h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I don't think McViegh really looked to President Bush for clemency. He waived all of his appeals early on. Although, there was some last minute defense because he thought it would embarrass the feds.

I don't think the record of Texas executions is relevant. Governors of Texas cannot commute sentences of death. Only the state parole board has that authority. Governor Bush can take the blame for executions in Texas any more than he can take the credit for them.

I do support having a few executions recorded for television. I wouldn't want to make a spectacle of every execution, but I do think that people should understand what we are condemning criminals to. We shouldn't accept the death penalty with a cavalier attitude. It's a solemn duty that requires careful consideration.

I think that the death penalty is poorly implemented. I think we need to provide the best defense that money can buy for defendants who face executions. The only way we can have confidence in the outcome is if the facts aren't thoroughly explored by the defense as well as the prosecution.

I also think that the death penalty is under used. In Georgia, we have laws on the books for several capital crimes. They include murder, kidnapping with injury, armed robbery, treason, high jacking and rape. The death penalty statute lists aggravating circumstances that must be met for the death penalty to be applied (treason and high jacking are exceptions, and they can always be punished by death). If these crimes are committed, and these aggravating circumstances are present, I think the death penalty has to be considered as appropriate.

Two Bit Trigger Pumping Moron
An opinion can be argued with; a conviction is best shot. - T E Lawrence