A Smart Move, Jon

“Today New Jersey is truly evolving,” Corzine said. “I believe society first must determine if its endorsement of violence begets violence, and if violence undermines our commitment to the sanctity of life. To these questions, I answer yes.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/17/nyregion/17cnd-jersey.html?hp

For the past few years, I've thought it was funny that the one piece of mail that keeps getting delivered to me at my parents' address is from the organization to begin a death penalty moratorium in New Jersey. I must have signed some kind of petition at some point. I do believe that life in prison without the possibility of parole should take the place of the death penalty sentence so often given out. Studies show that the DP has not been a significant deterrent for criminals and that it is more expensive to execute someone than it is to incarcerate them for life. And many people, from religious pro-lifers to parents of murdered children, have fought a long time to have this law changed in New Jersey. Today, Governor Jon Corzine repealed New Jersey's death penalty law (which hasn't been carried out since 1963 on a prisoner). I also find it noteworthy that it was moved through the state Senate and General Assembly within two weeks-- goes to show that legislation CAN be negotiated and put into action!