*frowns*

[conuly]

From an article on inmate voting in the Times...

"I just was horrified when I realized they could vote," said Mary Black Andrews, a state representative from York, Me., whose first husband was a Maine state trooper who was shot and killed in the line of duty. "I just don't think that they deserve that right if they've been convicted of a violent crime."

*blinks*

I'm sorry, please explain the logic. Somebody commits a violent crime and suddenly their ability to reason is horrifically impaired AND they have no stake in this country at all?

Moreover, rights aren't something you deserve or earn. They're something you get just by being there.

I'm not arguing about this, seriously. I'm sure people can come up with many more coherant arguments against inmate voting than how "horrified" you are. I'll just sit here and stew a while.

Comments

[precia.livejournal.com]

But yes, that person needs to learn how to do more than scream about how horrified she is.

Actually, Mary Black Andrews has spent much of her political career (she's been a state representative for as long as I can remember) championing this kind of cause. She's done a lot of work helping families who have suffered tragedies similar to the one she went through.

She's also been an instrumental advocate for many bills concerning felon's/victim's rights in Maine. I believe she's been working hard on this inmate voting issue since 2000 or so.

Aside from the current issue, and her less than persuasive quote, she's a damn good woman to have on your side if you have an issue that needs to be resolved.