Bravo Governor Richardson! For repealing the death penalty in New Mexico

[WI_DEM]

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has had his share of setbacks recently. He ran for president and never came close. Then he was considered for a spot in the Obama administration but was forced to withdraw. Those detours sent him home to New Mexico to resume his governorship, and for that we are grateful. Richardson's inability to move up meant that on Wednesday, he was in his office and in position to perform the most important act of his political life: He signed a bill abolishing the death penalty in New Mexico.

As long-standing opponents of capital punishment, we welcome any move to roll it back, whether judicially or legislatively. We have cheered as state and federal courts properly have raised objections on various grounds -- from the cruelty of certain forms of execution to the disparities in the penalty's application to the occasional case of an innocent person on death row. But New Mexico’s abolition is particularly satisfying for several reasons. It is the work of a legislature and a governor, and thus immune to the protests of those who complain about judicial activism. And it takes place in a state outside the liberal centers, and thus is a reminder of the widening revulsion at the punishment. It is hardly surprising that New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts refuse to engage in state murder; it is more notable to find opposition in Alaska, West Virginia and, now, New Mexico. Increasingly, the death penalty is becoming a regional phenomenon, with executions largely confined to Texas and the Deep South.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-death20-2009mar20,0,4520934.story

[EmilyAnne]

1. So proud of him! This is a great move from a man with a heart. I am going to call to thank him,

just to be another tally mark on the list of his supporters.

[Jack_DeLeon]

2. I disagree but then again I'm from Texas so I might be biased...

I see no utility in keeping people around who so heinously deprive others of their rights.

If I lost someone it would be around revenge, but as I'm not in that situation its about fairness. How is it fair that these people continue to live, breathe and think, while their victims cease to exist.

I can maybe understand how a truly religious person might be against the death penalty, they thinking that only God has the right to take a life.

[muffin1]

3. Sometimes, innocent people

are put to death. Therefore, I am against the death penalty 100% - yes, even if a family member is killed. One innocent person being put to death is too many, imho.

[Jack_DeLeon]

4. True, however there are cases where there is no doubt who the killer is...

I'd support raising bar in terms of evidence needed for someone to be given the death penalty.

No more death penalty for a person convicted of murder based solely on one persons testimony.

IMO the death penalty needs to be reformed, not abolished.

[TheCoxwain]

7. I am against the death penalty ..because it is a lesser punishment than letting the asshole live

You are letting the guy go ... pump a few chemicals .. and he goes off to blissful sleep forever .... How is that a punishment?


A punishment is being locked in a cold dark cell with no contact with other humans.

[BuyingThyme]

5. Well hot damn! That is good news. Thank you Governor Richardson!

:woohoo:
:applause:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. I'll second that bravo. K&R