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Another GOP red herring

by: Jay Lassiter

Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 01:27:22 PM EST

Why is the New Jersey GOP so desperate to reactivate the death penalty in this state? Just the other day, republican state legislators responded to the death penalty study panel's recommendations by bleating some nonsense about pedophiles and cop killers.

Today republican state Senator Gerald Cardinale took the bloodlust up a few notches when he made the suggestion that New Jersey's death penalty would be more effective if we followed the Iraqi model.

Courier Post:

"I was very impressed with the death penalty in Iraq being implemented in a very short time after it was imposed," Cardinale said, referring to the swift hanging of Saddam Hussein less than a week after his appeals were denied.

I'll let that sink in for a second.

All the news this week about the death penalty being repealed in this state has been heart warming. I mean, not only is it morally disgusting to execute anyone, but as a matter of public policy, capital punishment is completely ineffective. Not to mention costly. And most people seem to think it may soon be a thing of the past here in NJ.

According to the bio on his campaign website, Sen. Cardinale is a proud member of the Knights of Columbus. Which makes him Catholic. Which makes him a hypocrite. After all the Catholic Church is clear in its opposition to capital punishment.

So why is the NJGOP so hellbent on taking such a hardcore posture on this issue? I mean, where does this fit into the republican's much-vaunted "culture of life?"

Hypocritical and hysterical. It's the sad, sorry story of the New Jersey Republican party.

Jay Lassiter :: Another GOP red herring

Tags: sen. cardinale, new jersey, njadp, death penalty, (All Tags)

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Another GOP red herring | 7 comments

Its the morality buffet (0.00 / 0)

These so called "religious conservatives" make a living off of cherry picking morality, whatever regimen fits their political needs. That's true in NJ and of course mirrors the national GOP MO. Against abortion, for captial punishment. Against gay marriage, for invading Iraq.

by: westcoast @ Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 20:11:04 PM UTC

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Question (0.00 / 0)

I don't get a chance to read many NJ newspapers or opinion columns, on or off line, so I ask this from lack of knowledge:

Doesn't anyone do follow-up interviews with these people and ask the obvious?

Like, Sen. Cardinale, as you know, the RC Church opposes capital punishment. As a practicing RC, on what basis do you support the death penalty? Even snarkier, why do support the death penalty in defiance of your religion's principles?

Gimme that 'ole separation of church and state rag. But they haunted Kerry and FGS, McGreevey, when they supported a woman's right to choose.

On a less religious note, Ass. DeCroce, what evidence to you have to support your contention that the death penalty is a deterrent to crime?

I know, it was posted down thread that this is "red meat" bloviating with no basis in logic.

But shouldn't sombody ask, at least?

by: SmartyJones @ Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 20:30:05 PM UTC

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Religion and politics (0.00 / 0)

I wonder if Cardinale's priest intends to deny him Communion for so publicly rejecting Catholic teaching on the death penalty?

Maybe the Catholic Archbishop of Newark will issue a press release to remind Cardinale that he is being "objectively dishonest" and "should stop receiving Communion."

by: Jeff Gardner @ Fri Jan 05, 2007 at 15:47:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Let's ask (0.00 / 0)

Yes, they should be asked -- as Mario Cuomo and John Kerry and every other Catholic, pro-choice politician was forced answer questions.

by: Hank Kalet @ Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 20:50:33 PM UTC

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Apparently, The Hon. Mr. Cardinale... (0.00 / 0)

Follows closely the teachings of The Pope.

Except when he doesn't.

Do any of these people have an honest principle in their bodies?

The nom de plume has a long and distinguished history.

by: Tandalayo Scheisskopf @ Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 23:57:38 PM UTC

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my state senator (0.00 / 0)

unfortunately, i have the honor of being represented by this pig, we may have a democratic primary for this seat and i think we have a good chance of beating cardinale, aronsohn got 49% in the 39th district this year.

http://retiregarrett.blogspot.com http://democrats.georgetown.edu/blog

by: ahf8 @ Fri Jan 05, 2007 at 05:26:29 AM UTC

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Even better! (0.00 / 0)

The County Executive had even better results. He had the most votes in the 39th. He got more votes than Kean and Garrett. We can win this one!

by: jerzay @ Fri Jan 05, 2007 at 15:47:32 PM UTC

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Another GOP red herring | 7 comments