Thanks for Commenting
Another pathetic Republican attempt to exploit tragedy politically. Sort of like the Republicans handled the death of Pat Tillman, isn't it?
This morning's Journal notes that, despite the alleged shooter's being on "the probation division's most intensive supervision program," he reported to his parole officer over a day after an arrest warrant had been issued for his detention for murder --- and was allowed to leave. A lot of fingerpointing is going on as I type about whether the probation officer should have checked the warrant database and whether the Sheriff's Dept. should have given more data directly to the probation team. This seems like a problem that could be solved by linking some computer databases set up during Republican Gary Johnson's administration.
The guy was put on probation in a parole hearing chaired by Tim Kline, a Republican retired Albuquerque cop and former City Council member who once served as the national head of CrimeStoppers International. Are we suggesting that he is a part of this ill-defined conspiracy to put murderers back on the streets?
They apparently traced the guy through his vehicle. Here's a question for Republican Sheriff Darren White: If they could do that after the fact, why didn't they check the motor vehicle records to serve the warrant before the killing occurred?
I totally agree that it's a cheap shot to blame the three Republicans listed above for this killing, but it makes as much sense as blaming Richardson.
Do you think that we should just keep building more and more prisons and give longer and longer sentences? Hell, we already have the highest percentage of incarcerated people in the world. It seems to me that the lesson from this killing is to beef up the parole division, not to eliminate it by almost never allowing parole (or, for that matter, "good time" reduction of sentences).
*****
May heavenly spirits usher Deputy McGrane into paradise and comfort his family and friends.
"Do you think that we should just keep building more and more prisons and give longer and longer sentences?"
If it means keeping guys like this behind bars, the answer is a resounding YES!
Define "guys like this."
From what I read, this man was put in prison for possession of drugs and a gun. He was sentenced to 11-1/2 years in 1998 and was released on parole in 2004. He committed what the parole board considered minor offenses, including talking with a known gang member (his brother). He was holding a job, came out clean on all his drug tests, and apparently had a strong support mechanism of family, church members, and friends.
Mario, obviously with 20/20 hindsight we can see that this parole had tragic results, but are you seriously suggesting that we deny parole to all drug offenders with this type of record? Would you care to estimate how much giving life sentences to all the drug offenders in this State would cost? Probably not, because you don't care. Like with the "terrorists," you will be willing to spend however many billions of dollars it takes to look like you're accomplishing your mission.
Consider what might have happened if this guy, instead of spending a half-decade in the State School for Gladiators, would have been diverted into an effective treatment program.
You're espousing a view that we must be increasingly brutal with anyone we don't like. That approach has proven to be both immoral and ineffective.
You know that clown sheriff over in Arizona that dresses his inmates in pink and feeds them green bologna? Guess how much better his recidivism rate is than the other correction centers in Arizona.
Give up? There is no difference in the recidivism rates. His brutality gains the community nothing.
But that kind of dick-swinging really feels good, doesn't it? Let's crack on Tim Kline as Richardson's tool. Let's frame every argument as the tough Republicans standing up to the wussy Democrats. Let's forget about how you're ineffective with that approach and just focus on how good it feels to listen to Rush and Sean and feel like our ballsy talent is on loan from God.
Your easy answers are becoming tiresome. Some of us would rather discuss real issues like this as if we were mature adults instead of testosterone-poisoned adolescents. Grow up.
Charlie, it's very nice of you to stand up for this murderer, and portray him as nothing more than a misguided former drug addict with a troubled family.
However, the truth is not quite so pretty. We're talking about a man who already has an oustanding warrant for another murder. Yes, I believe the simple solution is that "guys like this" belong behind bars forever. Actually, I take that back. "Guys like this" deserve capital punishment.
As far as your ad hominem attacks, you're off base. It's rare you'd find me listening to Rush and Sean - not because I have a problem with either - since I actually work during the day. And you'd really be amazed to learn what I listen to on the way to work in the morning.
I expect better from you Charlie.
I apologize for my off base ad hominem attack.
I think it's a cheap shot to suggest that I'm standing up for this guy when I note that there may be reasons he turned out this way.
Sorry to disappoint you, Mario, but I think we may be too far apart to reach each other. I started sharing my thoughts on a number of venues I don't generally agree with after my niece suggested that I should dialogue more with conservative folks.
Sadly these attempts at dialogue have been worthless because I am unable to have much empathy for people who, for whatever noble reasons they envision, espouse policies which increase the pain and suffering of millions. In turn, few of my friends on the right seem to be able to get past the trauma of 9/11 to conduct rational conversations about much of anything. Partisan bickering is what passes for political debate these days, and I get tired of that in a hurry.
Good luck with the blog, Mario.
wow. Some dumby kills a good officer.
Now people like you are trying to make the public believe that the Gov. had something to do with pulling the trigger . Talk about Yellow press
Charlie,
As a very close family member to "Jimmy" Deputy McGrane, and just having returned from Albuquerque for the burial of my most precious friend/little brother/cousin and any other close family title I can present to him, I find your comments very cold. Unlike the many strangers who lined the streets of Albuquerque as we passed, crying and morning over this good man, the same man that protects you when you sleep at night, you insult me. All of your fancy talk! Why don't you try to speak as everyone else does, from your heart, if you possess one. Consider yourself fortunate, because Astorga could have run into you that day. Let's see...who took a shot to his head for the community? YOUR QUOTE: Your easy answers are becoming tiresome. Some of us would rather discuss real issues like this as if we were mature adults instead of testosterone-poisoned adolescents. Grow up.
CharlieABQ | 03.24.06 - 1:45 pm |
What a sad shallow person you are. I would think you would look a little deeper into Astorga's past, because there is more than drugs and carrying a gun that put him in the category of being trash and scum on the streets of Albuquerque. I hope that you and your family remain safe from this scum because he is still on YOUR streets, or your backyard, or behind your bushes as you read this message.
I will pass this on to the rest of my family...It is people like you that give Albuquerque the cold uncaring reputation that it has carried for many years.
And what "real issues" would you rather discuss?
I hope you and your family remain safe from this garbage on your streets. What? He is out of prison why? Oh..thats right, he has evaded the law since his last killing!
This is my last post on this blog, but I want to apologize if my remarks troubled you (Diana/Georgia) in your time of trouble. It is certainly not my intent to be cold-hearted about anything, nor do I find that Albuquerque has a "cold uncaring reputation that it has carried for many years." I came through here several decades ago and decided that it was one of the friendliest spots I'd ever been, leading me to move here 14 years ago.
"All your fancy talk! Why don't you try to speak as everyone else does, from your heart, if you possess one. (sic)" Ma'am, I graduated from high school with a perfect 4.0, graduated from college with a 3.8, have been in both Mensa and the 999, and have an IQ last measured at 173. This may be "fancy talk" to you, but it's how I talk every day. And, yes, I possess a heart. And a brain and the nerve.
I understand that you think that, if it weren't for the police and the military, we'd all be murdered in our beds, and it would be insensitive of me to discuss whether or not that's true. So let's just leave it that I disagree with you. Believe what you want. I'm not required to confirm your notions, but in the interests of being compassionate I'm not going to challenge them right now, either.
I trust that your fear and anger are somewhat lessened by the fact that this guy is now in custody, having been captured last night in Juarez. I hope that this gives you some sense of closure, especially after he is sentenced to whatever he's going to get. You may not be satisfied with anything other than his death, but others in your position haven't found the execution of the murderer to give them as much satisfaction as they thought it would, either.
I meant no insult to you or your family, and I apologize for any offense I've given.
So what "real issues" would I prefer discussing besides the real issues of planning an effective corrections program instead of Mario's plan to just kill everyone whom we consider scum so that we won't have to worry about them when they come out? Oh, how about the fact that our current policies are destroying the middle class, ravaging the environment, degrading the military, increasing our actual risks, pandering to pharmaceutical companies instead of helping people with their health needs, trashing our reputation in the world, taking 1,000 old people off commodity distribution in New Mexico, taking thousands of children out of HeadStart in New Mexico, piddling around about establishing a fair minimum wage (assuming that you believe that there can be such a thing), tolerating corruption, treating the Republicans and the Democrats as anything other than two cheeks of the same butt, devastating the economy, and other items of import?
Instead, this blog is just about bashing Democrats and putting Republicans on a pedestal, and I really am tired of it. I apologize to all for upsetting you. I won't do it on this blog again.
Goodbye, and good lu
Charlie, I appreciate your input into this blog. Your post hit a nerve. So you learn from it and continue to post. Just my thoughts.
hilarious that charlie seems to think that his "mensa" and IQ are imortant to tell us about......the fact that he does bring it up shows what a very small person he is.
good ridence
Thank you George, I couldn't have put it any better.
By the way CHARLIE, I don't happen to be a supporter of the death penalty, but then again, I never had a "scum bag" murder, in cold blood, a very close member of my family. So you speak out of turn, when you imply that I support this type of penalty. I don't think my opinions reflect a political stance, they are my own personal and moral opinions. I apologize if this is strickly a political blog, I didn't realize that it was.
With the exception of the last few years my home was Albuquerque and I know the intensity of crime in the city. I also know the reputation of the city. I never said the community wasn't friendly. Being raised for 36 years in the city, I do know it well.
I must say also to everyone at this time, I thank you for your care, concern, food, and community support you have and continue to give my family. The community wept along with us, and we pray others will never experience this in their families. Thank you, thank you!
Mario, again I thank you, and will try to just be an observer of your blog, as I don't wish to "run" off those that possess an IQ value, GPA and education beyond the rest of the community. Mario, I do thank you for this blog. I passed on your website to my family before I left Albuquerque, and they will be reading comments as well. I do enjoy your site, and have observed it without comment for what seems to be a long time.
Enjoy, and I thank you for allowing me to post!
Commenting by HaloScan
