Typical Jodi Rell Vetoes Death Penalty Bill

Well, we knew it was coming. Governor Rell vetoed the death penalty abolition bill recently passed by the legislature. Here's some of Rell's statement:

I believe that the current law is workable and effective, and I would propose that it not be changed.

What an absurd thing to say. I cannot possibly imagine how a death penalty law which does not actually give anyone the death penalty is either workable or effective.

I also take note of the concerns expressed by some regarding the tremendous financial cost to the state, the perception that the death penalty is inconsistently sought for certain crimes, the lengthy appellate process that is involved and the roles that race, gender, and economics play when seeking the death penalty.

So by "taking note" of all these problems, Rell is able to make them all go away?

These very questions, and more, were the basis of a death penalty study commissioned by P.A. 01-151 and analyzed in a comprehensive report submitted to the Legislature on 01.08.03. The report made significant and thoughtful recommendations that have been largely ignored by the Legislature...

Once again, as with so many other issues, Rell shirks responsibility from a serious issue and blames the state legislature for our state's problems. Leadership in action.

Amnesty International gets a couple of good lines into the Hartford Courant:

"Gov. Rell's veto of this legislation represents a missed opportunity for the state of Connecticut to extricate itself from the useless and costly boondoggle that is capital punishment. Any other policy that wasted valuable taxpayer dollars without reducing crime or making anyone safer would have been eliminated without hesitation."

A sad day for our state. It's too bad that Rell lacks the vision to see the reality of capital punishment.