In a couple of weeks citizens in Wisconsin will be voting on two referendums. I’m voting NO on both.
One referendum is asking if the State should institute the death penalty for capital crimes with DNA evidence. Wisconsin hasn’t executed anyone for the past 150 years, and I certainly think we should keep it that way.
The death penalty has always struck me as being a tool of vengeance, which I believe is morally wrong.
The death penalty is not a deterrent. States with the death penalty have a higher incidence of murders per capita than states without.
The death penalty is not fair or equitable. In states with the death penalty, a higher number of poor and minority people are executed.
The death penalty is more costly. Death penalty trials spend considerably more tax-payer dollars than life-without-parole trials.
How many innocent people have been executed, only to be exonerated posthumously? With all the C.S.I. show’s on tv, DNA evidence has been high on the public’s radar. I believe it is a myth that DNA evidence is infallible.
My bottom line on this issue is I believe killing is wrong. If it is wrong for people to kill, it is also wrong for the state to kill.
The other referendum is the so-called Gay Marriage Amendment, asking to amend our state’s constitution with the following text:
Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state.
Not only would this amendment discriminate against same sex couples who want to marry, it also would discriminate against any unmarried couples (either straight or gay) who are seeking the rights and benefits that come with a civil union.
Advocates for this amendment have said it’s necessary to preserve the sanctity of marriage and foundation of the family. Frankly, their logic eludes me.
Hear, hear! I agree completely on both issues. The death penalty has made many mistakes in states that have it and since DNA evidence is not totally perfect mistakes could still happen. I feel too it seems like revenge.
We’ve been married long enough (56 years) to feel that we aren’t hurt by others wishes to marry and I feel those who wish to marry… gay or straight would be harmed by that amendment.
Hi Jon,
Yes I agree with you on both those issues of death penalty and gay marriage. In Minnesota I think we will be having the gay marriage issue to vote on also. I think it is also just a way to distract people from other issues. Here in Minnesota we will vote on whether we want instant run off voting. I will vote for that because that way you can vote for who you really want with out losing your vote. I could vote for the Green party canidate for Govenor Ken Pentel, which would be my first choice and then if he didn’t get enough votes my vote would go to the secound canidate of my choice which would be the democrat, Mike Hatch. As it is now I will be voting for the Democrat Mike Hatch who is my secound choice because I want to make sure that the Republican Tim Palenty does not get back in. He is horrible.
Sorry to hear about the neighbor kids in your driveway. I suppose you could always call 911 to complain but that is not always the best solution either.
Was your web site down for a while? I was not able to get it the last couple of times I checked in. it’s always good to see your photos.
I hope you kitchen is getting done like you want it.
Yeah, sorry about the down time folks. My hosting company was having some DNS issues. It must have been happening more than I realized.