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A Florida Republican Senator says executions aren't about guilt or innocence, but about "timely justice"

The Florida Senate recently passed the "Timely Justice Act," which attempts to speed up the execution process on Death Row inmates, even at the risk of bypassing DNA results that could showcase the inmate's innocence. Republican Governor Rick Scott is expected to sign the bill into law.

Arthenia Joyner, a Democratic Tampa attorney who voted against this bill, said, "Is swift justice fair justice? We have seen cases where, years later, convicted people were exonerated."

Senator Maria Sachs, another Democratic attorney, echoed Ms. Joyner's sentiments, saying, "I don't see the reason for swiftness, especially with DNA evidence that can exonerate."

What was Republican Senator Rob Bradley's response to such statements? I'll allow him to tell you himself. Bradley countered these before-mentioned arguments by saying, "This is not about guilt or innocence, it's about timely justice."

That has to be one of the dumbest statements I've read for a while. It's not about guilt or innocence? It's about timely justice? Really? How in the world can it be justice, timely or otherwise, if an innocent person is killed?

I can imagine Senator Bradley engaging in the following discussion with a Critical Thinking professor:

Professor Gene Witty: "So, you executed Forrest Woods last week, eh?"

Senator Rob Bradley: "We sure did!"

Witty: "You do realize his DNA results just came back and he was found innocent, right?"

Bradley: "Oh well. At least the process was quicker and cheaper than usual!"

Witty: "But he didn't do anything..."

Bradley: "Yeah, well, you win some and you lose some."

Witty: "He had a wife and three kids..."

Bradley: "Yeah, I kind of feel bad for them, but hey, that's life - you've gotta move on!"

Witty: "...and the killer is still out there..."

Bradley: "Yeah, I know. Professor Witty, this isn't about guilt or innocence. It's about timely justice, and that's what we got when we executed Mr. Woods - timely justice; justice that was timely."

Witty: "So, your view of justice is killing an innocent man with a wife and three kids, while allowing the killer to continue walking the streets? That's justice to you?"

Bradley: "Not just justice, timely justice!"

Witty: "I think it'd be timely justice if you were voted out of office tomorrow."

Bradley: "Say what? I didn't kill anyone."

Witty: "You voted to speed up this process which resulted in the killing of an innocent person, so yes, you indirectly did kill someone."

Bradley: "Yep - timely justice!"

Witty: "Whatever..."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/29/us-usa-florida-deathpenalty-idUSBRE93S0UT20130429?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews
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