Maryland and the Death Penalty NYT Editorial

[elleng]

Maryland’s governor, Martin O’Malley, chose Jan. 15, the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., to announce his determination to repeal the state’s law allowing capital punishment. “Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence,” he said, quoting Dr. King.

The death penalty does not deter murders, the governor said, since states with the penalty have had higher murder rates than states without it. And prosecuting a capital case in Maryland costs three times as much as pursuing a homicide conviction that carries a sentence of life without parole. In short, the penalty has been a huge waste of taxpayer money on a policy that manifestly does not work. Significantly, he said, the state has gathered sobering proof that its use of the death penalty has been so unfair — so arbitrary and capricious — as to be unjust and immoral. . .

As Governor O’Malley said: “We know what does not work. And we know that the way forward is always found through greater respect for the human dignity of all.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/19/opinion/maryland-and-the-death-penalty.html

[NYC_SKP]

1. K/R Killing is killing is killing is killing.....

And, to me, it's far worse when committed by the state.

:kick:

[elleng]

2. With you, SKP.

[NYC_SKP]

3. Call me paranoid, but the return of Capital Punishment coincides with Reagan's Coup.

Or, if you wish, the convenient failed Carter hostage rescue attempt followed by all the rest...

I have vivid memories because I'd just moved to NYC when the hostages returned to a ticker tape parade, and I lived right on Broadway with a living room window view, but was thinking WTF just happened to Carter???

[elleng]

4. Right, and I attended 'parade' for reagan and thought the same WTF.

[NYC_SKP]

5. My dubious distinction, living on a street with a street view to two Reagan motorcades and one Pope!

I felt pretty special at the time!

Now it's just the daily Blue or Grey or Black Crowned Heron, or Egret, or Cormorant, in, frankly, a pretty crime-ridden neighborhood.

But I have the birds.

Do you know the plural term for a multitude of crows? (just an entree to other species, not a threat!)

Google "collective nouns" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_collective_nouns

For example, a "shrewdness of Apes"...

[elleng]

6. Not a gaggle, I bet!

and, one 'W' inaugural, my office, at 8th + Pennsylvania, had view of part of parade route (and capitol.) MOST of folks in the office were not happy.

MURDER!