The Infamous Texas Death Penalty

For or against, everyone has an opinion and an argument of both sides of the proverbial barbed wire fence. One of the few things I like about Texas is the fact that it has the death penalty and is not afraid to use it. For me personally, I believe the hard core death row killers ought to experience the same death their victim’s endured, instead of a nice sleepy shot. I am positive that is a whole other blog.

What I want to discuss this time is the costs associated with the death penalty versus life sentences without parole and a new bill aimed at curtailing some of the expenses and possibly giving someone a better shot of not being wrongly convicted. Most people I know when asked, believe that it is bound to be cheaper to put an inmate to death rather than house and feed them for the rest of their lives. I have always thought the same as well, without considering the complete process the death penalty conviction involves. Several research sources have begun adding up the seemingly endless expenses that are occurring. Wow. It is adding up to be in upward of a million per case. Crazy, but due to allowable processes inmates are entitled to multiple appeals. Within that lies, paid expert witnesses, juries, prosecutors, paperwork processors, doctors, and consultants. The list is long and adds up very quick. So I read it costs 47.50 per day to house and feed an inmate. To make this even more real, a minimum wage employee makes 58.00 per 8 hour day before taxes. You do the math. With that said, I have no desire to feed, house and medicate a hard core, death penalty qualifying criminal for the rest of their lives. It seems so far to be a “no win” either way.

There is one bill in the works that finally makes some sense and seems to be aiming towards the right direction. The bill would require DNA testing before a death penalty trial begins. Not only does it have the potential to cut major expenses, it has the potential to help ensure we do not inadvertently sentence an innocent person. This could be huge since technology has advanced so far. May this help end the far too long processes, personnel and millions wastefully spent on someone that should suffer a similar fate as their victims instead of prolonging the time the inmate can kick back, be housed, fed and have access to health care. Some simple luxuries hard working people go without.

Hollywood In our Homes

Blue Dot Blues blogger MJ Samuelson, of Travis County Texas, February 25, 2013 blog is titled, "How Hollywood just won the political talking point war of the week". See the original blog here:  Hollywood to Texas and Beyond

Many people either grew up watching the Oscar awards or at a minimum know of it. They award each other, praise each other, and we watch intently each year. The author of this blog is not any different. He watches the Oscars simply for its entertainment value. He watches movies throughout the year to relax and take a break from our everyday world, he states he does politics for a living, and likes a reprieve  Like many of us he needs a break. Me personally, I watch it simply to see what they are wearing. I do not pay much attention to who actually wins the Oscar award or what any of them have to say.

No matter the reason people have for watching this event, Hollywood has managed to inundate this show, making it a personal political venue. Why? Maybe, because they can? Maybe because the viewers allow it? The author of this blog looks forward to the antics of Hollywood's infamous, not their political views. I am unsure why the actors and actresses political views matter in the first place. Hopefully the star-gazed, UNEDUCATED voters in our state are not swayed simply by someone that makes a living portraying someone or something they are not. I am sure no politicians pretend to be something they are not. Could the influence of Hollywood ever change us from a red state to a blue state? I overheard that conversation recently at work and that is why this blog interested me as a reader. Two of my favorite quotes in this blog are, "leave your politics at the door and wear a fabulous dress", and "Not everything has to be political". Well I guess the appearance of Michelle Obama squashes that one. That can be a whole other blog post itself. Seriously what do the Oscars have to do with her, except maybe Hollywood helped put her in her big White house? If in fact they did help put her in the White house, what influence do they have on the voters in our state?

The intended audience of this blog could be all of us. Those of us that want to be entertained for a few hours. Democrat or Republican, I have never known either to watch the Oscars for its political enlightenment. Everything has a time and a place. I agree.

In conclusion, what two topics have many of been told our whole lives? Avoid talking about politics and religion in certain settings. Maybe Hollywood could adopt that policy as well.