Tales from the West Texas Dust
[AN INTERVIEW WITH REP. CARL ISETT: PART II]
And now, we conclude our interview from last week with Rep. Carl Isett:
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Suite 101 (CRH): It may seem to some that a lot of focus has been put on the rights and needs of prisoners to the detriment of the concerns of victims, law enforcement officials, and the general public. What would you say to address this topic and their concerns?
Isett: I think we must be mindful that as people who have shown that they cannot or will not govern themselves, prisoners have forfeited many of their rights. The state now has to govern them.
101 (CRH): What do you feel will be the ultimate solutions to reducing and possibly eradicating ALL crime in Texas? What might be the best indicator that can determine if crime has been significantly decreased within the state?
Isett: As humans, we are sinners by nature. Given that sin nature, we will not eradicate all crime this side of the Second Coming. But strong families and churches are our best hope of reducing crime.
101 (CRH): What do you think the Legislators, the Governor, and the people of this state can do to bring the ultimate solutions and goals referred to in the previous question closer to reality? What about things they can't personally control directly and limitations put upon them that might hinder progress?
Isett: I think the best thing we as citizens can do is take action where we can make a difference. That will not happen unless we as individuals are willing to step out of our comfort zones and get involved--for instance, in the lives of troubled kids and troubled neighborhoods. We as individuals may not be able to do much about a railroad killer on the loose, but we can have a big impact on the kid next door.
101 (CRH): There has been a major swirl of publicity in the past few years around cases like Darlene Routier and the execution of Karla Faye Tucker. The cries from both sides in regards to capital punishment (especially in regards to the death penalty) can at times be extremely deafening. Where do you stand on this? Do you feel that harsh penalties like these are still productive deterrents to crime? Could more effective programs of rehabilitation be substituted--or is this means of punishment still necessary? Why/why not?
Isett: First, I do not consider the death penalty to be harsh for someone who slew her victims with an ax. But as for the deterremt question, whether or not the death penalty is a deterrent to crime (and I think it is), there are some crimes
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