Most of you know that I am a long time opponent of the death penalty. There are many arguments against it, the most self-serving for the state of which is that it is more expensive to carry a capital case through to conclusion than it is to incarcerate a prisoner for natural life (without possibility. of parole). The Republicans have an answer. Their solution is to make it easier for the state to kill a man (or woman) by limiting convicts’ right to appeal. However that makes it even more possible for innocent people to be executed. This is especially true now, because Republicans like Rick Perry care so little about your rights, that they have no compunction about committing capital murder through execution. Human life if far too precious to entrust it to “pro death” Republicans.
Gov. Rick Perry, a likely GOP presidential candidate, faces a new burden: a searing documentary film, Incendiary, that looks at the railroading of a suspect for an arson incident that killed his children. The executed convict was Cameron Todd Willingham, but the new film and extensive print journalism makes a compelling case that he was wrongly convicted and that Gov. Perry brushed aside strong evidence for his innocence.
UPDATE: The Week magazine has a round-up story on the impact of the execution headlined: “Rick Perry’s death penalty ‘disgrace’: A 2012 dealbreaker?As a presidential run looks likely for the Texas governor, questions resurface about his role in the execution of a man who, according to forensics experts, was innocent.”
As the Chicago Tribune summed up: “Man executed on disproved forensics… Fire that killed his 3 children could have been accidental.”
Some highlights of its investigation, echoed by other accounts:
While Texas authorities dismissed his protests, a Tribune investigation of his case shows that Willingham was prosecuted and convicted based primarily on arson theories that have since been repudiated by scientific advances. According to four fire experts consulted by the Tribune, the original investigation was flawed and it is even possible the fire was accidental.
Before Willingham died by lethal injection on Feb. 17, Texas judges and Gov. Rick Perry turned aside a report from a prominent fire scientist questioning the conviction.
This miscarriage of justice, though, probably sells well with Perry’s hard-core ideological base… [emphasis original]
Inserted from <Huffington Post>
Rick Perry is unfit to be Governor of Texas, let alone president.
Even, if there were a way to insure that the death penalty could be administered fairly and accurately, and there is not, killing someone is to show that killing is wrong is the ultimate hypocrisy.
20 Responses to “Rick Perry: Capital Murderer”
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That’s right, Rick. Tear the Constitution to shreds. Is he not the same as the dictators around the world?
He is.
Perry’s “all rig and no oil”, kick his ass out of office! 👿
Or no rig and too much oil.
There is NOTHING about Perry that qualifies him for office of any kind. Maybe dog catcher, but even that is questionable.
Charles, take care. You may be attacked by thousands of dogs for saying that.
After our long suffering through two disastrous Bush administrations, I’ve got to admit that “41” got it partially right:
Read my lips … No New Texans!
What? No Willie? 😈
You lost me there!
Willie Nelson for President! TeaPot Party! That’s who! 😈
ARGH! 🙁
LOL!
How are closet criminals and murderers like this ever voted into office in the first place ? I would suggest people do not pay attention to what is going on ,Voting party line will do it– the Republican party has no honor left-but life long repugs , just continue to vote as they did 50 years ago–
Phyllis, I think it’s the intersection of apathy and misinformation.
If you also read New Yorker’s article which cites an author’s journey in trying to help Willingham, who was essentially murdered due to Perry’s denial of allowing new evidence, it’s unconscionable. I was wondering if there could perhaps be charges pending for the negligent people involved. One man had to leave his job as his ‘expertise’ was highly questionable in several cases.
Someone should be held accountable. (I’m looking at you Perry).
Welcome Ano! 🙂 It’s about time you wandered by the new location. 😉
Thanks for the updated info.
Rick Perry is not qualified for ANY office – not even dog catcher (he’d have them all killed immediately). The thought that he thinks that he is qualified for President should make us all ashamed as a Nation. (Bachmann too, but that’s a whole other gig.) The man is psychotic. Making it HARDER to appeal the death penalty – that’s just crazy and I’m sure it’s unconstitutional as well. There are checks and balances for a reason! I say we send Rick Perry to legal injection – I’m sure he’d love it. 😉 😡
Texas murders more innocent people than the Joplin tornado did EVERY YEAR. This man is a disgrace to say the least.
Excellent point, Lisa.
Oh it is such a frigging JOY & I really mean that to see you libs twist off. Sorry, guys we have learned the candidate y’all attack the most is the candidate you fear the most. LOL so boys have at it, your making great arguments for Governor Perry to be President. Gotta love libs…
Victoria, I normally welcome people who comment for the first time. In your case, I’ll make an exception, not because to do not have a right to your views, but because personal attacks against me and people who comment here, including you, will not be tole. Please read our rules page. This is your only warning.
As to your argument, you seem to be saying that killing the innocent qualifies Perry to be President, as that is what the complaint against him here is. How Republican! I never could understand why for Republicans, life begins at conception and ends at birth!