Child rapists can't be executed, Supreme Court rules

[Silverback]

Unbowed, politicians vow to execute child rapists

Angry politicians vowed to keep writing laws that condemn child rapists to death, despite a Supreme Court decision saying such punishment is unconstitutional.

"Anybody in the country who cares about children should be outraged that we have a Supreme Court that would issue a decision like this," said Alabama Attorney General Troy King, a Republican. The justices, he said, are "creating a situation where the country is a less safe place to grow up."

The court's 5-4 decision Wednesday derailed the efforts of nearly a dozen states supporting the right to kill those convicted of raping a child — and said execution was confined to attacks that take a life and to other crimes including treason and espionage.

At issue before the high court was a Louisiana case involving Patrick Kennedy, sentenced to die for raping his 8-year-old daughter in her bed, an assault so severe she required surgery.

In his majority opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote "the death penalty is not a proportional punishment for the rape of a child," despite the horrendous nature of the crime.

Republican Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal called the ruling "incredibly absurd," "a clear abuse of judicial authority" and said officials will "evaluate ways to amend our statute to maintain death as a penalty for this horrific crime."

Full Story

[RangerX]

I hear what your saying (I am against the death penalty) but I have to wonder...after a savage crime like this what measure of life will a child have?

Probably akin to someone who is missing limbs from a I.E.D. , suffering through terminal cancer or other disease, or FUBAR from an auto accident. Quality of life is what they make of it.

The problem is that child rape happens prior to the child having built significant coping skills. It's just a damn shame and it makes me sick.

I've had the unfortunate distinction of having this happen to two children in my extended family, one 3 and the other 8.

The 3 year old is fine. Hasn't got a clue what happened, her little mind wiped it out completely. She is now 10 and exactly like her cousins and siblings in every way.

The 8 (now 22) year old remembers the event vividly. Her way of dealing with it was to focus her anger on the rapist, and not turn in to a perpetual victim. I wouldn't go as far as to call her normal, but she's a lot more clued in to how the world operates than most of her peers.

By the way, both cases involved complete strangers to the families & happened in England,where child rapists get 2-4 year sentences in minimum security "rehabilitation camps". No time in GP, because we all know what would happen there.

I've been against the death penalty for anything for a long time for two reasons.

One, there have been too many innocent men placed on death row by over zealous DAs looking to make a name for themselves.

Two, I think prison should be punishment, not rehabilitation. It should be the most miserable experience possible, hard labor and lifers counting down the days until they die. Child rapists should have all their teeth knocked out before being put in to a cell, so they don't scrape their new bunk-buddies.

[rgrokelley]

The Boston Herald reports that Rep. James Fagan is a critic of the legislation:

Fagan, a defense attorney, infuriated victims' rights advocates during a recent House debate when he said he would "rip apart" 6-year-old victims on the witness stand and "make sure the rest of their life is ruined."
In a fiery soliloquy on the House floor, Fagan said he'd grill victims so that, "when they're 8 years old they throw up; when they're 12 years old, they won't sleep; when they're 19 years old, they'll have nightmares and they'll never have a relationship with anybody."
Fagan did not return calls seeking comment

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/region ... id=1102761

Nowhere do they mention his party affiliation. This is something the media has a problem with, unless they are republican, or conservative.

Democrat http://www.mass.gov/legis/member/jhf1.htm

Sorry, I should have put a sarcasm smiley there somewhere

This is a pattern you see a lot in the media. They go out of their way to label republicans or conservatives, but then remain quiet when it is one of their own. Instead of Democratic Congressman James Fagan, it is only Rep. James Fagan.

[Silverback]

Time-Served Credit for Sex Predators
In 1999, while in the Illinois State Legislature, Obama was the only vote AGAINST SB 485, a bill that would prohibit certain persons convicted of criminal sexual abuse from receiving credit for time served in the county jail.

-SB 485 March 11, 1999

[Mr_Handsome]

Time-Served Credit for Sex Predators
In 1999, while in the Illinois State Legislature, Obama was the only vote AGAINST SB 485, a bill that would prohibit certain persons convicted of criminal sexual abuse from receiving credit for time served in the county jail.

-SB 485 March 11, 1999

What the hell?....which Obama will we get as POTUS?...the bleeding heart lib Obama or the "tough on crime during an election year" Obama....fucking typical politician

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080625/ap_ ... _rape_case

[Darksaga]

The law won't be involved if anyone ever touches my kids....

On second thought, I guess the law would get involved when it came time to deal with me.

I agree.

I will have a proper egress planned out and if that involves spending the rest of my life in the Canadian Wilderness then so be it.

[RangerX]

The law won't be involved if anyone ever touches my kids....

On second thought, I guess the law would get involved when it came time to deal with me.

I agree.

I will have a proper egress planned out and if that involves spending the rest of my life in the Canadian Wilderness then so be it.

With proper planning, the law will never have anything to touch you with.

[GoldCoast]

I've been against the death penalty for anything for a long time for two reasons.

One, there have been too many innocent men placed on death row by over zealous DAs looking to make a name for themselves.

Two, I think prison should be punishment, not rehabilitation. It should be the most miserable experience possible, hard labor and lifers counting down the days until they die.

100% concur

[wade_the_duck]

I would have thought that any half-decent veterinarian could "reform" any child rapists with a 100% effectiveness, but that's just me.

[EvilCouch]

I would have thought that any half-decent veterinarian could "reform" any child rapists with a 100% effectiveness, but that's just me.

Hell of a lot cheaper and more effective than counseling.

[Oto-Man]

I would have thought that any half-decent veterinarian could "reform" any child rapists with a 100% effectiveness, but that's just me.

Hell of a lot cheaper and more effective than counseling.

I'm no veterinarian, I'm just a Hearing Specialist...but I am Board Certified ...and I'll PAY $200 per rapist to have the opportunity to "Reform" their sorry ass...