. This is actually somewhat of a tough thing for me.

'Tough thing', paleo? 

Yes, trying to maintain internal consistency, given my views on the death penalty, that as it exists I think it is deeply flawed. But -

- if there is ever a case where it is called for, even with my views and striving to be consistent and logical, this fucker needs to die. Now. His human card needs to be cut in half, along with his neck. He genuinely needs to be ended horribly. Screw consistency, I want bloody vengeance. Pedophilia, rape, hurting of anyone/thing weaker than you?

Let there be fire.