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Rudy Giuliani on Crime and Punishment
This candidate has withdrawn from the election
"When you commit treason against the United States of America, particularly at a time when the U.S. is in peril of attack and further attack, I believe the death penalty is the appropriate remedy to consider."
'I have been in favor of the death penalty through all my time in law enforcement."
When Bill Simon, a top Giuliani advisor, was asked about Giuliani's position on a Hate Crime bill, he replied, "I think it's safe to say, having spoken with the Mayor about this type of issue that he believes these kind of matters are best left to the states. The doctrine of federalism. The 10th amendment says the federal government is the appropriate place to decide certain things. The state government , the local government is the appropriate place to decide other things...In this context, hate crime legislation I think the Mayor believes that it would fall in that context."
"Every hate crime is a crime against our City, since it strikes at the diversity upon which New York thrives," the Mayor said. "Over the last several years, the Police Department and the City's District Attorneys have made tremendous strides in reducing the incidence of hate crime. This initiative [a $5.2 million raise in funds for a hate crime investigation unit] will enable our City to make further progress toward eliminating crimes driven by hatred and ignorance, and it will encourage more victims to come forward."
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) Executive Director Keith Stroup is outraged. "What he's doing is arresting kids for smoking pot in the park. Giulani's campaign is based on busting as many pot smokers as possible," fumed Stroup. "It's the largest percentage increase in arrests I've ever seen. Incredible."
In focusing on toughening drug laws, Giuliani said he would focus on methamphetamine. Giuliani said he would boost funding for drug education and would toughen prosecution for those who sell drugs by applying federal penalties aimed at drug trafficking.
Associated Press: August 7, 2007
As President, Giuliani Will Have Zero Tolerance For Criminals Who Use Guns To Commit Crimes. Criminals who commit crimes with a gun must go to prison for the mandatory sentence. They must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law - 5-year sentences for violent or drug trafficking crimes committed with guns, and a mandatory additional 25 year sentence for each subsequent violent or drug trafficking crime committed with a gun.
The general rule must be established and it must be quickly learned in the streets that if you sell drugs and are convicted you will go to prison. We must make those who traffic in the destruction of human life realize that in exchange for big profits, they are taking a big risk.
"Drug treatment slots at Rikers Island have nearly quadrupled... and the New York City Department of Probation's treatment capacity is being dramatically expanded. And we are demanding that all treatment programs funded by the City get results. For instance, work must be included as a fundamental part of any drug treatment - because the most important part of successful rehabilitation from addiction is reintegrating recovering addicts into society so that they are able to take care of themselves and their families."
The general rule must be established and it must be quickly learned in the streets that if you sell drugs and are convicted you will go to prison. We must make those who traffic in the destruction of human life realize that in exchange for big profits, they are taking a big risk.