The state of North Carolina proudly prepares to execute the 1000th person in the United States to be executed since the SCOTUS reinstituted the death penalty back in 1976. Me thinks Texas will probably be quite jealous over this honor but dueling is no longer permitted in the United States.

*dusts off soap box and stands up on it. Deep breath*

Now... this is one more example of a nation of barbarians. North Carolina is executing the 1000th person. Only three other countries have higher numbers: China, Vietnam and Iran. Saudi has public executions for heaven's sake and they don't execute as many as we do. For a Christian nation we certainly don't pay much attention. The commandment says simply, "Thou shalt not kill." What part of "thou shalt not" do they not understand. My mother always told me two wrongs don't make a right. So we're doing this again why?

Back in '76, when the court reversed the decision, probably my favorite justice ever, Thurgood Marshall wrote the dissenting opinion. He questioned the judgement of the other members then, suggesting those in favor of the death penalty aren't intelligent enough to make the decision. I tend to agree with him.

While this man did commit murder, called the police while he was committing the act, he deserves better than this. He's a Vietnam vet. This brings us though to the other part of this issue. What exactly is our penal system for? Are these things to deter? The most stated reason for the death penalty is a deterrent. Why doesn't it deter more than it does? What about rehabilitation? Can't very well rehab people you execute can you. Then there's punishment. When I was a kid, part of the punishment was so you could consider the wrong in your actions. I think he's losing that shot to improve his behavior. So what is it? Does it matter most countries have completely abolished the death penalty?

One of the best arguments against the death penalty I've heard came from William F. Buckley. I think he was making a point but it's absolutely true. At the time an archbishop, from Chicago I think, was championing against the death penalty. Buckley pointed out that of all the arguments the priest was making, he left out the one most important. It's the one that all religion is based on, certainly Christianity. It's a belief that things improve, That people will learn from their mistakes. It's a belief that no matter how bad, how horrible things get, there is something better. It's the reason Christians celebrate Christmas...it's why little children try to be good all year, it's why firefighters rush into burning buildings to save lives. It's one simple four-letter word...it's called hope

posted by Stithmeister @ 12:27 PM
 
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