Apparently Maurice Clemmons (above), charged with recently murdering four police officers as they sat sipping coffee in Lakewood, Washington, was one of those granted clemency by then Governor Mike Huckabee (R) while he was governor of Arkansas. Already the blogosphere is calling this the end of Huckabee's presidential aspirations. I would have to agree. I don't see how one can spin this to anything other than what it is, a disaster for the public in general and those officers in particular. Huckabee seems like a rather nice man if you ever met him in person, but many of us realize (pragmatically) that there are truly bad people in this world that are better off incarerated from the general populace than given a 2nd chance before demonstrating that they have earned one. Also, certain crimes SHOULD have a mandatory-minimum sentencing guideline.
"On Monday, Huckabee again laid the blame on others. He talked about the case on his own radio show, and on Fox News radio. "If I could have known nine years ago, looked into the future, would I have acted favorably upon the parole board's recommendation? Of course not. One of the things that is horrible and just, again, one of the realities you have to confront is the criminal justice system is far from perfect, and in this case it failed miserably on all sides."
Here's the link to the cited article. It sounds too much like Huck is attempting to shift blame here. Any registered voters out there might keep in mind that Mitt Romney (R-MA) never pardoned a criminal during the time he was governor.
UPDATE: For those outside the US who are unfamiliar with who "Willie Horton" was, you can click here.
5 comments:
It would have made far more sense to conclude long ago that Huckabee didn't have a shot when he confessed to being anti-science.
I thought the guy didnt totally dismiss out-of-hand the possibility of Darwinian evolution playing at least some role in how we arrived at where we are today.
'Sup JD
Huckabee needs to own this. And your right, this will end his run for the White House. A small price to pay compared to the Cops' families.
I like Huck, but if this "disgrace" and political suicide of his makes others aware that letting these degenerates out on the streets isn't being noble or caring, it is being wreckless and irresponsible, then it's a good thing. Something got to change.
Dueces, feeno
There are lots of good people who aren't meant to be president. I think this just underscores that Huckabee is one of them. I'm reminded of Jimmy Carter (yes I recognize that he already WAS president). I admire him a whole bunch as a person and humanitarian, but think it was a poor president.
7 Mary 3..... was brilliant by the way.
Later, feen
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