I think you are confused JohnQ1, what makes you think that the commuted sentence of Clemmons was foolish? Remember, Governor Huckabee could not have known this would happen in the future. The presiding judge, the 5 person prison panel all recommended a commuted sentence. So, what can you point to from that place in time that made that a foolish decision? Obviously, you cannot and that is what I mean about you being confused. You want to apply what has happened nine years in the future to that decision made with the set of facts so many years before.
You should reconsider your philosophy on compassion...especially Christian morality. One cannot defeat evil without it. That doesn’t mean we do not punish people for wrong doing, but it does mean we offer most opportunity to change their lives. I am all for capital punishment and hard time, but am also for being reasonable and for allowing criminals the ability to rehabilitate themselves. My God JohnQ1 do you realize how many new laws will very likely be enacted in the next few years that will make many more citizens criminals? Think this stuff through friend!
From a posting today:
Huckabee’s astounding record of leniency on felons:
—1,103 total clemenices in 10 1/2 years as Arkansas Governor
—Almost 1 out of every 10 criminals who asked for clemency received it
—At least 9% of those who received clemency were later convicted and sentenced for new felonies
—12 murderers received reduced sentences
—His 1,103 clemencies were more than double Huckabee’s three predecessors combined
—10 times more commutations for convicts than Bill Clinton
—The 1,103 clemencies surpassed Arkansas’ six neighboring states combined
—All those neighboring states had much larger prison populations than Arkansas
Now go sell your soft soap somewhere else!