The Last Refuge

Gov. Bill Richardson has just  signed a bill banning death penalty in New Mexico to hosannas and praise from the ACLU, Jimmy Carter and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. 

I believe the last governor to "ban" the death penalty was former Illinois governor George Ryan who also won praise from the same liberal precincts as Richardson. By a crazy coincidence, Ryan was the subject of a corruption probe (in Illinois?!) which eventually led him to prison.

I hope New Mexicans appreciate their Gov's gesture.