BuzzChatter Thursday: Koster defends execution

By STEVE KRASKE

April 24, 2014 7:00 AM

Good morning.

• “He showed his true character by ordering his 16-year-old son to kill Mrs. Lewis, all so they could steal two cows, soda, a VCR, and some jewelry.” — Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster in a statement explaining why the execution of William Rousan was justified for the 1993 murders of Graces and Charles Lewis. (link courtesy of johncombest.com).

Rousan’s execution made little news as sanctioned killings have become routine again. In a statement to the media, the son of the Lewises said the more than 20-year span from the murders to the execution was too long. He’s right. If we’re going to continue with capital punishment, and if the phrase “eye for an eye” means anything, then the wheels of justice need to spin more quickly.

• “You cannot reconcile denying access to health care with being Christian. It’s immoral.” — Jesse Jackson to the Post-Dispatch’s Kevin McDermott following a meeting with St. Louis religious leaders in which Jackson urged them to push for a Medicaid expansion in Missouri.

Jackson is walking a treacherous path when it comes to handing out morality points. Republicans would counter that it’s immoral to keep driving up the national debt. But Jackson’s comments also will serve as a rallying cry for Democrats. Missouri is one of 23 states has has refused to expand its Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act.

• “Would you call and tell my mom?” — Jeb Bush, reacting to applause at a New York charitable fundraiser after he said he was “thinking about running for president.”

This is the most vocal the Republican has been about his interests in the 2016 race. Bush’s mother, former first lady Barbara Bush, has said there have been enough Bushes in the White House.

• “Courageous.” — Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday reacting to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissent in a Michigan affirmative action case.

Sotomayor said in her opinion that the nation should not “wish away, rather than confront, the racial inequality that exists in our society. The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to speak openly and candidly on the subject of race.” Holder said the country had a ways to go to reach the goal of equal opportunity for all.

This story was originally published April 24, 2014 at 7:00 AM with the headline "BuzzChatter Thursday: Koster defends execution."

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