The Libertarian blogosphere is all abuzz today with our latest endorser: Dr. Ron Paul. Read what he had to say about Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty and then vote “yes” in this online poll to help demonstrate that Conservatives and Libertarians are rethinking the death penalty.
Dr. Paul’s statement against the death penalty is the latest in a string of Conservative individuals, organizations, and media that continue to increase their involvement in our cause. The timing couldn’t be more urgent for this tidal wave of Conservative concern – read on to see why.
Questionable executions, questionable laws
Last month the State of Georgia tried to execute Warren Hill even though 7 out of 7 medical professionals who examined him found that he was intellectually disabled. It is unconstitutional to execute a “mentally retarded” person according to the United States Supreme Court.
To make matters worse, it is a state secret where the State of Georgia gets their lethal injection drugs and what the drugs actually are. Talk about government power and lack of transparency. This questionable law led to a stay of execution for Warren Hill. I spoke about Warren Hill’s case on Chattanooga’s talk radio 102.3.
I also spoke on the Jeanne Bonds’ radio show in Raleigh, North Carolina this summer. North Carolina repealed the Racial Justice Act and intends on resuming executions, which had been temporarily halted. Steve Monks, former Durham County, North Carolina GOP Chairman, also penned an op-ed discussing why the North Carolina General Assembly should repeal the death penalty instead of trying to fix it.
Conservatives Concerned hits the road
Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty was present at the National Federation of Young Republicans National Convention in Mobile, AL and at the Young Americans for Liberty National Convention in Arlington, VA. We found that across the conservative and libertarian spectrum there is overwhelming support for our work. Many supporters asked to start local CCATDP chapters around the nation. We already know of several local CCATDP groups that are just starting to form, and we’ll keep you posted as they become official.
Our supporters in the media
Recently, Catholic Vote, a conservative Catholic political organization, published a call by Mike Janocik, one of our founding members, for Catholics to unite in their opposition to the death penalty. Two of our staff members were featured in the Life Matters Journal talking about how the death penalty doesn’t fit into a consistent life ethic.
Pat Monks, a Texas conservative and Republican precinct chairman, was featured in the Daily Caller as he outlined why capital punishment is inconsistent with his conservative values after Texas carried out its 500th execution. Mr. Monks is also one of our founding supporters, and if you’re wondering why his name sounds familiar, it’s because the Steve Monks I mentioned above is his brother. Earlier this summer, the Chattanooga Times Free Press published an article I wrote detailing my experience at the Tennessee capitol as I spoke to legislators about all of the death penalty’s problems.
Take action
Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty is putting our issue in Conservative media every day. Each of those stories needs people like you to log on and write comments to make it clear that blind conservative support for the death penalty is a myth.
The latest round of stories is on Ron Paul’s endorsement. Please make a comment at Reason and Politix. And ask your friends to vote in the Politix poll by sharing these links on social media:
Tweet this: Ron Paul comes out against capital punishment. I agree. If you agree too, vote yes here. http://po.st/ufDwqO @TopixPolitix @ccatdp
Post to Facebook: Ron Paul comes out against capital punishment. I agree with him. If you do too, vote yes in this online poll and show that Conservatives are starting to question the death penalty. http://po.st/ufDwqO
