Want to understand why we should be offended over the
government’s assassination of an American citizen/terrorist in Yemen? Read law Professor Jonathan Turley’s Op Ed in
Wednesdays (10/5) USA Today.
As the professor noted:
“No republican can long stand if a president retains the
unilateral authority to kill citizens whom he deems a danger to the
country. What is left is a magnificent
edifice of laws and values that, to quote Shakespeare’s Macbeth, is ‘full of
sound and fury, signifying nothing.’”
Be afraid when government, with the power to imprison or
kill, unilaterally exerts that power without so much as a whimper about law or
justice.
In that same day’s paper, the editors of USA Today,
noting Amanda Knox’s release, drew a cogent comparison to the Casey Anthony
case.
“How did Knox end up under arrest, held without bail and
imprisoned for four years? Perhaps one
part of the answer is that her case had more in common with Anthony’s than
first impressions would suggest. A
rush to judgment in any language is a dangerous thing . . . So which system
is worse? One that might let a killer go
free or one that puts an innocent person in jail? Put yourself in Knox’s shoes, and the answer
is obvious.”
Two very powerful points.
Here is the simple truth:
prosecutors and police make mistakes.
They want to close cases and get wins.
I have literally met hundreds of men who were lied to, cajoled; you name
it, to get a conviction. Were they
guilty? In most cases, yes. But when the police are allowed to lie, to
distort the truth, justice suffers.
And finally, don’t think Virginia needs prison reform? Read about the success in Texas with early
release, alternative sentencing for non-violent felons, and emphasis on
programs. The Texas Public Policy
Foundation reports in its September 2011 newsletter of significant money
savings as well as reduced inmate population and lower crime rates. Perhaps Governor McDonnell could learn a few
things from Texas Governor Perry.
Finally “The Daily Press” (Hampton Roads newspaper) called
for prison reform on September 26th.
How many more editorials have to be written before the Governor and the
General Assembly finally do the right thing?
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