Governor Kitzhaber issues reprieve - calls for action on capital punishment

[LetzBeaFranque]

Truly bizzare. Gov Kid Slaughter cites do no harm as a Dr. for opposition to the death penality yet advocates abortion. This guy gets away with all kind of crap because he is a stud.

[chic0stix]

I didn't vote for capital punishment, so implying that those who voted, all voted for it is being disingenuous at best. Thank you Kitz, for being a real man and not allowing this sickness to continue in this state by being governor.

[missadele1960]

The people of Oregon voted on this issue. Mr. K's heart should go out to the victims--not to murders. Mr. K needs to move aside if he can't carry out the will of the people he has been hired to protect and respect.

[jjcatful]

another coward against the people..

[PortlandsTransport]

Kudos to the governor!

Right deicion.

[joujoudog]

John Kitzhaber for president!

Signed, a fan from Dallas, Texas



[carmelakins]

I know there are other governors in other states who are against the death penalty morally, but have not had the courage to stop executions. I hope you will be an inspiration to them, as you have been to me. I promise to work tirelessly to make sure that the death penalty is fully abolished in Oregon, to honor your leadership.

With unending admiration,

Carmela Hill-Burke, student at the University of Oregon

[carmelakins]

Dear Governor Kitzhaber,

I want to send you my deepest gratitude and highest admiration for your courageous stance on the death penalty in Oregon. Thank you for following your conscience and your oath as a doctor to do no harm. You are an inspiration and stand out to me as a hero among politicians; you have the courage to do what you know is right, rather than just doing the safest thing politically. You make me proud to be an Oregonian.

[telulysse]

Thank you, Mister Governor Kitzhaber,

By this decision, you do honor to the Human...

[lovesouthfrance]

Be respectful of a man who has made life or death decisions before as governor. Listen to what he is saying, before you judge.When I listen to this, I think he has put a lot of thought into his decision.He is showing mercy. Prison life is best punishment because if a person is later found out to be innocent, they can be exonerated.Why do you think some inmates ask for death? Because prison life is hell on earth.I think he is a very smart man and made a wise decision.Im impressed with this man.

[lovesouthfrance]

When I listen to this, I think he has put a lot of thought into his decision. I believe he realized that the system is failing the people, costing too much money. Life in prison is best because if a person

[chocofreak13]

@aaroncavanaugh2 But you don't have to live with the guilt of directly having been a factor in the death of this person. If you're the person who has to inject the lethal dose, it's different. Kitzhaber is playing a role--his inaction causes someone's death. It may seem different than killing them himself, but it's the same result. He didn't commute the sentences to life in prison, he made it so that during his term, there won't be blood on his hands. The next governor can carry it out.

[gsprating]

I sincerely hope and pray that none of these death row inmates figure out a way to work this "broken system" and get released and murder one if your loved ones. Only then will you realize that the death penelty is the best and only way to handle convicted murderers. I agree the system is broken, but your not up to the task to fix it are you Mr. Govenor?

[MichaelofPortland]

Go Doctor No!

The moral high road can be difficult. Glad to see you're up to the task.

[aaroncavanaugh2]

Hi, This is ridiculous. John Kitzhaber should pay for these criminals upkeep out of his own paycheck. If people murdered other people with premeditated actions they are like wild animals. The citizens want what is best for them. This is what a public servant serves "the community," not one person. By saying he alone will not allow people to die is playing God. I am a democrat. I voted for John Kitzhaber. I disagree with his decision.

[MichaelofPortland]

@aaroncavanaugh2 Life without parole is cheaper than death row. So you wish to give Governor Kitzhaber a bonus?

[aaroncavanaugh2]

@MichaelofPortland Hi Michael, Can you prove this? I would like to see the quantitative date. Thanks. God Bless. Aaron.

[MichaelofPortland]

@aaroncavanaugh2 It's part of Kitzhaber's video - he'd know.

[ohdebbieann]

“I refuse to be a part of this compromised and inequitable system any longer; and I will not allow further executions while I am governor.”

thank you so much.

[str8poolmatt]

eye for an eye----isnt that in the bible granny? if you kill someone, you should also be put to death. Kitz is a sissy

[cbdearth]

@str8poolmatt I think you should re-read your bible, sir.  You have it exactly backward.

[str8poolmatt]

@cbdearth

so i am mis-understanding this verse? Numbers 35:16..."But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death.

[SAOTOME666]

@str8poolmatt so you just like the other teabaggers are hiding behind the holy bible to justifiy the unjustifiable act of state spnsored murder you are a fucking disgrace

[SAOTOME666]

@str8poolmatt you are a useless faggot troll i hope you die mother fucker

[grannyt46]

Thank you Governor Kitzhaber. I also am morally opposed to the death penalty.  I don't believe the judgement of mankind to decide who should die and who shouldn't. From a religious point of view the only judgement that counts is that of God. I also believe that life in prison without possibility of parole to be a more extreme sentence in the long one. Killing a murderer does not bring the victims back to life.

[LastTryNoHeart]

@grannyt46 He's not halting the executions because he's morally against them. He's saying that he's halting executions because the prisoners get to choose when they die. Because when you're on death row in Oregon, you can appeal almost an unlimited amount of appeals. He would have commuted them to life in prison otherwise. But what he's saying is he'll execute them, just as long as oregon voters agree or disagree on them and spark a new vote since the last 1984 reinstatement.