by Damozel | Charlie Crist---the Republican Governor of my very own state--- is right: “Once somebody has truly paid their debt to society, we should
recognize it, and we should honor it and we should welcome them back
into society and give them that second chance.” (NYT) I've always thought that it was disgraceful that Florida permanently banned ex-felons from voting, serving on juries, or obtaining state licenses, unless they went through a prolonged process of getting their rights restored. This didn't often happen.
I always assumed that there must be other states had the same rules, but it turns --- according to The New York Times --- out that in 47 of them, ex-inmates get their rights restored automatically. So Florida was in a tiny minority, the other members of which are Kentucky and Virginia. I'm glad Gov. Crist has moved us forward, even though it's just a few baby steps.