There is nothing conclusive here either way. It was definitely a weak case for the death penalty. This is why I only support the death penalty in cases where the crime was egregious and where the evidence is overwhelming. The evidence was sorely lacking here.
But on the other hand, there are also problems with those who say he's innocent. Just because there were no fire accelerants found in the house doesn't mean that he didn't start the fire. He could still be found guilty of arson. I'm a little surprised they didn't do more conclusive chemical testing.
Also, the critics....the experts who are looking over the original report....didn't have the opportunity to actually examine the scene first hand or conduct a thorough separate investigation. Cases like this are very much hands on....and when there is doubt, a lot of weight has to go to those who were actually there.
But I have to say that the prosecutor is a little crazy.
This is one of those cases where the truth may never be known.
@ Tex: No offense, but if you think a march...ANY kind of march will curb the madness going on in your state with this death penalty nonsense, think again. This isn't a diss to your movement. I've just never been a believer in marches and rallies. They're so 1963.
But to address the post specifically: I can't believe the lame defense Judge Jackson offered for the verdict was virtually unchallenged. I have to believe the lawyers involved (and perhaps the folks over in the appellate court) were looking to score points with each other. Because there is NO WAY the judge's ruling could've avoided scrutiny the way it did unless people were in cohoots with one another.
"The two parties have combined against us to nullify our power by a ‘gentleman's agreement' of non-recognition, no matter how we vote ... May God write us down as asses if ever again we are found putting our trust in either the Republican or the Democratic Parties." -- W.E.B. DuBois (1922)
The Crazies - Starring Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, The Tea Partiers, and the ill informed (clueless) American voter. The summary of the actual movie doesn't seem too far off the mark. Irrationality and plain lunacy have taken over American politics and is creeping into mainstream culture. Soon American voters will return the same people to power (The Republicans) who presided over the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression. In addition to having very short memories, Americans apparently don't have much in terms of brains or reasoning ability. What happened to common sense? I have absolutely no faith in the American voter. None. The crazies have definitely taken over. The ill-informed voter is the most dangerous voter of all. And now (thanks to the American education system) these folks exist in great numbers and will be making decisions for the rest of us through the ballot box. This essentially means that gridlock will become the norm. The U.S. is going to be paralyzed and held hostage by the nuts on the right for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, when the Country needs bold political leadership and action the most...when the Country will need to do big bold things as it did under Lincoln, FDR, Eisenhower, & Kennedy, this time it won't be able to respond to the great challenges that it faces. Other Countries will take the lead role instead.... while the U.S. falls behind.
The Republican Media Page
A page focusing on the Republican Right Wing media and its war against President Barack Obama and any kind of Progressive policies to move the Country forward. Yes, the Republican Party IS led by Rush Limbaugh & Co. And yes, Rush Limbaugh & Co. DOES speak for Republicans...and they have been the spokesmen & the foot soldiers for the Republican Party for years. See why their hate speech & divisive politics are so dangerous to the Country and understand their current propaganda campaign aimed at undermining President Obama and weakening his government and the Country. Hoping that Obama fails in these uncertain times = hoping that the Country fails (in the minds of these bigoted Republicans...it's all about their own political gain).
Mayer Hawthorne - How Do You Do Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement
Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key of Life
Black Keys - Brother
Fontella Bass- Free
Omar - There's Nothing Like This
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Robert Reich
Liar In the Spotlight - Our Worst Person List
Willard Romney When is he not lying about something? He lies, misleads and flipflops whenever it's convenient. I haven't noticed anything genuine about him yet. His comment about not being concerned about the very poor was revealing (one of the few moments when he slipped up and allowed himself to be honest about something). That statement took the cake. (The idea that he could become POTUS scares the Hell out of me)
3 comments:
Sign the petition to Governor Rick Perry and the State of Texas to acknowledge that the fire in the Cameron Todd Willingham case was not arson, therefore no crime was committed and on February 17, 2004, Texas executed an innocent man.
We plan to deliver the petition at the 10th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty on October 24 in Austin at the Texas Capitol.
There is nothing conclusive here either way. It was definitely a weak case for the death penalty. This is why I only support the death penalty in cases where the crime was egregious and where the evidence is overwhelming. The evidence was sorely lacking here.
But on the other hand, there are also problems with those who say he's innocent. Just because there were no fire accelerants found in the house doesn't mean that he didn't start the fire. He could still be found guilty of arson. I'm a little surprised they didn't do more conclusive chemical testing.
Also, the critics....the experts who are looking over the original report....didn't have the opportunity to actually examine the scene first hand or conduct a thorough separate investigation. Cases like this are very much hands on....and when there is doubt, a lot of weight has to go to those who were actually there.
But I have to say that the prosecutor is a little crazy.
This is one of those cases where the truth may never be known.
@ Tex: No offense, but if you think a march...ANY kind of march will curb the madness going on in your state with this death penalty nonsense, think again. This isn't a diss to your movement. I've just never been a believer in marches and rallies. They're so 1963.
But to address the post specifically: I can't believe the lame defense Judge Jackson offered for the verdict was virtually unchallenged. I have to believe the lawyers involved (and perhaps the folks over in the appellate court) were looking to score points with each other. Because there is NO WAY the judge's ruling could've avoided scrutiny the way it did unless people were in cohoots with one another.
The Texas judicial system. Hard at work.
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