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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans in Congress have launched a new effort to speed up executions in the United States by limiting the ability of those sentenced to death to appeal to federal courts.
The "Streamlined Procedures Act of 2005," introduced into the House of Representatives by California Rep. Dan Lungren and in the Senate by Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, would limit the ability of defendants facing the death sentence to have their cases reviewed by federal courts in what are known as habeas corpus appeals.
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A study headed by Columbia University statistician and political scientist Andrew Gelman of all 5,826 death sentences imposed in the United States between 1973 and 1995 found that 68 per cent were reversed on appeal.
Federal courts examining habeas corpus appeals overturned 40 percent of the cases that had previously been upheld by state appeals courts -- a fact the authors called worrisome.
shuamort said:
So, I guess he's ok with getting executed without appeal?Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Sacramento, said he opposed the legislation even though it could help members of his own family, including an older brother with Parkinson's.
"The worst mistakes we've ever made in the history of this nation have been when we have defined a part of the human family as less than fully human, and done things to them that we would not allow done to ourselves," Lungren said.
Datamonkee said:I'm for either speeding up the process for NEWLY convicted inmates, or abolishing the death penalty all together. My reasons are purely fiscal. To execute a present day death row inmate costs our government millions of dollars, where a 85 cent bullet would do. From all the appeals they receive to the inane petitions to stay execution from "fans" of murderers, it just builds and builds to where it has become a million dollars industry to protect the convicted. Where our money should be spent EDUCATING these people, we are struggling to keep them alive when they have removed viable members of society. Clean out death row, then use the money saved to build working schools, that educate and protect future generations.
That is basicallly what he said. Honestly, my parents are both in the law and I have heard of about 5 different cases just at the dinner table where the decision was reversed or they were let go because of prosecutorial misconduct, dna, new facts, etc. It is a long process, but a very fair and complete one (with the exception of two states) which results in fewer errors. But I ask again, why not lock them up in prison, which costs less. The person who was for speeding it up for fiscal reasons, would you support life in prison because it costs less?Pacridge said:Welcome to Debate Politics.
You seriously think the anti-death penalty people are "fans of murders?"
vandree said:Why do they want to speed it up? Why risking executing someone who is innocent for example. Just wondering what the reasoning behind it is
Pacridge said:Welcome to Debate Politics.
You seriously think the anti-death penalty people are "fans of murders?"
Try fans of justice.Stinger said:There most certainly are fans of them.
shuamort said:
Stinger said:There most certainly are fans of them.
That is if you are on death row. I go to prisons to get deposistions. They are not fun, they are not nice, and the people are mean as hell. You speak of justice, when vengeance is not justice. Justice is fairness, justice is humanity, justice is compassion. You may not feel the same way and only use the system to hurt, I use it to strengthen.Datamonkee said:I actually didn't mean it exactly in that fashion. There are several people that idolize the mass murderers and try to finance/petition for a stay of execution or a re-trial.
But a lot of those that oppose the death penalty do not have any regard for the justice for the family of the victim. Why should the person that killed a loved one be allowed to live a full life when that loved one's was cut so terribly short? Don't tell me about the rigors of prison life. How cut off the prisoner is. They get well cooked meals, comfortable cells, cable TV, and free education. I have to struggle to get meals on the table, still sleep in a day bed, and haven't had cable in years. It is almost worth committing crime to get away from the struggles of a law-abiding life.
ShamMol said:That is if you are on death row. I go to prisons to get deposistions. They are not fun, they are not nice, and the people are mean as hell. You speak of justice, when vengeance is not justice. Justice is fairness, justice is humanity, justice is compassion. You may not feel the same way and only use the system to hurt, I use it to strengthen.
But a lot of those that oppose the death penalty do not have any regard for the justice for the family of the victim.
Republicans want to speed up death penalty
I would like nothing better than to see you die, Mr. McKinney. However, this is the time to begin the healing process. To show mercy to someone who refused to show any mercy. To use this as the first step in my own closure about losing Matt.
cnredd said:nice cheap shot...I guess when Clinton let Bin Laden slide your post would've said "Democratic President endorses terrorism"...both idiotic and extreme.
The problem with Mr. Shepard's violin-inducing speech is that the trial was not MR.SHEPARD v. defendants....Its THE PEOPLE v. defendants...
In the eyes of the law, Mr. Shepard did not lose his son named Matt...SOCIETY has lost Mr.Shepard's son named Matt.
What if someone killed a relative of mine, and I say "Free him and give him $50 for a lap dance down at the local topless joint". I'm pretty sure I'd get laughed out of town...although the ACLU would applaud me...
1. Clinton did not let “Bin Laden slide”. I know you right wingers like to blame everything on him, but just the same, his Administration heralded in the greatest period of peace and prosperity in our nations history. I know that’s off topic, but figured it needed to be addressed.
:joke:The Joke it was referenced:
BCCT(Blue Collor Comedy Tour)
Ron White - "......while other states are abolishing the death penalty, my state is putting in an express lane!"
The Joke it was referenced:
BCCT(Blue Collor Comedy Tour)
Ron White - "......while other states are abolishing the death penalty, my state is putting in an express lane!"
Datamonkee said:Well, actually, justice has NOTHING to do with humanity or compassion. Justice is blind. Justice is fair. Justice is balanced. Check out dictionary.com's definition of justice, and find the humanity or compassion there. Where is it humane, or compassionate to let a murderer live while his victim, and their family members and friends must live the rest of their lives without the love and humanity of the victim? Please show me where that is fair, humane, and compassionate. Do we say, "Hey there, who cares that your brother was murdered, get over it, forgive the B*st*rd that killed him, have compassion for him. Just be thankful it wasn't you that got murdered instead."
I hate to break this to you, but love does not conquer all. Those that kill only understand violence in return. You can not reason with them. They are beyond that. You can not hope to duplicate the high that a person who kills receives by simple reason and "compassion".
Take all the depositions you wish. Placate all the prisoners that have killed and now are treated SO unfairly by the system. The families of the victims should not want justice, they should just get over it. Forget the sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers that have their lives cut short so that you can continue to feel self important and humane. Of course prison is not a walk in the park. It is supposed to be a punishment. But when law abiding citizens look at the prison system, they see a useless, money-sucking waste of "justice". There is no reform in prison. If there was, then the majority of prisons would not be filled with repeat offenders. I work with ex-convicts and those on probation, and do you know that not a single one of them feel remorse about what they did, only the unfairness of getting sent to prison for "no reason". One had someone die in his apartment from bad drugs. It wasn't his fault. He didn't force that person to take the drugs, he only sold them. Now he can't vote. Poor poor him. He's lucky that it wasn't a relative of mine. I've seen the prison system at it's finest, I could eliminate him, and get off with a slap on the wrist.
ShamMol said:A death can't be reversed, so obviously the sentence-whether it be changed to life or lifted altogether.
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