Santorum rethinks death penalty stance

[Walt Starr]

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



A new poll showing that Catholics are backing off support for the death penalty was no surprise to U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, an outspoken conservative Catholic, who says he has been re-examining his own view.

He has not become an abolitionist, and he believes church teaching against the death penalty carries less weight than its longer-standing opposition to abortion. But he questions what he once unquestioningly supported.

"I felt very troubled about cases where someone may have been convicted wrongly. DNA evidence definitely should be used when possible," he said.

"I agree with the pope that in the civilized world ... the application of the death penalty should be limited. I would definitely agree with that. I would certainly suggest there probably should be some further limits on what we use it for."

<snip>

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05081/475366.stm

We've moved into Bizarro land when Republicans advocate nanny state actions and become anti-Death Penalty!

[Solon]

1. Not really nanny state...

More like, HOLY SHIT A RATIONAL ARGUMENT FROM SANCTIMONIOUS SANTORIUM!!!!!!!! OMFG!!!!!!! (faints)

[Walt Starr]

11. "Nanny State" was in reference to "Terri's Law"

That's the Nany State law he advocated.

[Solon]

21. That's not nanny state, that's being a fucking meddler in others affairs..

That is a big difference between Dems and Repukes, with the exceptions of some assholes in Congress that have a (D) next to the name but don't follow much else about the party. We want the government out of people personal business, whether this or anything else, as long as pepole don't hurt no one else, government should stay out of it. At the same time, we want to give people options, viable options, for medical care and other decisions, by lifting restrictions on such decisions like this, it opens an option for people to decide on, rather than shutting a door into their faces. Yes, I finally regained consciousness. :)

[Walt Starr]

22. government meddling in private matters = Nanny State.

:D

[Solon]

23. Cool, gotcha....

Redefine the word, its not Welfare that Creates the Nanny state, its when Congress decides to attach a freakin name to a bill to effect ONE bloody person. Hey, maybe I can start a petition to have the "Solon doesn't need a job anymore" Act, that sounds like a plan, I could use a few million dollars. :D

[atreides1]

2. Welcome to Bizarro Land

Isn't this just conveinient, right after the Bishops decide to turn up the heat against the death penalty.

[Avalux]

3. He's changing his stance to cover his ass

how can he speak out for Terri Schiavo and still be pro death penalty? He's got a re-election coming up you know.....

[tom_paine]

7. Exactly the corrupt, value-less flipflopping these monsters accused Kerry

of.

Imperial Senator ManOnDog will say and do anything to get "reelected".

What an empty, morally bankrupt scumbag.

Naurally he has risen very high in the Imperial Heirarchy. There is a deep need for men (and women) like this to serve the Imperial Family.

[Bunny]

8. That is exactly right. That sanctimonious fuck will do and say

anything to get re-elected next year. He needs to stay viable for his run for President in '08.

[Demit]

9. Yup. This is the Santorum campaign shuffle. Watch him sli-i-i-de over to

the middle, so he looks as moderate as Casey. Then he'll try for the "experience" advantage. He is slime.

[vickie]

4. Santorum is sanctimonious vermin. The sight of him makes me ill.

[LuminousX]

5. Flip Flopper

[Endangered Specie]

6. FLIP FLOP FLIP FLOP FLIP FLOP FLIP FLOP

(sorry I couldnt resist ;))

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. I Think The Whole Culture Of Life Argument Is A Worthy One...

Besides the Catholic church's take on sexuality it ideas on war, the role of the worker, social welfare, and the culture of life come closest to mine...

[jedr]

12. tricky Ricky always moves to the center,

just before the elections....only this time he has a record of turning his back on the people of Pittsburgh after the floods, and it will bite him in the a**

[deadparrot]

13. FLIP FLOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nt

[saltpoint]

14. Agreed. This does feel like a major shift in their --

-- hang-em-high, fry-'em-fast ideology.

[PsN2Wind]

15. But the war against Iraq

was OK by him and many other Catholics even though the Pope condemned it. Now who's the Cafeteria Catholic?

[AngryOldDem]

16. I absolutely hate this statement

>>...he believes church teaching against the death penalty carries less weight than its longer-standing opposition to abortion.>>

The Church teaches that life is sacred, period.

This is even more true when you realize just how many people have been wrongly sentenced to die, but then were later released; more tragically, just how many people have been put to death for crimes they did not do. We may never know the true figures on that one. And I'm glad that this little bit of info troubles Santorum. It should.

If you read the catechism closely on the death penalty, it's pretty clear that the Church is opposed to it, no matter what kind of spin anyone within or without the institution puts on it.

EDIT: Fix wording

[merh]

17. What a jerk -

"..., and he believes church teaching against the death penalty carries less weight than its longer-standing opposition to abortion."

What about ANTI-WAR -- what about the Catholic Churches opposition to the war in IRAQ??

They all carry the same weight and he can't pick and chose which ones are more important or "weighty" than the other!!!

What a prick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Junkdrawer]

18. Ricky's getting ready for the fight of his life in 2006...

and my bet is the GOP is going to blame him for the Terri fiasco...

(rumor has it he wrote the "Talking Points" memo)

[Toots]

19. I never realized the Catholic church ever backed the Death Penalty

That is a real shocker to me....

[Bouncy Ball]

20. BIZARRO!!!

And sorry but I don't trust that shmuck one freaking bit. He's just talking out his ASS.

[Walt Starr]

24. .