*Lt. Gov. of Texas David Dewhurst advocating Jessica's Law which incorporates a stricter punishment for child rapists*
In a 5-4 decision the Supreme Court ruled that Capital Punishment for convicted child rapists was unconstitutional under the 8th Amendment tenant of Cruel and Unusual Punishment.
Just Kennedy wrote the opinion for the majority stating that the use of Capital Punishment was: “not proportional for the rape of a child.” My question to Justice Kennedy is then, what IS proportional punishment for the rape of an innocent child? A slap on the wrist? A short prison stay followed by your name in a database full of other like minded perverts?
What is taken from these children can never be replaced. No amount of therapy will ever shake the memories of this act.
This particular piece of legislation was geared towards convicted serial rapists, not first time offenders.
Five states have allowed Capital Punishment for serial child rapists: South Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and Montana. Within the last 44 years no child rapist has been sentenced to death in any of these states. Liberals argue that this is clear evidence that the majority of Americans and courts do not want to see child rapists executed. The Louisiana Supreme Court says otherwise: “…short of 1st degree murder we can think of no other non-homicide crime more deserving.” The US Supreme Court overruled them stating: “The death penalty should not be expanded to instances where the victims life was not taken.” Again, it is my personal belief that what is taken from these children is enough to threaten whatever life they proceed to have. Additionally it should be pointed out that there are in fact already non-homicidal crimes that warrant the death penalty under the Constitution: Treason and Espionage…
But then again, that would wipe out half of our Congress and Senate. Gotta be careful with that one.
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2 comments:
So let me get this straight. This legislation is applicable only to repeat offenders, yet we're supposed to put these child rapists back in the same system that failed them the first time? Kennedy said that allowing the DP for child sex offenders was not consistent with the "national consensus." Perhaps next they will follow the national consensus on abortion and free speech (via killing the fairness doctrine).
Exactly, because apparently if you execute a serial child rapist, he will rise from the grave and continue doing it because REMEMBER: the Death Penalty is NOT a deterrent to crime.
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