Gov. Rick Scott makes it tougher for felons to ask for their rights back

[Hugabear]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-felons-rights-repeal-20110309,0,2796318.story

<snip>
Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet on Wednesday imposed a minimum five-year waiting period for felons to apply to have their rights restored, setting up a tougher standard than the state has used for years.

Florida now joins Kentucky and Virginia as the only states that require felons who have completed the terms of their sentences to apply to have their rights restored. Critics say the new process is a return to post-Civil War Jim Crow laws crafted to prevent blacks from voting.

"The Board today didn't just go back to before the Gov. Crist reforms; they went way, way past that — placing brand new, long-term restrictions on getting basic rights restored," said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida. "The new administration that runs Tallahassee today demonstrated their hostility to the fundamental right of any democracy, the right to vote."

Scott and the Cabinet, acting as the board of executive clemency, approved the new rules unanimously after hearing 30 minutes of public comments limited to two minutes per speaker. The rules were not available for review until minutes before the board's meeting began late Wednesday morning.
<snip>


This, coming from the most corrupt crook to ever occupy the governor's mansion. Absolutely fucking disgusting.

[steve2470]

1. This is pure politics, at its worst.

The Republicans know that the majority of former inmates desiring restoration of civil rights will register and vote Democratic.

[nemo137]

2. The legal disenfranchisement of ex-felons is a blight on our country.

It is, like the article says, an attempt to restore the black codes from the Nadir, and combined with the failed war on drugs has kneecapped black Americans.

[bluestateguy]

3. If they had their druthers only white people and elderly Cubans would be allowed to vote

They just won't come out and say it.

[dizbukhapeter]

4. Restore their 2nd amendment rights as well

They served their time, let them have their rights back.

[ej510]

5. This is the strengthening of the plan to penalise black people.

[CAG]

6. Interesting that this person who defrauded millions in his healthcare

scheme would be hard on felons. Do I detect some self-loathing going on?