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Tom McClintock on Crime2004 former Republican Challenger CA Governor |
McCLINTOCK: I’m the author of the current lethal injection death penalty. I support it wholeheartedly. It is the advent of DNA testing that should give us greater confidence in the legal process. And it is of utmost importance to the security of the law abiding people of this state to be protected from violent predators that is the primary responsibility of government.
After many years of rising crime rates, California’s government finally took the necessary steps to secure these rights. It adopted the so-called “three strikes law.” Californians have a fundamental right to defend themselves from violent predators; they have a fundamental right to draw a line after two serious and violent felonies. They have exercised that right, and the result is a society which is measurably safer and more secure.
Proponent's argument to vote Yes:Rep. JOHN CONYERS (D, MI-14):This bill expands existing Federal hate crimes law to groups who are well-known targets for bias-based violence--they are sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability. These crimes of violence are directed not just at those who are directly attacked; they are targeting the entire group with the threat of violence.
Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. LAMAR SMITH (R, TX-21): Every year thousands of violent crimes are committed out of hate, but just as many violent crimes, if not more, are motivated by something other than hate--greed, jealousy, desperation or revenge, just to name a few. An individual's motivation for committing a violent crime is usually complex and often speculative. Every violent crime is deplorable, regardless of its motivation. That's why all violent crimes should be vigorously prosecuted. Unfortunately, this bill undermines one of the most basic principles of our criminal justice system--equal justice for all. Under this bill, justice will no longer be equal. Justice will now depend on the race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or other protected status of the victim. It will allow different penalties to be imposed for the same crime. This is the real injustice.
