Police officers comfort outside coffee shop in a Seattle suburb where four cops were shot dead. (NY Daily News)
The Seattle area was rocked Sunday morning by the slaying of four Lakewood, WA, police officers as they sat at a coffee shop in what's being called a "targeted, selective ambush."
Witnesses say the gunman came into the coffee shop, stood silently at the counter, then opened his coat to turn and fire at the officers.
Lakewood Police officers slain in today's shooting are shown left to right: Mark Renninger, Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens and Greg Richards. (Seattle Times)
Police have named a "person of interest": 37-year-old Maurice Clemmons, of Tacoma, who has a long criminal record, says the Seattle Times, punctuated by violence, erratic behavior and concerns about his mental health.
Nine years ago, then-Arkansas Gov Mike Huckabee granted clemency to Clemmons, commuting his 60-year prison sentence over the protests of prosecutors. At the time, Huckabee commuted Clemmons' sentence, citing the felon's young age (17) at the time he committed his crimes.
Clemmons (Arkansas Press-Democrat)
It's a sad reality that the horror of a shooting like this will be shouldered aside by all the usual suspects who will politicize it, and none of those politicized comments will be an honest assessment; they'll just be pathetic attempts to score one for their home team (and frankly, both teams suck).
Had this guy been granted clemency by a Democrat, Fox News would've driven their coverage accordingly, and yet, not a mention of Huckabee as of 10:30pm Sunday night. When it does finally get mention (because it will be unavoidable), the commentators there will dismiss it as an unfortunate and tragic error in judgment by the once-governor.
And they'll be right. The governor made a judgment call based on the input made available to him at the time. After a story like Sunday morning's cop killings, it's easy to say he was wrong in his decision, but that decision looked an awful different nine years ago than it does through the hindsight of today.
Some liberals will be quick to bag on the governor and on conservatives. You can just hear the snarky comment, "I thought Republicans were supposed to be tough on crime." Others will be sticking a fork in Huckabee's hopes for a 2012 presidential run. Imagine the avalanche of comments had it been a certain governor from Alaska who commuted the sentence.
Had this guy been granted clemency by a Democrat, Fox News would've driven their coverage accordingly, and yet, not a mention of Huckabee as of 10:30pm Sunday night. When it does finally get mention (because it will be unavoidable), the commentators there will dismiss it as an unfortunate and tragic error in judgment by the once-governor.
And they'll be right. The governor made a judgment call based on the input made available to him at the time. After a story like Sunday morning's cop killings, it's easy to say he was wrong in his decision, but that decision looked an awful different nine years ago than it does through the hindsight of today.
Some liberals will be quick to bag on the governor and on conservatives. You can just hear the snarky comment, "I thought Republicans were supposed to be tough on crime." Others will be sticking a fork in Huckabee's hopes for a 2012 presidential run. Imagine the avalanche of comments had it been a certain governor from Alaska who commuted the sentence.
On the other hand, would the same GOP base that might give Huckabee more leeway give no quarter to a Democrat in a similar situation? And would the Democratic base that might be jumping all over Huckabee tend to be more forgiving of a Democrat in a similar situation.
That's the problem with ideologues: They're as hypocritical as they are ideological, and equally blind to both.
That's the problem with ideologues: They're as hypocritical as they are ideological, and equally blind to both.
Know who won't be be politicizing this event? The suriviving family members of the four slain officers. We might want to keep that in mind before reaching for tired, petty political arguments. They have no place here.
Comments
You incorrectly stated the clemency grant as occurring nine years ago as opposed to nineteen.
This is Huckabee's Willie Horton moment. Possibly a bit of karms for the Republican party. Roger Ailes, who gave Huckabee his TV show, was one of the creators of the famed Willie Horton attack ad that ended Duckasis' presidential run.
So yeah, of course Democrats are going to stick it to Huckabee.
Do the math jb...clemency was granted NINE years ago
jb - Either way he WAS serving 95 years. I'll never watch his show again. This just makes me sick. The same for the judge too, why would anyone let this man out on bail.
Nine years is correct. It was actually in 2000. The crime itself was around 1990. Huckabee was not governor in 1990 because Clinton was.
Stick it to him? Looks like Huckabee stuck it to the law abiding citizens of the country.
No surprise here another animal loose on the street who should have been under lock and key. Huckabee believe or not isn't a contender for 2012 anyhow but as a conservative-INDEPENDENT I'll be more than willing to place the blame squarely on his shoulders for letting this piece of s**t walk.
I wonder if we shouldn't be asking the question: How many felons didn't re-offend because then Governor Huckabee didn't grant clemency?
I'd like to see this turds record since Huckabee granted him clemency nine years ago, maybe along with Huckabee some people in Washington state need to shoulder the blame.
all over for the Gov. back to Ark.
No Surprise Here says: "I'd like to see this turds record since Huckabee granted him clemency nine years ago..."
Exactly. Everybody is so quick to place the blame on the patently obvious. It's not that easy... or fair. Maybe we should also be asking about how poorly we deal with the mentally ill. Clearly, this guy had mental issues before he gunned down four cops. Years ago, such a person might've been locked up in an insane asylum instead of a state prison. Now we don't even call them insane asylums, do we?
This will, hopefully, give pause to every governor and state legislator who may be considering early release of convicted felons due to budget constraints.
DRH says: This will, hopefully, give pause to every governor and state legislator who may be considering early release of convicted felons due to budget constraints.
AND, DRH, insure that petty offenders (like the pot smoker) don't get locked up with the serious criminals. AND that illegal immigrants get deported instead of jailed in state prisons. California suffers from both these problems.
No Surprise Here says: "I'd like to see this turds record since Huckabee granted him clemency nine years ago..."
Here's your answer: 5 felony convictions in Arkansas, for which he was jailed. Since 2000, at least 8 felony charges in Washington.
This isn't just about Huckabee.
Huckabee is a bible thumping idiot and so is anyone that voted for his deranged agenda. This clemency is just another example of his warped thinking that has now cost the lives of four officers. Thanks Huckabee, Fox deserves you.
Thanx for the info Bruce, what was this guy doing out on the streets, somebody definitely has some explaining to do.
Republicans continue to ruin our country. When will we say "enough is enough"? Isn't it funny how the "religious" folks really DO NEED RELIGION due to how they live their lives. More damage has been done on this earth in the name of good then will ever be done in the name of evil! Remember that!!!!
Let us not forget that Huckabee also pardoned Wayne DuMond, who then raped and killed again. He has terrible judgement.
This plus the Wayne Dumond affair show that Huckabee has an appalling record of showing lack of judgment and pushing his religious agenda ahead of common sense and the safety of ordinary people. He is not fit to wield executive power. If that's a politicized statement, so be it.
Does anyone have records of the people Huckabee has pardoned who have gone on to become productive members of society? Is that not a fair question to ask?
I sent this to huckabee and No Response as of yet
Dear Gov Huckabee
Seeing as how you are being raked over the coals because of your decision to parole the now Killer of 4 Police Officers
You can do some damage control
I am tired of hearing about children and women being abducted
I have been thinking about this a lot and it came to me. We may be to do somethinhg about this problem
If you would agree to takeup the cause I am sure you would endear herself to tens of millions of Americans ( VOTERS )and maybe even sway them in the next election TO YOUR SIDE
My Proposal to Stop Child Abductions is found IF YOU GOOGLE "n.a.s.a. Child Abductions Missing Women"
Of course your camp would have to lead the effort to get it done by working with N.A.S.A. Or having you staff take charge of some of the details.
I would be glad to work with them too
I am sure N.A.S.A. would also be more likely to get more funding with the publics blessings
Thank You
Bill
Bruce said: "AND, DRH, insure that petty offenders (like the pot smoker) don't get locked up with the serious criminals. AND that illegal immigrants get deported instead of jailed in state prisons. California suffers from both these problems."
Again, we agree.
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