Sign up for free e-mail alerts about breaking news, entertainment tips, daily recipes, sports teams or travel. Some council members acknowledged that Tuesday night's vote was somewhat unanticipated for a major city in a state that leads the nation in the number of executions. That's not a fight we need to get into.
Government is a collective body of individuals within a civilized society.
A government that kills, to me, is getting down in the gutter with the individual who committed a killing. Our system is not working. Mr. Ramirez cast his vote after an hourlong debate among council members and about 10 residents, who also were evenly split on the issue. Council member John Cook, who placed the item on the agenda, said the vote reflects public opinion on the death penalty. He said elected officials have a duty to let legislators know about constituents' views.