Comments for Dallas Can Do Better http://www.dallascandobetter.org Working to right social injustice Sat, 25 Jun 2011 13:04:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Texans Have a Lot to be Proud of – Killing the Mentally Retarded is not One of Them by dudleysharp http://www.dallascandobetter.org/2011/06/texans-have-a-lot-to-be-proud-of-killing-the-mentally-retarded-is-not-one-of-them/comment-page-1/#comment-137 dudleysharp Sat, 25 Jun 2011 13:04:15 +0000 http://www.dallascandobetter.org/?p=1418#comment-137 Such nonsense. It is unconstitutional to execute the mentally retarded. That is a legal issue, pre trial, at trial and on appeal. To state the obvious, had there been proof of mental retardation, there would have been no execution. The reality is that the majority of the tests showed he wasn't mentally retarded and the one test that did, was after he was arrested and subject to the death penalty and it was in his best interest to fail the test. The overwhelming evidence, in his life, his schooling, his work history, his testimony at trial, etc., established that he was not mentally retarded. Such nonsense.

It is unconstitutional to execute the mentally retarded. That is a legal issue, pre trial, at trial and on appeal.

To state the obvious, had there been proof of mental retardation, there would have been no execution.

The reality is that the majority of the tests showed he wasn’t mentally retarded and the one test that did, was after he was arrested and subject to the death penalty and it was in his best interest to fail the test.

The overwhelming evidence, in his life, his schooling, his work history, his testimony at trial, etc., established that he was not mentally retarded.

]]> Comment on Death Penalty and the Costs of Revenge by dudleysharp http://www.dallascandobetter.org/2011/06/death-penalty-and-the-costs-of-revenge/comment-page-1/#comment-136 dudleysharp Sat, 25 Jun 2011 12:50:22 +0000 http://www.dallascandobetter.org/?p=1416#comment-136 "The Death Penalty: Neither Hatred nor Revenge" http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/07/20/the-death-penalty-neither-hatred-nor-revenge.aspx "Killing equals Killing: The Amoral Confusion of Death Penalty Opponents" http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/02/01/murder-and-execution--very-distinct-moral-differences--new-mexico.aspx "The Death Penalty: Not a Human Rights Violation" http://homicidesurvivors.com/2006/03/20/the-death-penalty-not-a-human-rights-violation.aspx “The Death Penalty: Neither Hatred nor Revenge”
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/07/20/the-death-penalty-neither-hatred-nor-revenge.aspx

“Killing equals Killing: The Amoral Confusion of Death Penalty Opponents”
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/02/01/murder-and-execution–very-distinct-moral-differences–new-mexico.aspx

“The Death Penalty: Not a Human Rights Violation”
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2006/03/20/the-death-penalty-not-a-human-rights-violation.aspx

]]> Comment on Death Penalty and the Costs of Revenge by dudleysharp http://www.dallascandobetter.org/2011/06/death-penalty-and-the-costs-of-revenge/comment-page-1/#comment-135 dudleysharp Sat, 25 Jun 2011 12:47:03 +0000 http://www.dallascandobetter.org/?p=1416#comment-135 I would advise you to fact check the California costs. For example, look at Texas costs. Texas cost study - I have told the Dallas Morning News, for many years, to stop using their totally inaccurate cost review. They still use it. They found that it costs $2.3 million per average death penalty case (for 5 cases), more than 3 times more expensive than a $750,000 life sentence. (C. Hoppe, "Executions Cost Texas Millions," The Dallas Morning News, March 8, 1992, 1A) The death penalty costs are for pre trial, trial and appeals and incarceration. Yet, the life cost is only for confinement for life. Big problem. In addition, an academic review, by a neutral academic, found that the verifiable costs in the DMN article actually found the death penalty was cheaper. p154-156 http://books.google.com/books?id=IQJtCjhdGeUC&pg=PA154&lpg=PA154&ots=Mtji7SSu0v&dq=cost+%22death+penalty%22+Dallas+morning+news%22&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html and Virginia: How the death penalty will save money over life without parole (LWOP). Virginia executes in 5-7 years. 65% of those sentenced to death have been executed. Only 15% of their death penalty cases are overturned. (Source Virginia AG) With the high costs of long term imprisonment, such a system, as Virginia's, a true life sentence will be more expensive than such a death penalty protocol. All states could duplicate this protocol, with the major exception that you can't transfer Virginia jurisdiction judges to other states. I would advise you to fact check the California costs.

For example, look at Texas costs.

Texas cost study – I have told the Dallas Morning News, for many years, to stop using their totally inaccurate cost review. They still use it.

They found that it costs $2.3 million per average death penalty case (for 5 cases), more than 3 times more expensive than a $750,000 life sentence. (C. Hoppe, “Executions Cost Texas Millions,” The Dallas Morning News, March 8, 1992, 1A)

The death penalty costs are for pre trial, trial and appeals and incarceration. Yet, the life cost is only for confinement for life. Big problem.

In addition, an academic review, by a neutral academic, found that the verifiable costs in the DMN article actually found the death penalty was cheaper.

p154-156 http://books.google.com/books?id=IQJtCjhdGeUC&pg=PA154&lpg=PA154&ots=Mtji7SSu0v&dq=cost+%22death+penalty%22+Dallas+morning+news%22&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html

and

Virginia: How the death penalty will save money over life without parole (LWOP).

Virginia executes in 5-7 years. 65% of those sentenced to death have been executed. Only 15% of their death penalty cases are overturned. (Source Virginia AG)

With the high costs of long term imprisonment, such a system, as Virginia’s, a true life sentence will be more expensive than such a death penalty protocol. All states could duplicate this protocol, with the major exception that you can’t transfer Virginia jurisdiction judges to other states.

]]> Comment on Texans Have a Lot to be Proud of – Killing the Mentally Retarded is not One of Them by Jacob http://www.dallascandobetter.org/2011/06/texans-have-a-lot-to-be-proud-of-killing-the-mentally-retarded-is-not-one-of-them/comment-page-1/#comment-134 Jacob Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:44:38 +0000 http://www.dallascandobetter.org/?p=1418#comment-134 I read this yesterday on YahooNews. It's unbelievable how our Governor truly believes that this is justice. Granted, Mathis is by no means a good man and was rightfully convicted, but to put him to death after knowing that he has obvious mental problems is just plain absurd! What's worse is that so many Texans believe that this was justice. It's cases like this that gives the Texas Justice System the negativity that it has, and believe me, it seems like Texas never ceases to disappoint its critics. I read this yesterday on YahooNews. It’s unbelievable how our Governor truly believes that this is justice. Granted, Mathis is by no means a good man and was rightfully convicted, but to put him to death after knowing that he has obvious mental problems is just plain absurd! What’s worse is that so many Texans believe that this was justice. It’s cases like this that gives the Texas Justice System the negativity that it has, and believe me, it seems like Texas never ceases to disappoint its critics.

]]> Comment on Let’s Fix Today for Tomorrow by Jacob http://www.dallascandobetter.org/2011/04/lets-fix-today-for-tomorrow/comment-page-1/#comment-133 Jacob Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:19:57 +0000 http://www.dallascandobetter.org/?p=1323#comment-133 One reason for the incarceration rate inclining and the crime rate declining isn't necessarily that people are suffering needlessly, but rather that things such as parole violations and probation violations don't get counted in the crime rate I don't believe. Also, there are cities such as NY that don't have the means necessary to arrest all those that break the law--that is to say that they don't have enough police officers to patrol every neighborhood and therefore a lot of crimes do not get solved. This can definitely play a role in the declining crime rate, but I think the issue is more towards the question of "when is punishing people too much?" Severity of a punishment may be the more appropriate aspect of the justice system to look at here. Perhaps incarcerating somebody for a crime such as a warrant for an unpaid speeding ticket, or jailing a minor for underage drinking is perhaps too harsh or ineffective even. However, I do agree that there is an inconsistency in the crime rate to incarceration ratio, and this is something that needs to be paid more attention to by more Americans. One reason for the incarceration rate inclining and the crime rate declining isn’t necessarily that people are suffering needlessly, but rather that things such as parole violations and probation violations don’t get counted in the crime rate I don’t believe. Also, there are cities such as NY that don’t have the means necessary to arrest all those that break the law–that is to say that they don’t have enough police officers to patrol every neighborhood and therefore a lot of crimes do not get solved. This can definitely play a role in the declining crime rate, but I think the issue is more towards the question of “when is punishing people too much?” Severity of a punishment may be the more appropriate aspect of the justice system to look at here. Perhaps incarcerating somebody for a crime such as a warrant for an unpaid speeding ticket, or jailing a minor for underage drinking is perhaps too harsh or ineffective even. However, I do agree that there is an inconsistency in the crime rate to incarceration ratio, and this is something that needs to be paid more attention to by more Americans.

]]> Comment on Hank Skinner allowed to pursue his civil rights lawsuit by ns0692 http://www.dallascandobetter.org/2011/03/hank-skinner-allowed-to-pursue-his-civil-rights-lawsuit/comment-page-1/#comment-132 ns0692 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:12:02 +0000 http://www.dallascandobetter.org/?p=1280#comment-132 " Only thirty-five minutes before his execution, Hank decided that he wanted a DNA test and the courts postponed the execution to debate whether or not he could do that." This is an wholly incorrect statement. Mr. Skinner did not "decide 35 minutes before his execution" that he wanted DNA testing. Mr. Skinner has been fighting for this DNA testing for over 15 years now. There is just way too much misinformation that goes around about this case. ” Only thirty-five minutes before his execution, Hank decided that he wanted a DNA test and the courts postponed the execution to debate whether or not he could do that.”

This is an wholly incorrect statement. Mr. Skinner did not “decide 35 minutes before his execution” that he wanted DNA testing. Mr. Skinner has been fighting for this DNA testing for over 15 years now.

There is just way too much misinformation that goes around about this case.

]]> Comment on Sister Helen Visits SMU by dudleysharp http://www.dallascandobetter.org/2010/11/sister-helen-visits-smu/comment-page-1/#comment-131 dudleysharp Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:21:42 +0000 http://www.dallascandobetter.org/?p=1129#comment-131 There are lots of problesm with Sister Prejean and Dead Man Walking 1) This why I support the death penalty http://justsnapd8.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/i-am-pro-life-and-pro-death-penalty/#comment-361 2) Angel on Death Row: An Interview with Detective Vernado in the case of Faith Hathaway http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/angel/interviews/mvarnado.html 3) "Dead Man Walking" & Sr. Helen Prejean: A Critical Review From Dudley Sharp " . . .makes you realize the Dead Man Walking truly belongs on the shelf in the library in the Fiction category." "Being devout Catholics, 'the norm' would be to look to the church for support and healing. Again, this need for spiritual stability was stolen by Sister Prejean." The Bourques, Victim Survivors, Dead Family Walking "Sister Helen Prejean & the death penalty: A Critical Review" http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/05/04/sister-helen-prejean--the-death-penalty-a-critical-review.aspx Other, related links "Death Penalty Support: Christian & Secular Scholars" http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/07/death-penalty-support-modern-catholic.html "The Death Penalty: Neither Hatred nor Revenge" http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/07/20/the-death-penalty-neither-hatred-nor-revenge.aspx "The Death Penalty: More Protection for Innocents" http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/07/05/the-death-penalty-more-protection-for-innocents.aspx "The Innocent Executed: Deception & Death Penalty Opponents" http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/10/08/the-innocent-executed-deception--death-penalty-opponents--draft.aspx "Killing equals Killing: The Amoral Confusion of Death Penalty Opponents" http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/02/01/murder-and-execution--very-distinct-moral-differences--new-mexico.aspx "The Death Penalty: Not a Human Rights Violation" http://homicidesurvivors.com/2006/03/20/the-death-penalty-not-a-human-rights-violation.aspx "Physicians & The State Execution of Murderers: No Ethical/Medical Dilemma" http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/10/physicians-state-execution-of-murderers.html "Pope John Paul II: Prudential Judgement and the death penalty" http://homicidesurvivors.com/2007/07/23/pope-john-paul-ii-his-death-penalty-errors.aspx "At the Death House Door" Can Rev. Carroll Pickett be trusted?" http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/01/30/fact-checking-is-very-welcome.aspx More topics upon request. There are lots of problesm with Sister Prejean and Dead Man Walking

1) This why I support the death penalty
http://justsnapd8.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/i-am-pro-life-and-pro-death-penalty/#comment-361

2) Angel on Death Row: An Interview with Detective Vernado in the case of Faith Hathaway
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/angel/interviews/mvarnado.html

3) “Dead Man Walking” & Sr. Helen Prejean: A Critical Review
From Dudley Sharp

” . . .makes you realize the Dead Man Walking truly belongs on the shelf in the library in the Fiction category.”

“Being devout Catholics, ‘the norm’ would be to look to the church for support and healing. Again, this need for spiritual stability was stolen by Sister Prejean.”

The Bourques, Victim Survivors, Dead Family Walking

“Sister Helen Prejean & the death penalty: A Critical Review”
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/05/04/sister-helen-prejean–the-death-penalty-a-critical-review.aspx

Other, related links

“Death Penalty Support: Christian & Secular Scholars”
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/07/death-penalty-support-modern-catholic.html

“The Death Penalty: Neither Hatred nor Revenge”
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/07/20/the-death-penalty-neither-hatred-nor-revenge.aspx

“The Death Penalty: More Protection for Innocents”
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/07/05/the-death-penalty-more-protection-for-innocents.aspx

“The Innocent Executed: Deception & Death Penalty Opponents”
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/10/08/the-innocent-executed-deception–death-penalty-opponents–draft.aspx

“Killing equals Killing: The Amoral Confusion of Death Penalty Opponents”
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/02/01/murder-and-execution–very-distinct-moral-differences–new-mexico.aspx

“The Death Penalty: Not a Human Rights Violation”
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2006/03/20/the-death-penalty-not-a-human-rights-violation.aspx

“Physicians & The State Execution of Murderers: No Ethical/Medical Dilemma”
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/10/physicians-state-execution-of-murderers.html

“Pope John Paul II: Prudential Judgement and the death penalty”
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2007/07/23/pope-john-paul-ii-his-death-penalty-errors.aspx

“At the Death House Door” Can Rev. Carroll Pickett be trusted?”
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/01/30/fact-checking-is-very-welcome.aspx

More topics upon request.

]]> Comment on Pics from Troy Davis Day of Solidarity by Antonio http://www.dallascandobetter.org/2010/07/pics-from-troy-davis-day-of-solidarity/comment-page-1/#comment-130 Antonio Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:11:20 +0000 http://www.dallascandobetter.org/?p=946#comment-130 Moral compasses should be now placed on alert! Are we such an advanced society now that we do not 'identify reality clearly portrayed in the mirror of our factual society'? Our justice system is not a justice system at all. To identify, that conversation Sally had with that guy brought into reality what is being executed today. ' A well practiced and accepted community systematic tool used to control the masses of economically challenged people- - - our injustice system in its purest form. In blatent terminology- constitutional apartheid. A judicial system in agreement with maligned legislature, egregiously implemented and practiced by the executive offices forming policy's economically classifying and segregating by the means of political organizations, legal systems, and economic structures discriminating against the economically challenged citizens of our society. The lie has been told far too long and accepted in our society- the majority rules...ABSOLUTELY NOT, IT IS THEY WHO ARE CORRUPTLY AFFLUENT THAT ABSOLUTELY RULES THE MAJORITY by the means of a judicial system with covert practices that cowardly hides its true purposes and intent of societal control. Moral compasses should be now placed on alert! Are we such an advanced society now that we do not ‘identify reality clearly portrayed in the mirror of our factual society’? Our justice system is not a justice system at all. To identify, that conversation Sally had with that guy brought into reality what is being executed today. ‘ A well practiced and accepted community systematic tool used to control the masses of economically challenged people- – - our injustice system in its purest form. In blatent terminology- constitutional apartheid. A judicial system in agreement with maligned legislature, egregiously implemented and practiced by the executive offices forming policy’s economically classifying and segregating by the means of political organizations, legal systems, and economic structures discriminating against the economically challenged citizens of our society. The lie has been told far too long and accepted in our society- the majority rules…ABSOLUTELY NOT, IT IS THEY WHO ARE CORRUPTLY AFFLUENT THAT ABSOLUTELY RULES THE MAJORITY by the means of a judicial system with covert practices that cowardly hides its true purposes and intent of societal control.

]]> Comment on Raymond Towler Freed After 30 years !!! by Yolanda242 http://www.dallascandobetter.org/2010/05/raymond-towler-freed-after-30-years/comment-page-1/#comment-129 Yolanda242 Sat, 08 May 2010 21:37:39 +0000 http://www.dallascandobetter.org/?p=903#comment-129 I am so happy for Mr. Towler!!! I live and Ohio this was all over the news! I am so happy for Mr. Towler!!! I live and Ohio this was all over the news!

]]> Comment on My First Visit To Benjamine Spencer by Carl C http://www.dallascandobetter.org/2010/03/my-first-visit/comment-page-1/#comment-128 Carl C Fri, 02 Apr 2010 22:22:28 +0000 http://www.dallascandobetter.org/blog2/?p=793#comment-128 I also felt the same way when I visited Ben. I have saw ben in many situations. I have seen him on the streets, in the Coffield Unit and back in Dallas. What impressed me is that with all of the struggles on the streets and behind bars, ben is still free. I spoke to him many years ago and he stated that people who are locked up still have to see someone living for God. So many pastors come and go and you never really see how they are at home. Ben has held strong to his faith and trust in God. I pray that we as citizens accept Gods teaching and follow his word. That way, he may just end Bens journey and bring him home. Ben is truly an example. The system knows he was wrongfully convicted and they need to finally admit it. It's alright to say that there was a mistake and everyone move on. As Nike put it, JUST DO IT! I also felt the same way when I visited Ben. I have saw ben in many situations. I have seen him on the streets, in the Coffield Unit and back in Dallas. What impressed me is that with all of the struggles on the streets and behind bars, ben is still free. I spoke to him many years ago and he stated that people who are locked up still have to see someone living for God. So many pastors come and go and you never really see how they are at home. Ben has held strong to his faith and trust in God. I pray that we as citizens accept Gods teaching and follow his word. That way, he may just end Bens journey and bring him home. Ben is truly an example. The system knows he was wrongfully convicted and they need to finally admit it. It’s alright to say that there was a mistake and everyone move on. As Nike put it, JUST DO IT!

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