On February 14, 2010, the San Antonio Express News ran the following statement by Debra Medina, in which the GOP gubernatorial candidate for Texas called for a moratorium on the death penalty.
“Medina: Hold off on executions”
Debra Medina met with the Houston Chronicle editorial board Friday. Amid
discussion of a range of topics large and small, she called for a
moratorium on the state’s death penalty.
“I’m a supporter of the death penalty. I believe there are some crimes so
heinous that death is the only just punishment, and as aware as I am of
some of these ‘truther’ conspiracy theories, I’m also generally, vaguely
aware of a real unrest and unease in criminal justice.
“I’m uncomfortable enough with what’s going on to say, ‘I think we have to
have a moratorium on executions until we figure out whats going on in
criminal justice in Texas.’ I don’t have all the answers there, but Im at
least willing to say I think there’s enough questions being asked about
the process. Theres enough indication that something’s terribly wrong that
we ought not to be executing people until we get that figured out.”
“Debra Medina’s support for death penalty moratorium is worse than useless”
Somehow, Debra Medina, the toxic GOP candidate for governor, used her
empathy for 9/11 truthers to explain why she thinks there should be a
moratorium on executions in Texas.
The twisted logic here is hard to follow, but when you realize what she is
saying, it’s far more damaging to the cause of a moratorium than it is
helpful.
Essentially, she is saying that she believes there are some credible
doubts at the government’s ability to tell the truth . You know, sometimes
government prosecutors get it wrong on issues of justice, hence the need
for a moratorium on executions. And sometimes, White House officials who
are cozy with Israel and energy companies conspire to blow up the World
Trade Center. Um, no …
Not the same thing.
Not even close.
If the difference is not clear, let me explain: One is based in reality.
The other is based in deranged fiction.
Please, if you want to see a moratorium on executions so that the state
can scrutinize its process and reconsider whether is should have an
irreversible punishment in an inherently flawed system, then please,
please … just stop talking.