2008 April 17 | Rowsey Blog

Restart the Death Chambers

April 17, 2008

I realize the title of this post is a bit sensationalist, but it got you to read more, didn’t it?  The Supreme Court of the United States just ruled that lethal injection is constitutional in the United States.  There has been a moratorium on death by lethal injection, but that can now be lifted.

In the Dispatch, Governor Ted Strickland stated:

Gov. Ted Strickland said he had not read the decision but noted that because the Kentucky and Ohio lethal-injection methods are similar, “You would think … that the legal outcome would be similar, as well.” The Democrat supports the death penalty.

What do you think about the death penalty?  It has traditionally been a hot button issue in our society.  Do you think that it actually works as a deterrent as intended?

Posted by Jason Rowsey | Filed Under Ohio Government, Politics, Social Causes, Ted Strickland | 4 Comments 

Strange Remark From Judge In Stalker Case

April 17, 2008

I just read a new Columbus Dispatch article, that really threw me for a loop.  A man was sentenced to 18 months in prison after having been found guilty of stalking TWO separate women.  According to Judge John P. Bessey, he won’t serve all of that time behind bars if he is a good boy in prison.

First of all, it is another glaring example of how we don’t value women enough in this society to actually protect them.  I guy can stalk to different women and look forward to spending less than 1.5 years in jail?  Do we just wait until a stalker rapes and kills until we actually really deal with the problem.  Very frustrating.

Secondly in the article, the judge states that:

“When you come back into the community, you will be my responsibilty,” Bessey said. “There are five reasons for sentencing someone to prison. The two most relevant in this case are the protection of the victims and the rehabilitation of the defendant.”

So if this guy were to re offend, is the judge going to be held responsible for the man’s behavior when he publicly stated so on the record?  Isn’t that odd?

When are we going to get serious and start trying to prevent crimes rather than deal with the situation after irreparable damage has been done?

Posted by Jason Rowsey | Filed Under Social Causes, columbus, ohio | 2 Comments 

Ohio Superintendent of Education On Her Way Out

April 17, 2008

According to the Columbus Dispatch, our state superintendent of public schools, Susan Zelman, is on her way out the door.  She has come under attack from the Strickland Administration for her unwillingness to work with the administration (i.e. give them what they want).

Gov. Ted Strickland has proposed a change to public education in the form of an Education Czar of Ohio, much like his right hand man, Eric Fingerhut.  His ultimate goal is to have more influence over Ohio’s public education system and to make the ceremonial figure head a member of his cabinet.  Thus, he would in effect have virtual total control.  He could dismiss the new czar at will.

According to the Dispatch:

Board President Jennifer Sheets told The Dispatch today that a small group of board members has met privately with the governor, and then with members of his staff, to discuss both his plan and his desire to have more input into the selection of a superintendent.

Several board members said that the panel remains opposed to Strickland’s plan for an education czar but is open to giving the governor input in selecting a new superintendent.

I know that as a blogger, I am supposed to have a clear cut position on this issue if I choose to write about it.  On top of that, I am an educator so I should know what I think.  But I am torn on this issue.  I do think that the governor and legislature should have more influence on public education to a certain degree.  However, I also like the idea of an autonomous entity looking out for the needs of the children of Ohio.  After all, doesn’t the government play a key role in education already through its powers of funding and creating new laws and mandates on our public schools?

Does Strickland really need even more power?
So I ask you, what do you think?

Posted by Jason Rowsey | Filed Under Education, Ohio Government, Politics, Ted Strickland, columbus | Leave a Comment