Death penalty ban killed in House commitee

They stood in the way of no one (0.00 / 0)

the process is what it is.

Whether it be a state pancake, self-defense, horse slaughter houses or the death penalty...why blog about/alert the public to any upcoming committee hearings if you're not gonna try and kill it or pass it before it reaches the floor in either the House or the Senate?  

It's an all or nothing...you can't praise a committee's decision over here, then shit on the process over there.  

You can't cherry pick.  You can't cry foul when things don't go your way.

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by: Rusty Shackleford @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 00:12:52 AM UTC

That's just bullshit, ain't it? (0.00 / 0)

you can't praise a committee's decision over here, then shit on the process over there.

Jay wasn't "shitting on the process".  He was bemoaning the fact a good bill died.  If you'd pull your head out every now and again, you'd realize that the counter-point to praise is censure, exactly what Jay did.  He didn't 'shit on' anything.  You, on the other hand ...    

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by: Rob Kailey @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 00:21:44 AM UTC

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I can do whatever the f*ck I want! (0.00 / 0)

Some days I'm thrilled about the legislative process. Some days it kills. Today, literally.

But thanks for the reminder, Rusty.

I do think committee chairs abuse their power, however, regardless of party. The worst was Sinrud, of course. We do a pretty good job of covering committeework here in MT, on the website, in the papers, and on the blogs, but I do think most Montanans -- like everywhere else -- don't realize how much power committees have...

I'm not offering a solution, today. Just b*tchin'.

/rant

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by: Jay Stevens @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 00:27:16 AM UTC

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for so called freedom lovers (0.00 / 0)

right wing nuts sure do like to tell us what we can and can't do....

United we stand, divided we fall.

power to the polite people!

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by: wolverine6 @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 00:28:52 AM UTC

At least two crossed party lines on this one (0.00 / 0)

that's assuming it was a near-party line vote..but the 10-8 vote tells us at least two.

Jay's right - an issue so large, they should have at least allowed it out on the floor for a full vote.

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by: jhwygirl @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 01:34:11 AM UTC

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What makes this issue larger than any other? (0.00 / 0)

Right to Work, the horse slaughter house legislation, HB 228...all these you wanted killed in committee.

Are you saying that some legislation is more important than others?

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by: Rusty Shackleford @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 01:52:51 AM UTC

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Yes (0.00 / 0)

I'd say the death penalty is more important an issue than the state's love song.

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by: jhwygirl @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 02:47:13 AM UTC

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Strawman much? (0.00 / 0)

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by: Rusty Shackleford @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 02:58:07 AM UTC

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Don't count on it jhwygirl - (0.00 / 0)

As I explained to you in a previous comment - there have only been what, 3 executions in Montana in the last 6 decades - it's hardly a priority to change the law!

Let's hear the new proposed State Love Song, or Official State Pancake Recipe!

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by: Eric Coobs @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 03:51:40 AM UTC

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I think just one crossed over, jhwygirl (0.00 / 0)

Arlene Becker (D-Billings) voted for the death penalty, which surprised me.

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by: pete talbot @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 16:08:23 PM UTC

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It was just one... (0.00 / 0)

I got the math wrong - the House committees are split 50-50.

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by: jhwygirl @ Wed Apr 01, 2009 at 00:51:16 AM UTC

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And speaking of legislative procedures... (0.00 / 0)

What's your take on the Governor's veto power?

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by: Rusty Shackleford @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 05:45:06 AM UTC

the veto? (0.00 / 0)

I'm fine with the veto. A veto makes news. A veto happens in the open. A veto is part of the checks and balances we  have in government. A committee is none of those things. But I'm not against committees, per se. Some days I find them utterly frustrating, and other days, I acknowledge they're very useful.

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by: Jay Stevens @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 12:28:16 PM UTC

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veto power - (0.00 / 0)

Don't forget that the Governor has the power to commute sentences - if you are truly worried about the death penalty, you can always petition Governor Schweitzer to intervene on a case-by-case basis -

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by: Eric Coobs @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 17:37:09 PM UTC

Eric ... (0.00 / 0)

Can you name one instance in Montana when the governor has commuted a death sentence?

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by: pete talbot @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 17:47:17 PM UTC

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Since we've had so few executions, (0.00 / 0)

you can hardly use past data to set precedence or make a statistic.

- Keeping the Left honest since 2001

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by: sydney@alias @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 18:23:58 PM UTC

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No Pete I can't - (0.00 / 0)

That's one of my points Pete -

The Death Penalty has resulted in 3 executions in the last 60 years, and all of those executed could have been poster-children to keep the law -

My point that you questioned me on is valid - in that if there was truly a miscarriage of justice the Governor could intervene with an executive order -

other than to shorten the appeals process, let the law stand -

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by: Eric Coobs @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 19:27:29 PM UTC

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Syd and Eric ... (0.00 / 0)

Yeah, in the last 60 years, just three (the death penalty was outlawed for four years -- 1972 to 1976).

Before that we strung up Indians, Negroes, radicals and thieves ... any number of folks we didn't like.  Let's go back to those good ol' days.

Seriously, I suppose there are some scum-sucking dogs that deserve it.  But since I'm not omnipotent, I certainly don't feel qualified to make the call.  

And what if I do make the call, and I'm wrong?  Keep in mind that recent DNA testing has uncovered 124 individuals wrongfully convicted of capital crimes and placed on death row in 25 states.

   

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by: pete talbot @ Wed Apr 01, 2009 at 03:18:10 AM UTC

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Death and Racism (0.00 / 0)

 
     Since we don't have but a few Blacks and Hispanics in our fair state we don't need any Equality laws. Same for the Death Penalty so few sanctioned killings - who cares?
    Right Wingers - narcissistic authoritarians that they are will never understand the concept of Justice without killing. Their Jingoistic nature lures them to kill and the State sanctioning it, makes it all the better.

    Killed in Committee for this an several other issues is a travesty of Justice and chicken Sh*t politics by the Kill mongers.

    i will make trouble for Arlene Becker. What a stupid vote by her.

      William Crain
       Billings,MT

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by: Darwin26 @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 19:58:47 PM UTC

becker was not obligated (0.00 / 0)

to vote any particular way, William.  Threats - whether valid or not - are way out of bounds, there....

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by: jhwygirl @ Wed Apr 01, 2009 at 01:01:00 AM UTC

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