New Jersey Just Became A Little More Civilized

Three cheers to our neighbor across the Hudson! New Jersey is now the first official state to outlaw the death penalty. The punishment was restored in the U.S. thirty-one years ago, but now there is a small slice of the Eastern Seaboard where it no longer exists. Yes, I know the majority of Americans support capital punishment, but ultimately in my mind that tenets of Gandhi hold to be more persuasive than public opinion. That was one of the reasons that the Garden State passed this landmark bill.

From The Washington Post:

The repeal bill follows the recommendation of a state commission that reported in January that the death penalty "is inconsistent with evolving standards of decency." But equally persuasive to lawmakers was not saving lives but money -- it costs more to keep a prisoner indefinitely on death row than incarcerated for life.

The repeal movement in New Jersey gained ground this year despite solid public support in the state for capital punishment, and over the objections of death penalty supporters who accused lawmakers of rushing the issue through a lame-duck session before a new legislature is installed next year. "It's a rush to judgment" said Robert Blecker, a New York Law School professor and prominent death penalty advocate.

Richard C. Dieter, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center in Washington, hailed the New Jersey vote as "a first" but noted that it "is coming at a time when there is a reexamination of the death penalty going on." Dieter added, "It does give other legislatures the chance to say, 'Is this working in our state?' "

In fact, several states are considering abolishing the death penalty and others have done so by executive order or with an edict by the state's Supreme Court. New Jersey has seen this not only as promoting a civil society, but one that is fiscally prudent as well. If morals aren't enough for a politician, saving money is always something that can persuade as well. In addition, it also clears the courts of many appeals filed by death row inmates. Again, this is practical as well as morally correct.

Congrats to the New Jersey General Assembly and Governor Corzine.

New Jersey Going Green

New Jersey hosting one of the Live Earth concerts at the Meadowlands today to bring attention to the problem of climate change. The mood must be festive out there already, because Governor Corzine was in an extremely green mood yesterday when he enacted laws to curb greenhouse gas emissions. New Jersey is only the second state in the nation behind California to take such monumental action. Al Gore couldn't have been happier.

From WCBS-TV:

"From now on when I give my slideshow around the world I'm gonna include New Jersey," Gore said. Under the law, the state will have until 2020 to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent, and until 2050 to cut emissions by 80 percent. Power plants will have to become more efficient and cars will have to spew less carbon dioxide into the air. "It is the strongest global warming cap in the country," said Suzanne Leta Liou of Environment New Jersey.

No one has really said how New Jersey will do this exactly, but at least there is groundwork to build on. Perhaps Corzine can take some pointers from New York City's PlaNYC that has dozens of climate-saving ideas. Not only should Jersey being getting pointers, they should be a part of a growing chorus that demands the federal government do something about climate change. Too bad the current resident at the White House isn't bothering to listen.

New York Post Is A Disgrace

The daily paper is known for its flashy front pages, usually the font is 4 inches high and says something to get your attention, trying to separate itself from all of the other papers offered here in Manhattan. They also have a reputation for having a conservative bent (being owned by Rupert Murdoch certainly proves that) and going over the top for its reporting of certain local stories.

Saturday's paper was a perfect example of that bent and their penchant for going completely out of bounds. This time the editors showed their heartlessness by posting a picture of a crash test dummy with ICU patient Governor Jon Corzine. The big headline for the Governor was "BUCKLE HEAD." The NY Post has no shame and careless disregard for Corzine and his family. It is one thing to disagree with him on political issues, but to exhibit that type of callousness should be relegated to right wing hate sites.

Learning From Governor Corzine

The Governor of New Jersey is lucky to be alive right now. He had multiple broken bones including two particularly bad femur fractures that necessitated surgery. His lungs were affected as well and he needed a breathing tube. This is not fun to go through at all. His rehab will last months and this will probably affect him for the rest of his life. Almost all of it could have been reversed had he worn his seatbelt.

In New Jersey the ticket for not wearing one is a total of $46. In California I believe it is over $250. The state trooper sitting next to him in the front seat was probably wearing his and remained relatively unscathed. Seatbelts are serious business and for some reason many of us just shrug them off. I certainly did when I was younger.

Then one day a family friend of ours was driving his car and got into an accident. Due to the fact he wasn't wearing the belt, he was ejected out of his sunroof when the car lost control and suffered severe injuries. Like Jon Corzine he is lucky to be alive, but his life has been completely altered. This vibrant family man was rushed into many surgeries, nearly dying several times. Now years later he is still in rehab and only allowed out for special occassions if he is feeling up to it. Thankfully his family has stayed strong for him and so have his friends.

After learning about what happened to him I never forgot my seatbelt again. I hope for those of you out there that drive you buckle up, and not have to go through an ordeal or see a loved one go through something like Jon Corzine or my friend.