Mike Ramey
09-14-2002, 02:23 AM
$$Rich$$--Wanted to dedicate this one to you and your family in your time of loss. I too lost someone--a great fellow journalist--and his attacker recently won the right to new trial WHICH is not sitting well with me.
Here ya go, bro. Be strong!
EVER BEEN TO A CRIME SCENE?
I know that this column is going to anger more than a few readers--especially those of the ‘soft headed’ variety. However, it’s a risk worth taking. The truth is still the truth, no matter the cost or the consequences.
This is no less true when it comes to the issue of the death penalty.
Brothers, let’s be up front about this. Many of us tend to view victims of violent crimes as being ‘someone else’. We’ll ‘play the game’ of ‘feeling sorry’ for the person who ended the victim’s life, robbed their family of their presence, and robbed their children of a father or a mother.
That is, until the ‘victim’ is someone in our own household.
Or, in our extended family.
Or a co-worker.
Or a member of our church.
Or a member of our profession.
Then its ‘different’. WE scream out for justice, where we KNOW the victim.
Now, we have a face to go with the body. A life story that shouts out louder than the psychological, socioeconomic, or family upbringing of the young man, or young woman who took that person’s life.
A tangible representation of loss.
A body of evidence.
The stiff.
The toe-tag.
Like an old Homicide Detective said on a radio call-in show to an anti-capital punishment zealot: “I’ll go to your criminal’s execution--if you’ll go with me to my victim’s crime scene, autopsy, and funeral.”
The line went silent after that calm, cool comment.
The anti-capital punishment zealot had nothing to say.
THE SAME NOISES BEING MADE AGAIN:
Now, there are those who are starting to ‘make noises’ as to ‘how unfair’ it is that ‘many of our young men’ are behind bars. There are even those who want to see the ‘death penalty’ abolished.
Well, let’s take a trip back in time to the 1970s.
We tried that ‘grand experiment’ of doing away with the death penalty and going ‘soft’ on crime.
What was the result?
MORE violent crimes took place. So many of them that lawmakers and judges were literally BESIEGED with demands to bring back ‘hard time for hard crime’. Thus, more prisons were built; killers were executed; and crime victims were taken seriously when they went to the police.
Brothers, DON’T let the statistics and articles FOOL you! The same media community that wants judges to go ‘soft’ on those who ‘rape, rob and kill’ in YOUR neighborhood, will scream bloody murder if one of the ‘media darlings’ gets hurt or killed.
When it comes to crime, the criminal has the choice NOT to commit the crime.
A victim rarely HAS a choice at being a victim.
Who pleads THEIR case, when someone has a gun pointed at them--and pulls the trigger?
LOSS OF A FRIEND:
Within the past year, a friend of mine died from injuries suffered due to his being attacked on the doorstep of his home. The attacker got 40 to 60 years in prison. It was a case of BLACK ON BLACK crime.
I miss talking with my friend. So do many in my city, as he was a well-known, and well-respected newspaper columnist.
Sure, the attacker deserves to have his rights protected, and a fair trial and an impartial jury. However, when the gavel comes down…it STAYS down. But the loss will never be replaced.
He is GONE, and his attacker deserves punishment.
It’s just that simple.
And, IF the punishment fits the crime, the death penalty is reasonable punishment.
Yes, a life can’t replace a life.
But then, the convicted should have thought of that, BEFORE doing the crime!
EVER BEEN TO A CRIME SCENE?
For those who are against capital punishment, let’s take a trip to a crime scene.
I’ll go back to a few I have visited in order to give you a composite of some of the murders I have covered.
There lies the victim. Either dressed, undressed, or half-dressed. Blood is oozing out of the wounds inflicted by the assailant, or assailants. Yellow tape is being run around the crime scene by uniform officers. Video tape is being run and photographs are being taken by evidence technicians. Detectives are asking questions. The victim’s family is being notified, and the name of the victim has not been released.
By MY watch, the first hour is over. Several more to go, as the body can’t be moved until the Deputy Coroner gives the word. Heaven help your skills as a crime reporter if the victim is SOMEONE you know.
You file your reports for the next day’s edition, or newscast. Then the REAL work begins, after you report for work the next day. Checking on new leads and clues to your crime scene, coupled with other crime scenes from the previous day.
Or the previous week.
Or the previous month.
Or, in some cases, the previous decade.
Keep in mind, there are SOME murders that have YET to be solved.
CRIME SCENES STICK WITH YOU:
Yes, prison life is brutal. But so is life without a murdered friend.
Yes, executions are brutal. But so is life without a murdered spouse, or child.
Yes, our prisons are filling to capacity. But the rolls of crime victims continue to grow--especially among US.
If you have ever been to a crime scene, it is ONE experience that will always be with you. Because, you get to see DEATH up close and personal.
So, the next time someone ‘asks’ you to sign a petition, or wire your representative about how ‘unfair’ the prison system and the death penalty may be, just ask them a question: “Have YOU ever been to a crime scene?” I’m sure that there are family members of murdered crime victims who would love to talk about the reality of their loss, to those who haven’t got a clue as to the realities of crime. Especially a crime so heinous that the victim won’t be walking this earth, ever again.
No, don’t expect me to ‘feel sorry’ for those ‘locked up’ for crimes committed.
Yes, they DO deserve fair and humane treatment.
However, YES they must pay for what they did.
Sure, every once in a while, an innocent person may go to jail or prison.
But, every time an innocent victim is murdered, who speaks for them?
But, every time an innocent boy or girl is robbed of their innocence, who speaks for them? But, every time a spouse gets ‘that phone call’ that their beloved won’t be coming home because of a crime committed against them, WHO speaks for them?
The criminal justice system. From the jury to the prison guard.
Yes, forgiveness is a wonderful thing, and is something that should be practiced.
However, without consequences having to be paid for wrongs committed, forgiveness is turned into a pretty hollow practice.
So also, is our system of justice.
Mike Ramey is the author of THE MANHOOD LINE. A syndicated, monthly column for men, written from a biblical, business, and common sense perspective. Emails always welcome to manhood line@yahoo.com. ©2002 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications International. (15)
Here ya go, bro. Be strong!
EVER BEEN TO A CRIME SCENE?
I know that this column is going to anger more than a few readers--especially those of the ‘soft headed’ variety. However, it’s a risk worth taking. The truth is still the truth, no matter the cost or the consequences.
This is no less true when it comes to the issue of the death penalty.
Brothers, let’s be up front about this. Many of us tend to view victims of violent crimes as being ‘someone else’. We’ll ‘play the game’ of ‘feeling sorry’ for the person who ended the victim’s life, robbed their family of their presence, and robbed their children of a father or a mother.
That is, until the ‘victim’ is someone in our own household.
Or, in our extended family.
Or a co-worker.
Or a member of our church.
Or a member of our profession.
Then its ‘different’. WE scream out for justice, where we KNOW the victim.
Now, we have a face to go with the body. A life story that shouts out louder than the psychological, socioeconomic, or family upbringing of the young man, or young woman who took that person’s life.
A tangible representation of loss.
A body of evidence.
The stiff.
The toe-tag.
Like an old Homicide Detective said on a radio call-in show to an anti-capital punishment zealot: “I’ll go to your criminal’s execution--if you’ll go with me to my victim’s crime scene, autopsy, and funeral.”
The line went silent after that calm, cool comment.
The anti-capital punishment zealot had nothing to say.
THE SAME NOISES BEING MADE AGAIN:
Now, there are those who are starting to ‘make noises’ as to ‘how unfair’ it is that ‘many of our young men’ are behind bars. There are even those who want to see the ‘death penalty’ abolished.
Well, let’s take a trip back in time to the 1970s.
We tried that ‘grand experiment’ of doing away with the death penalty and going ‘soft’ on crime.
What was the result?
MORE violent crimes took place. So many of them that lawmakers and judges were literally BESIEGED with demands to bring back ‘hard time for hard crime’. Thus, more prisons were built; killers were executed; and crime victims were taken seriously when they went to the police.
Brothers, DON’T let the statistics and articles FOOL you! The same media community that wants judges to go ‘soft’ on those who ‘rape, rob and kill’ in YOUR neighborhood, will scream bloody murder if one of the ‘media darlings’ gets hurt or killed.
When it comes to crime, the criminal has the choice NOT to commit the crime.
A victim rarely HAS a choice at being a victim.
Who pleads THEIR case, when someone has a gun pointed at them--and pulls the trigger?
LOSS OF A FRIEND:
Within the past year, a friend of mine died from injuries suffered due to his being attacked on the doorstep of his home. The attacker got 40 to 60 years in prison. It was a case of BLACK ON BLACK crime.
I miss talking with my friend. So do many in my city, as he was a well-known, and well-respected newspaper columnist.
Sure, the attacker deserves to have his rights protected, and a fair trial and an impartial jury. However, when the gavel comes down…it STAYS down. But the loss will never be replaced.
He is GONE, and his attacker deserves punishment.
It’s just that simple.
And, IF the punishment fits the crime, the death penalty is reasonable punishment.
Yes, a life can’t replace a life.
But then, the convicted should have thought of that, BEFORE doing the crime!
EVER BEEN TO A CRIME SCENE?
For those who are against capital punishment, let’s take a trip to a crime scene.
I’ll go back to a few I have visited in order to give you a composite of some of the murders I have covered.
There lies the victim. Either dressed, undressed, or half-dressed. Blood is oozing out of the wounds inflicted by the assailant, or assailants. Yellow tape is being run around the crime scene by uniform officers. Video tape is being run and photographs are being taken by evidence technicians. Detectives are asking questions. The victim’s family is being notified, and the name of the victim has not been released.
By MY watch, the first hour is over. Several more to go, as the body can’t be moved until the Deputy Coroner gives the word. Heaven help your skills as a crime reporter if the victim is SOMEONE you know.
You file your reports for the next day’s edition, or newscast. Then the REAL work begins, after you report for work the next day. Checking on new leads and clues to your crime scene, coupled with other crime scenes from the previous day.
Or the previous week.
Or the previous month.
Or, in some cases, the previous decade.
Keep in mind, there are SOME murders that have YET to be solved.
CRIME SCENES STICK WITH YOU:
Yes, prison life is brutal. But so is life without a murdered friend.
Yes, executions are brutal. But so is life without a murdered spouse, or child.
Yes, our prisons are filling to capacity. But the rolls of crime victims continue to grow--especially among US.
If you have ever been to a crime scene, it is ONE experience that will always be with you. Because, you get to see DEATH up close and personal.
So, the next time someone ‘asks’ you to sign a petition, or wire your representative about how ‘unfair’ the prison system and the death penalty may be, just ask them a question: “Have YOU ever been to a crime scene?” I’m sure that there are family members of murdered crime victims who would love to talk about the reality of their loss, to those who haven’t got a clue as to the realities of crime. Especially a crime so heinous that the victim won’t be walking this earth, ever again.
No, don’t expect me to ‘feel sorry’ for those ‘locked up’ for crimes committed.
Yes, they DO deserve fair and humane treatment.
However, YES they must pay for what they did.
Sure, every once in a while, an innocent person may go to jail or prison.
But, every time an innocent victim is murdered, who speaks for them?
But, every time an innocent boy or girl is robbed of their innocence, who speaks for them? But, every time a spouse gets ‘that phone call’ that their beloved won’t be coming home because of a crime committed against them, WHO speaks for them?
The criminal justice system. From the jury to the prison guard.
Yes, forgiveness is a wonderful thing, and is something that should be practiced.
However, without consequences having to be paid for wrongs committed, forgiveness is turned into a pretty hollow practice.
So also, is our system of justice.
Mike Ramey is the author of THE MANHOOD LINE. A syndicated, monthly column for men, written from a biblical, business, and common sense perspective. Emails always welcome to manhood line@yahoo.com. ©2002 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications International. (15)