Posted on 06/25/2008 3:14:42 PM PDT by Texas Federalist
On the heels of today's SCOTUS decision in Kennedy v. Louisiana barring the death penalty for sex offenders, Gov. Bobby Jindal released a statement calling the ruling an "affront to the people of Louisiana" - and what's more, vowing to do whatever possible to amend the state’s laws in order to maintain the death penalty for child rape.
But that's not all he did.
Today, Gov. Jindal signed the "Sex Offender Chemical Castration Bill," authorizing the castration of convicted sex offenders. They get a choice: physical or chemical. Oh, and they don't just get castrated and leave - they still have to serve out their sentence.
From the release:
SB 144 by Senators Nick Gautreaux, Amedee, Dorsey, Duplessis and Mount provides that on a first conviction of aggravated rape, forcible rape, second degree sexual battery, aggravated incest, molestation of a juvenile when the victim is under the age of 13, or an aggravated crime against nature, the court may sentence the offender to undergo chemical castration. On a second conviction of the above listed crimes, the court is required to sentence the offender to undergo chemical castration.
Gov. Jindal made it absolutely clear that signing this bill today was about more than just sending a no-tolerance message across his state: "I want to send the message loud and clear – to the Supreme Court of the United States and beyond – make no mistake about it, if anyone wants to molest children and commit sexual assaults on kids they should not do so here in Louisiana. Here, we will do everything in our power to protect our children and we will not rest until justice is won and we have fully punished those who harm them.”
More:
In the recently concluded regular session of the legislature, Governor Jindal also supported the passage of SB 143 to prohibit a sex offender from wearing a mask, hood or disguise during holiday events and from distributing candy or other gifts on Halloween to persons under eighteen years of age; SB 517 which provides for the lifetime registration of sex offenders; SB 510 to double the minimum sentence for computer-aided solicitation of a minor; HB 770 to prohibit the use text messaging by sex offenders; and SB 514 to increase the minimum sentence for the molestation of a juvenile by five-fold.
It seems clear Gov. Jindal wants sex offenders to have a very clear understanding of the new Louisiana: whatever you're going to try to do, don't do it here.
I was just discussing this issue. If a governor did this, he would have to answer to the President and the spineless commander in chief we have now would probably use the national guard to prevent the execution. In any event, an Obama administration would probably prosecute the man. The case to defy the Supreme Court is the habeas decision.
Jindal is not only Republican, but everything else we want for VEEP. This is our man.
The bill was sponsored by a Democrat.
Oh really?
By the way, are not ALL of the 4 sponsors of this bill Democrats - and does this list not include the Democrat responsible for the pay raise bill.
Curious why the Republicans in the House and Senate chose not to join in on this bill?
Probably because the SANE legislators don't think castrating is sufficient for such a violent crime. They probably think that the DEATH penalty is the actual appropriate penalty for such horrific crimes.
This is a STUPID bill.
NO, YOU GIVE US A BREAK. The average income in Louisiana is 2,000/month or about $24,000/year.
Those days are not over. Sen. Quinn tried a stealth repeal of the ethics reforms with SB543.
We have Republicans out there spending like crazy and making drunken sailors look good.
We have legislators seeking to pass bills for personal gain.
Catch a clue.
If you equate a pay raise with helping to protect children, you fall in the categaory of not sane.
And the death penalty was struck down, so this is the second best alternative. Chemical castration in ADDITION TO (see I can use capital letters for effect too) the normal jail sentence. Meanwhile Jindal has stated he will attempt to draft a death penalty bill that passes constitutional scrutiny. Yet because you favor a stricter punishment, you oppose this bill and would leave a more lenient penalty on the books. Insane.
I like the idea of taking these monsters out in the middle of nowhere, nailing their privates to an old tree stump and giving them a serated plastic butter knife as a way out. Oh, nevermind that would be cruel and unusual punishment. BTW, I was a victim of a violent crime 12 years ago (shot twice and left for dead during an armed robbery) so I guess I am just biased.
Big picture people. A small pay raise to get the legislature eating out of his hand so we can get more laws like this signed is a huge net gain.Alright. You and others are making some good points here. I'll back off on the pay-raise issue. Let's see what Jindal does from now on.
I agree that this sex-offender bill is a very good move on his part.
“Hmmmmmm ... lets just suppose for arguments sake the sex offender is female? I did not see that possibility addressed in what was posted, does the law have provisions for that situation?”
I have been thinking the same thing. How are they going to deal with female sex offenders?
“...and if the court has another opinion, “let them enforce it.”
Hey SCOTUS, how many armies do you have?
Bring it on.
or a butter knife...
Hope thwe chemical is ACID!
Jindal as VP would almost make me *want* to vote for McCain.
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