Gov. George Ryan of illinois for the Nobel Peace Prize?

[modest mouse]

Gov. Ryan, who leaves office within the week, has announced he will commute all 156 of Illinois' death sentences to life in prison.

Earlier this week Ryan freed four death row inmates who had been coerced into a confession.

Through his Governorship he has exposed the flaws in the death penalty process in Illinois, suspending the death sentence for the last 3 years.

There is talk that he will be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Thoughts?

 

[Thrillhouse]

It should be noted that Governor Ryan is a Republican. He was pro-death penalty when he took office, but started to change his mind after 13 death row inmates were found to be innocent.

The incoming governor, Democrat Rod Blagojevich, has criticized Ryan for his blanket commutation.


Edited to add: This almost makes up for the "Licenses for Bribes" scandal.

 

[modest mouse]

Thrillhouse,

The political parties involved have little bearing. But, yes, Ryan was not exactly anti-death penalty before revelations surfaced that more than a dozen innocent men were executed.

***

I like the mass commutation. Essentially he does two things: 1. Makes a point as to the degree of error in the current system, 2. Ends and imminent executions, allowing for what should be a thorough reexamination of the judicial killing process.

 

[Blackbich]

I have a friend in the Illinois prison system. Over the past 4 years or so, Illinois has been releasing inmates who were wrongly convicted and placed on death row. In fact, Illinois had placed a hold on executions because of the number of wrongly convicted death row inmates. I can't say I'm surprised by what Ryan's doing...he's leaving office and his predecessor (sp??) will have to deal with the fallout. My point, if there is one, is if he felt *so* strongly about flaws in the judicial system, why did he wait until right before he left office to do a something about it? This problem has been in the limelight for YEARS and he's just now doing something about it? Seems pretty suspicious to me and I wouldn't be surprised if we find out it was to draw attention away from something else.

On a personal note, I commend what he did as a human being. Our judicial system is the best in the world but it is flawed as it is run by...humans and we are flawed. I am for the death penalty in certain cases but I can't see where the possibility of killing innocent people outweighs doing the 'right' thing for justice. There has to be a better checks and balances system to ensure the wrong people aren't dying for crimes they didn't commit but I admit I would have no idea where to start.

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

Good post, blackbich.

He did it becomes of the realities of practical politics. The death penalty has great popular support and the public finds it much easier to sympathize with victims and their families than with convicted murderers. In any situation other than a lame-duck one, a governor would never do it because this kind of action would render him unable to effectively govern due to the incredible popular backlash it would create. He's hoping that his actions will be vindicated by history, not by popular support.

He must not have any further plans for political office because this would surely sink any chances of that.

 

[Thrillhouse]

He must not have any further plans for political office because this would surely sink any chances of that.

No, the corruption and scandals pretty much did in any future political aspirations he might have had.

 

[Blackbich]

No, the corruption and scandals pretty much did in any future political aspirations he might have had.

lol - well, yeah, there is that...

 

[medjay]

My point, if there is one, is if he felt *so* strongly about flaws in the judicial system, why did he wait until right before he left office to do a something about it? This problem has been in the limelight for YEARS and he's just now doing something about it?

To defend Ryan a bit, I think he did the best he could do. I'm not a politician but I'm pretty sure it's not that easy to get the ball rolling in cases like this. There may be plenty of good hearted folks out there attempting similar changes and yet their hands are tied by the system. That he was able to do anything at all is probably a major feat.

I was in bed sick, watching his whole speech yesterday afternoon and for the first time in my life I seemed to be listening to politician talking straight and from the heart. Kind of refreshing.

 

[modest mouse]

My point, if there is one, is if he felt *so* strongly about flaws in the judicial system, why did he wait until right before he left office to do a something about it? This problem has been in the limelight for YEARS and he's just now doing something about it? Seems pretty suspicious to me and I wouldn't be surprised if we find out it was to draw attention away from something else.

In addition to what Oliver offers below...

Ryan had place a moratorium on executions so he did act before this most recent action. Yes, its undertaken just as he leaves office but inmates were not being killed while he sat on his hands, so to speek.

He has been exceedingly vocal about the situation in Illinois regarding executions. Yes, he could have chose to enact the commutations earlier but while the timetable isnt perfect i like the moves regardless.

***

medjay,

I agree that Ryan appears to be acting from the heart. With something that legitimately bothers him. There is no doubt the system in Illinois needs to face tough scrutiny, perhaps his actions will facilitate that.

***

Less than a third of states do not kill people for crimes; HI, AK, ND, MN, IA, WI, MI, WV, DC, VT, MA, RI, ME.

 

[sexy-girl]

i don't know enough about the situation but i would say that anyone that could change the opinion about the death penalty in america would deserve the nobel peace prize


also a lot of past "winners" have actually won when they've been pushed down the road of peace ... it doesn't have to go just to individuals who are holier then jesus or something


i think it would send a wonderful message if someone who did change the death penalty in america won it ... but like i said i don't know enough about this situation to say if now is the right time for it

 

[Zamdrist]

Not surprising this is happening in Illinois, with the exception of Chicago, most of Illinois, especially southern Illinois is backward, rural country land. I've spent some time in southern Illinois so I'm not speaking out my ass here, namely Carbondale and Johnston City.

The fact that Illinois is having issues with it's death penalty program should not be a test case for the whole nation IMHO.

Murderous people should be put to death, we should most certainly rid this world of any people so deserving. Ironically these animals get more consideration than they ever gave to their victims.

Just importantly is to make sure innocent people are not convicted of murderous crimes either, and technology will lead the way there I'm sure, i.e. DNA.

 

[Don K Dyck]

Does the death penalty have a PLace in Punishment?

I have mixed emotions about the death penalty . . . after I read Grisham's The Chamber I found that I was against it . . . however here in Oz we have no death penalty but have had several murder cases like the Port Arthur massacre, the Leigh Leigh, Ebony Simpson, and three Hillgrove murders plus the notorious Virginia Morse case that easily sway my opinion back in favour, in those cases . . .

 

[Frimost]

You non Illinoisans have NO idea!
George Ryan is the most corrupt Governor our state has ever known!
MY god, the National News media makes me sick, so one sides.
ALL of George Ryan’s immediate underlings have been convicted of selling drivers licenses in a scam for campaign contributions.

But of course the talking heads don't mention this or the dozens of other investigations going on right now as we speak.

We will be indicted any week now, but they won't mention any of it to the rest of the country because the Death Penalty is a special Interest lobby and the liberal media is against capital punishment so they will not mention George Ryan’s corruptness and indictments in order to make him out to be some savior guardian angel.

Speaking of deaths what about that family in Wisconsin who slowly burned alive until dead in their minivan because a illegal immigrant was driving a unsafe truck that other cars yelled out to him was falling apart in English but since he only spoke and read Spanish he didn't know what they were saying as so the metal piece fell off onto the road puncturing the gas tank and exploding the mini van burning alive 6 girls, boys and parents inside. That trucker’s license was bought from George Ryan’s secretary of state office by the trucking company in exchange for campaign contributions even though they could not speak or read English and yet are operating 16wheel big rigs around on our city streets and highways!

huffff..

/rant off.

Geoge will be sent to prison soon, count on that.

 

[medjay]

Geoge will be sent to prison soon, count on that.

But at least he'll get preferential treatment from the inmates.

 

[Thrillhouse]

You non Illinoisans have NO idea!
George Ryan is the most corrupt Governor our state has ever known!
MY god, the National News media makes me sick, so one sides.
ALL of George Ryan’s immediate underlings have been convicted of selling drivers licenses in a scam for campaign contributions.

But of course the talking heads don't mention this or the dozens of other investigations going on right now as we speak.

We will be indicted any week now, but they won't mention any of it to the rest of the country because the Death Penalty is a special Interest lobby and the liberal media is against capital punishment so they will not mention George Ryan’s corruptness and indictments in order to make him out to be some savior guardian angel.

Speaking of deaths what about that family in Wisconsin who slowly burned alive until dead in their minivan because a illegal immigrant was driving a unsafe truck that other cars yelled out to him was falling apart in English but since he only spoke and read Spanish he didn't know what they were saying as so the metal piece fell off onto the road puncturing the gas tank and exploding the mini van burning alive 6 girls, boys and parents inside. That trucker’s license was bought from George Ryan’s secretary of state office by the trucking company in exchange for campaign contributions even though they could not speak or read English and yet are operating 16wheel big rigs around on our city streets and highways!

huffff..

/rant off.

Geoge will be sent to prison soon, count on that.

While the NATIONAL media has paid no attention to the "Licenses for Bribes" scandal (and, frankly, I can't imagine why they would), the local (Chicago) media certainly has. I've lived in this state for 4+ years, and the only mentions of Ryan on the local news are: licenses for bribes; death penalty moratorium. And that's about a 50:1 ratio, as the whole death penalty thing is pretty new.

BTW, wouldn't the "liberal media" criticize Ryan at every opportunity, as he is a Republican?

 

[Frimost]

BTW, wouldn't the "liberal media" criticize Ryan at every opportunity, as he is a Republican?

Oh...Let's see...
Pro Gun control..
Pro Abortion...
Anti Death Penalty..
Pro higher taxes...
Friends of democratic Mayor Daley..

Wow, that’s some kind of "Republican" isn't it? lol


Almost all the republicans hate him and most democrats love him, you do the math and figure it out.

He’s such a snake, if he believes so strongly in the democratic platform just switch parties and declare yourself a Democrat. But nooo, he prefers the wolf in sheep’s clothing method. What a sneaky coward he is. If your a democrat fine, be proud of it, don't play games with the voters though.

 

[JazzManJim]

There is talk that he will be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Thoughts?

I'd call him a shoo-in.

But I have absolutely no respect for the NPP Committee.

 

[Azwed]

Just importantly is to make sure innocent people are not convicted of murderous crimes either, and technology will lead the way there I'm sure, i.e. DNA.

Thats what people thought about fingerprints too but they were wrong.

Fingerprints are matched using a points system. Any fingerprint that matches another fingerprint by more then 8-9 points is considrered a strong match. Fingerprints that match 12 or more points is about as strong a match as you can get.

IL had a problem with one of the head people at their crime lab. She was acting as judge, jury and exicutioner by saying fingerprints that only matched 3-4 points were strong matches. She would give expert testimony saying that the fingerprint of the accused matched the fingerprints found at the scene but when only 3-4 points are found matching the correlation is not strong enough to be sure it is the same person.

She testified in dozens of cases and now all of those cases are susptect.

Everyone always thinks that technology will solve problems but in the end it is still people that make the choices or design the technology and people make mistakes.

 

[Thrillhouse]

Oh...Let's see...
Pro Gun control..
Pro Abortion...
Anti Death Penalty..
Pro higher taxes...
Friends of democratic Mayor Daley..

Wow, that’s some kind of "Republican" isn't it? lol


Almost all the republicans hate him and most democrats love him, you do the math and figure it out.

He’s such a snake, if he believes so strongly in the democratic platform just switch parties and declare yourself a Democrat. But nooo, he prefers the wolf in sheep’s clothing method. What a sneaky coward he is. If your a democrat fine, be proud of it, don't play games with the voters though.

He's not anti-death penalty. In his speech announcing the blanket commutation, he said he was doing it because the Illinois justice system is seriously flawed. He said nothing about having a change of heart or mind about the death penalty per se. Also, he is not pro-abortion; I doubt anyone is. The term is "pro-choice." "Pro-abortion" indicates you want everyone to have an abortion. "Pro-choice" indicates you believe that it is the woman's choice, not the government's.

 

[Basia]

In my book, the man needs to do more before he should even be CONSITERED for the Nobel Prize. Look at how much Jimmy Carter has done for the world, and how long it took for him to get it. Let him PROVE himself more before we start thnking about handing out awards.

 

[Thomas Paine]

Lyin' George Ryan, My Beloved Governor *

* until noon Monday.

Since I'm basking in the afterglow of the Philadelphia Eagles win tonight, I thought I'd make a rare appearance and offer a comment here.

The buzz about George Ryan being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize came about because some law professor at the University of Illinois made news yesterday by saying he would nominate him. They get a little crazy down in the cornpatch in the dead of winter.

George Ryan is a scumbag. He is a lifelong ward-heeling political animal who is so crooked they'll screw him into the ground when he dies. He leaves a trail of slime wherever he goes.

The aforementioned "licenses-for-bribes" scandal came about when he pressured state employees so hard to raise funds for his campaign when he was Secretary of State that they started selling CDL's to unqualified people and funneling the money back to his campaign. So far, it's brought federal indictments right up to his doorstep and, if you believe the rumors, he's next.

In the last few months of his lame-duck administration, prior to his becoming a champion of the oppressed, he's been busy giving protected state jobs to his buddies and pushing hard to get the state to buy an office building from another crony for something like three times its value.

Oh, and he was such a turd in the Republican punchbowl that not only did no GOP candidate in the state want to get within smelling distance of him in the last election, his party's candidate to replace him openly repudiated him. He is generally regarded as being singlehandedly responsible for Illinois, in the midst of November's nationwide Republican trend, electing its first Democratic governor in 30 years, along with 3 out of 4 constitutional officers and both houses of the legislature.

So, having said that, I'll also say that only Lyin' George knows what motivated his sudden compassion. The Land of Lincoln has had an abysmal record on the death penalty, with numerous cases being overturned, which led to his moratorium on carrying out executions. Prosecutors in this state, many of whom are ex-law school classmates of mine, are out only for convictions, not for justice -- probably moreso than in many other jurisdictions.

So, it's possible that Lyin' George commuted those sentences because he felt a wrong needed to be righted. It's equally possible that he did so in an effort to salvage his reputation, because right now he's somewhere between John Wayne Gacy and the Green Bay Packers in Illinois popularity polls.

Before anybody makes a hero or a Nobel laureate out of him, better consider the whole story. Me, I'm betting that the Nobel committee won't want to travel to a U.S. Federal pen to present the medal.

Peace out.

Go Birds!

 

[lavender]

I feel privileged.

Hi, TP.

 

[Lost Cause]

Since he'll be going to prison soon....

He's just trying to keep from getting raped right away, until he's ready. Actually, he'll probably be sentenced to a "country club" minimum security lock up. If you go into a prison seeking justice, all you'll find is "just us."

 

[Soblue]

He's no saint that's for sure. I think what he did was humanitarian for certain, but common sense really. Plus it looks like a grab for attention before he leaves office.

 

[Blackbich]

But at least he'll get preferential treatment from the inmates.

LMFAO!!!

I think it's a good thing that Ryan did but I think he did it for the positive attention he knows it's directing his way right now. As I said, these flaws have been in the public eye for a while but he's just now commuting death penalty sentences to life which he could have done after the first couple of people were released. Now, that being said...Illlinois isn't the only state with this problem, it's just the one that's in the limelight at the moment. The good thing about what's going on in Illinois is that it should force us to rethink our entire justice system and, hopefully, make some necessary changes.