There is also a common theme in Batman that being a criminal is an illness and is curable. Batman truly believes this. This was even explored in The Dark Knight Returns where the Joker feigns sanity. Contrast this to Superman who believes that being a criminal is innate and that the only means of stopping a criminal is permanent incarceration. And when criminals have been "redeemed," Supes is hesitant to accept it.

The petition was started by a radio show host in Kansas City who goes by the name of Danny Boy. http://www.965thebuzz.com/, @dannyboi965, http://www.facebook.com/ABFMB. He's been contacting every news agency running with this story but nobody will listen. I suppose the conspiracy theory is much sexier than the truth, eh?

A better picture of the moment. http://i.imgur.com/edGyV.jpg