Opinion - Enough is enough, Bucky

Phillips now claims that he told a judge he was “guilty as hell” because he received bad advice from a court-appointed attorney. You know what this sounds like to me? It sounds like the next step in the ongoing game he (Phillips) has been playing with justice and society for the past few years.

If you recall, Phillips is the convicted murderer from Western New York who was captured Sept. 8, 2006 as he was wanted for the shooting of three New York State troopers. One of the officers, Joseph Longobardo of Saratoga County, died from his wounds.

While I stand firmly behind our current system of justice, I am often outraged as I hear stories relating to the treatment of alleged and convicted criminals. When I say I am outraged by the treatment, I’m not referring to the poor treatment. In contrast I am referring to the overly generous treatment of these individuals and the huge burden society takes on to cater to their every whim.

It is not my intention that criminals should be treated inhumanely, but they should have logical and reasonable restrictions placed upon them, their behavior and their freedoms. Jail is just that, it is jail. Our penal system is just that, it is a system of punishment. Incarcerated criminals continue to ask for more while hard-working American families scrimp and save to make ends meet. The publicly funded legal expenses for these individuals (criminals) are out of control. In 2007 the basic cost of incarceration alone was $24,922 per inmate at a Federal Prison per year.

I am a firm believer in the value of human life and the God-given rights of all individuals to live free, prosper and pursue the American dream. But members of society have to exercise these freedoms in a manner that conforms to the simple laws of society and does not infringe upon the lives of others.

Some may argue that my views aren’t moral or Christian. To those I defer to a quote by the great St. Augustine… “Punishment is justice for the unjust.” And, as sad as it is, some people are unjust. Some people are evil. Some people cannot live free or enjoy the same freedoms as others.

Now on to another point, is it me or are criminals innocent until proven guilty, while police officers are guilty until proven innocent? I for one would rather have five questionable officers walking the streets than five questionable criminals. These (police officers) are the men and women who walk the streets so that we can sleep safely at night. To the men and women in the blue uniforms, thank you.

Now I come full circle back to Ralph “Bucky” Phillips, the man who shot three police officers, fatally injuring one. I have heard enough from you, Bucky. I have seen enough of your smiling face. You didn’t have the guts to face Officer Longobardo like a man - at least take your punishment like a man.

I will leave you with another quote by Saqib Ali, State Delegate in the Maryland House of Delegates. “It is Justice, not Laws that cures the society. And Capital Punishment is the only Justice that suits a murderer.”

We always appreciate your feedback. Please send all comments or letters to the editor to Executive Editor Eric DeGrechie at edegrechie@saratogapublishing.com.