Pandering Perdue
Submitted by James on Wed, 12/16/2009 - 9:14am
NC newspapers are rightly taking the Governor to task for her blatant pandering to citizen fears over releasing prisoners who have earned reduced sentences through good conduct.
In Greensboro:
Perdue's poll ratings have climbed since she took up this cause in October. Her problem, though, is that she's appealing to emotions rather than reason. In fact, this issue shows that the courts are working exactly as they should -- rendering decisions based on law, not what's politically popular.
In Raleigh:
Perdue, as governor, is not just the state's First Politician. She's also the head of a government that includes the co-equal judicial branch, but she's acting as if respected judges have gone rogue. And last month she announced a plan to "comply" with court rulings that would have given the lifers in question an "earliest unconditional release date" of 2054. Some compliance. The governor needs to do her full job, which includes upholding respect for the justice system.
- James's blog
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Rule of Law
I like the tag you gave this post, James.
Perdue really seems to be stretching on this point. I tried to explain this issue to my in-laws over Thanksgiving. The law is the law. It may be a bad law and if Perdue feels it is she should be championing a change to that law and get it done ASAP.
I think the law is already changed
What Perdue is doing here is revisionist lawmaking - trying to go back in history to change a law that was properly followed at the time because she doesn't like it now. It's understandable that she'd want to improve her polling numbers, but this kind of strident posturing sets a horrible example for young and old alike when it comes to managing a civilized society.
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The State Bar is not an ordinary plaintiff.
Perdue is right and wrong on this
The law is a bad law, and should be changed to require that early releases under any circumstances are subject to review by the parole board. But the Governor cannot apply the law as she wants it to be.
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Be strong enough to carry your own burdens; be compassionate enough to help others carry theirs.