Monday, October 18, 2010

Mike Huckabee has a problem separating Church and State

The Seattle Times had an article in yesterday's paper that went into detail about Maurice Clemmpns and what lead up to Mike Huckabee, then Governor of Arkansas, granting him a computation.

What I found more interesting in the article, was the connection between Huckabee's religious belief system and the 1033 clemencies/pardons/commutations that he granted during his administration.

What I've done is selected highlights from the article that can be read in full HERE.

In 1999 Huckabee became the first Arkansas governor in nearly 30 years to stop an execution, sparing the life of a man who had murdered an 81-year-old farmer and stolen his truck. "I had rather face the anger of the people than the wrath of God," Huckabee said.

Huckabee called himself a "grace" Christian, not a "law" Christian, and what was clemency but an act of grace?

In his 10 ½ years as governor, starting in 1996, Mike Huckabee emerged as a political force, an ordained minister who could draw votes from across the political spectrum.

Clemency can be granted in two ways. A commutation reduces a sentence while preserving the conviction; a pardon strikes the conviction altogether.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette analyzed Huckabee's first 111 commutations and found that inmates stood a better chance if they fit one of four categories. The first upheld clemency's historic role: "The justice system has treated them more harshly than most." It was the other three that raised concerns:

  • "They know a person who has known the governor.
  • They worked at the Governor's Mansion.
  • A minister interceded for them."

During his tenure as Governor, Huckabee gave in to 1033 clemency requests. In 17 years his three predecessors approved 507 clemency requests. (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013170108_otherside18.html)

Here are a few of his less notable clemencies:

  • Eugene Fields, a wealthy developer and major GOP donor who had four DUI convictions
  • Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, for a reckless-driving conviction
  • two murderers who worked as trusties in Huckabee's home

If the above group is to lightweight for your taste, lets look at a few of his heavyweight clemencies:

Then there's David Huckabee (Junior) but that's another story.

I personally believe in the 3 branches of government. The judicial branch has their own laws and procedures in place to correct any mistakes that may have occurred in any convictions.

I guess that I hold the decisions of juries to a higher level than Mike Huckabee does. I don't believe a Governor has any business interfering with these decisions even if his state's laws gives him the right to. That's what appeals and retrials are all about. I believe it was the Baptist Minister In Huckabee that granted these clemencies/pardons/commutations.

When I consider the qualities that I want in a POTUS, I do want a man who believes in God, That's right, I could never support an atheist. Saying that, I also want a POTUS who can separate church from state and would not govern from a pulpit.I believe Mike Huckabee has a problem in this area and why his appeal is limited to those who want a POTUS to govern from a pulpit.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great post Bosman. I didn't know about the others

John

Anonymous said...

Wow, I didn't realize there was so much more to Huckabee and clemency.

cindy

Martha said...

Very well said, Bosman. I agree with you 100%.

Another thing. Huck has been less than honest in some of these matters, and made excuse after excuse.

BOSMAN said...

Thanks Martha.

This PROBLEM of Huckabee was pretty much hidden during the 2008 election. Unlike Romneycare, this topic was discussed by all and most folks have already made up their minds on it. Romney's high poll numbers, especially with moderates and independents, don't seem to show that Romneycare was a big deal.

BOSMAN said...

PS,

Martha,

Upload your avatar to your profile. You can sign in at the very top of the page to do this. I miss those flowers

Anonymous said...

Love the site Bosman. Have followed you over from ROS.

I agree with your points 100%. That's why we have the 3 branches of government. When a jury reaches a sentence it should take another jury to overturn it. Not a preacher posing as a Governor.

zeke

Revolution 2012 said...

You've got a lot of stuff here on Huckabee. I don't believe people realize how his bad decisions affected so many lives.

This alone, would keep him from winning the nomination if he decides to run.

Doug NYC GOP said...

Congrats Bosman,

You certianly rattled the cage over at ROS today - 110 comments!

They had to trot out the old Pro-Life issues to detour the topic. LAME.

Bill589 said...

I don’t like Huck anymore, but governing from the pulpit? - I don’t know. Having Judea/Christian values is a good thing. I think he has shown poor judgement with at least some of these clemencies, etc., but don’t necessarily think it’s governing from the pulpit. Maybe I’m just mostly arguing semantics.

Anonymous said...

Bill,

I can see where Bosman is coming from. If you read the whole original article (link in post), it's in Huckabees words amd rational for doing so many clemencies.

zeke