Thanks, interesting link though I haven't clicked around enough to determine how biased the site is (as these things all too often are ;))

Another thought I had, we are one of the few "western" countries to still have the death penalty (or at least to use it). Though some may disdain this comparison by saying that we're not trying to impress Europe etc, there is something to be said for international standards.

I'm only familiar with Illinois, but there, the Appellate Defender handles appeals/death penalty cases. I can't even IMAGINE how much it costs to take a death penalty case up to the state supreme court -- they probably hire whores -- I mean expert witnesses -- all the time, etc.

A lot of this (right to counsel) varies from state to state (as does the death penalty). I am not exactly sure what the 6th Amendment itself requires, but I do know that obviously, its requires a base minimum which states build on.

In the great Commonwealth of VA (where I anxiously await bar results) ALL death penalty cases are automatically appealed to the VA Supreme Court, whether or not the defendant desires this or not, and thus the right to appellate counsel is a state right and the public will pay for an indigent's attorney.

Yeah, its obvious that most people here oppose the death penalty. However, I don't see myself switching sides unless there is a good alternative proposed. From talking to people it seems many switch because of the cruelty aspect, which probably will have little effect on me seeing as I'm an asshole. However, if there were a way to sufficiently punish offenders which was both efficient and loophole-free, I could see myself being for it.

Shiner-believe it or not, I mostly agree with you on this policy. Yes, there are holes and errors that need to be looked at and fixed but there are some cases that I really to not see the need to provide a roof and 3 meals a day to for life..........

I think that if ALL we provided was the room and 3 meals, I'd be happier. Mass murderers do not need more than that and the religious text of their choice (Mein Kampf is not an option) Weights, basketball courts, etc... are all expendable

Being a Texan I've always been pretty much for the death penatly. I had confidence in the system and when someone's guilty, in certain instances, I used to say "give'em the shot."

However, last summer, believe it or not it, was the Michael Jackson case that made me rethink my death penalty position- not going to a fairly liberal law school. When Michael- crazy man- Jackson was acquitted of molesting that little boy I knew that the U.S. criminal justice was MESSED UP! If his nutty behind was acquitted, I had to ask how many of the innocent were sentenced to die.

So now I still think the death penalty is appropriate in some cases, but I think to have a better chance of ensuring that only the guilty are sentenced to death that the death penalty should only be on the table when there is DNA evidence linking the accused to the crime.

Most states have appellate defenders as well as public (trial) defenders.

Plus, you have to remember that the state is defending all appeals, so there is always cost to the state.

For an autographed copy of my new book:
 

For an autographed copy of my new book:

http://www.anncoulter.com/cgi-local/welcome.cgi

Coulter has apparently talked about it recently, too:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/...n3358373.shtml

Wow.

I would strongly disagree with that. When republicans court the middle, they dilute their platform and alienate their conservative base. The most successful republicans, like Reagan, have been the most conservative, not the most centrist.

Yeah, this is just the latest. Here's the MSNBC story. Ann Coulter reminds me more of Fred Phelps than she does a person of God. There is a difference between politically incorrect and tactless - the things Ann Coulter says are vile...she's purposely insulting and offensive, which I do not find amusing. There are some things that just shouldn't be said because they're mean and ignorant just for the sake of being mean and ignorant.

Much of what Ann Coulter says is ill-informed. In this case her description of Christians as being "perfected Jews" is just ridiculous. Any true Christian knows that no one is perfect, and that includes Coulter.

Coulter draws fire over remarks about Jews

Conservative author offends CNBC host Donny Deutsch with comment

Conservative author Ann Coulter finds herself in the middle of a firestorm once again after remarks on a CNBC television show in which she said Jews need "to be perfected" and suggested the nation would be better off if it were all-Christian.

Appearing on "The Big Idea" with host Donny Deutsch on Monday, she said Christians were tolerant of racial diversity but that it "would be a lot easier" for Jews if they were to become Christians.

Deutsch, who described himself as a practicing Jew on the show, was clearly dismayed by the remarks, which he called "hateful" and "antisemitic," according to a transcript published on the Web by Editor and Publisher.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21257498/

ETA: let me also say that I hope that the media soon realizes that it's WRONG to give that woman a chance to go on TV and continue to spew her offensive and slanderous remarks toward widows, cancer victims, presidents, vice presidents, and the majority of the country for that matter. There are many more intelligent and thoughtful scholars in this country that I'd rather watch. Yet they've continued to invite her, knowing that she'll cause controversy and capture ratings...then they have the nerve to condemn her!

Ann Coulter check list:

Muslims - check
Liberals - Check
Arabs - check
Widows of 9/11 - Check
Jews - Check

surprise she hasn't gone after the Chinese yet.

I hate her, I always have and always will. Like PeppyGphiB said, the tv stations have some nerve to invite her on so she can spread her vile words and then when she does say something hateful (surprise, surprise) they criticize her like it's something new.

Don't buy her books, don't watch her on tv, or listen online/ on the radio. I don't think she'll ever fade into oblivion but I sure hope she would. :mad:

Can I just make an opinionated comment? I think Ann Coulter is a sociopath.