The Morality of Capital Punishment
September 1, 2007 by Sumo
Last month in spite of an international outcry, Bush’s home state of Texas carried out its 400th execution since the death penalty was reinstated, in 1976. For this auspicious “milestone” the European Union chose to take a stand for international human rights. All 27 E.U. member states, plus more than a dozen other countries, issued an official plea to Texas Governor Rick Perry to stay the execution of Johnny Ray Conner, a black, 32 year old father of two convicted of murdering a convenience store clerk. This was Perry’s response…
“Two hundred and thirty years ago, our forefathers fought a war to throw off the yoke of a European monarch and gain the freedom of self-determination,” he said in a prepared statement. “While we respect our friends in Europe, Texans are doing just fine governing Texas.” Hours later, Conner was given a lethal injection.
Conner faced the witnesses…only journalists and court officers were allowed to watch his death. He spoke clearly, saying, “What is happening to me is unjust.” He was a Muslim so he began to pray. “I belong to Allah; I return to Allah,” he said. “I love you.” Eight minutes later, he was pronounced dead, and Europe was stunned. And the point here isn’t that Europeans felt Conner was innocent. But, apparently for us in this country, his guilt was not the factor here. Studies have shown that the death penalty does not deter criminals from violence. So the only purpose then would be retribution. Europeans feel they have moved beyond petty vengeance. So…when will America catch up to them?
At least the US isn’t alone in killing convicts as far as reputation in the world is concerned…but it keeps some bad neighbors. This kind of behavior is rather expected of China and Iran…which execute prisoners almost daily. Saudi Arabia has a rate of two a week…sometimes stoning and even beheading. Japan, executes two or three people a year. But these countries are receiving intense pressure to make a change in their policies in this department. Human-rights groups like Amnesty International and other UN organizations have been lobbying death-penalty governments, with some rate of success. The US is the strongest holdout though. Washington is actually trying to block a bill that would simplify the appeals process for death-row inmates. It seems other countries view this as bizarre…because we are a country with a high degree of political and cultural sophistication and would preserve the penalties that the other civilized nations find so shocking.
A leading French journalist for Le Monde felt Americans attitude toward this as virtually ignoring the fact that a 400th execution had taken place at all. Another execution in Texas just isn’t news anymore to Americans. Why? Because most Americans still support the death penalty. The US is the only Western democracy whose citizens want punishment of this sort. But…the pro-execution majority is slowly shrinking. Even in Texas, the state responsible for nearly 2/3 of all American executions…percentages have dropped. Citizens who support the death penalty has dropped from 80% in 2001 to 74% today. Perhaps Americans have seen enough of death in the Bush years.
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It’s telling that Texas has more death sentences executed than any other state.
It also makes one wonder what good it does, to leave someone on death row for 20 years, before the execution takes place.
I have heard it said that when one seeks vengeance or retribution one should dig two graves. One for the victim and one for ones self.
God Bless.
The Texas thing was what really caught my attention. I had no idea Europe followed that closely to our domestic happenings.
I tried to look up more info on the guy, & was able to access the appeal. Now, I admit I didn’t pay much attention in Criminal Law because I had no intention of ever practicing it, but it seems the court accepted without comment evidence of rather modest scrapes with the law *& not all that extensive* while the guy was a juvenile. I was rather astonished because I always thought that juvenile offenses are expunged on the theory that all kids do stupid things they later regret (or somethin’ like that). Apparently I was wrong. The court also noted without comment that he managed to get a college degree & above-average grades, & that he cried & apologized in court during his mother’s testimony & to the family of the victim. Still, they found he was a continuing danger to the community & should be put to death. (He also had some altercations with girlfriends).
I’m not saying the kid was a prince, but jeez, was it really necessary for the state to use its superior power put him to death? Texas has the highest rate of executions in the nation.
As for the EU paying attention, & the Texas governor’s smart ass remarks about same (:() all I can say is, maybe the little monsters & kinglets running Texas can maybe learn something from a nation that’s “been there, done that,” & only after CENTURIES state-justified barbarism & 2 World Wars figured out that if there’s anything to be learned, it’s the overriding principle of humanity & the defense of human rights that counts.
We’re the little kids who need chastizing as far as they’re concerned, & Texas is the worst of all. (Surprise~)
i can’t imagine what it must be like to have a family member murdered. i can understand that thirst for vengeance, an urge to strike back.
when it comes down to taking someone’s life, though, i don’t know how i would respond. i find the concept of the State putting someone to death repugnant. i understand all of the reasons behind it, the alleged deterrent potential of the death penalty, all of that.
but what i come back to is the actual moment when one human being pushes a button that ends the life of another. that i can’t stomach and it is especially ironic to me that the death penalty is such a cause de jour for the Party of Life! you know, those anti-abortion, war-mongering, death penalty seeking rethugs who will protect a single stem cell over the life of someone afflicted with diabetes or alzheimer’s or MS.
the arrogance of texas’s governor, too, is sickening. what a prick. no, the other countries of the world have nothing to teach us. we’re right on track to destroy the planet and we shan’t be dissuaded.
Most people know the reasons why Capital Punishment is wrong. Innocent people are often executed, especially if they are poor, and defended by a public defender. Unlike life imprisonment, executions can’t be corrected. Also rich people, who murder, are never executed, even in Texas.
1. Financial costs to taxpayers of capital punishment is several times that of keeping someone in prison for life.
2. It is barbaric and violates the “cruel and unusual” clause in the Bill of Rights.
3. The endless appeals and required additional procedures clog our court system.
4. We as a society have to move away from the “eye for an eye” revenge mentality if civilization is to advance.
5. It sends the wrong message: why kill people who kill people to show killing is wrong.
6. Life in prison is a worse punishment and a more effective deterrent.
7. Other countries (especially in Europe) would have a more favorable image of America.
8. Some jury members are reluctant to convict if it means putting someone to death.
9. The prisoner’s family must suffer from seeing their loved one put to death by the state, as well as going through the emotionally-draining appeals process.
10. The possibility exists that innocent men and women may be put to death.
11. Mentally ill patients may be put to death.
12. It creates sympathy for the monsterous perpetrators of the crimes.
13. It is useless in that it doesn’t bring the victim back to life.
Major food for thought on your comments guys. I have mixed emotions about it…but I do know this…is definitely isn’t a deterrent to society as a whole. The thought of the end result doesn’t stop the wrong doers it seems.
Excellent, Earl. Not to mention that it’s long been well known in the legal community that the existence of the death penalty does NOT at all affect or reduce the rate of violent crime. Most murders are “crimes of passion” or desperation, & a would-be murderer does not apparently stop to think long enough of the “deterrent” for that to have any substantial effect.
Plainly, as BAB notes, the penalty is more about revenge, & the victims’ families might be surprised to know that their opinions don’t actually count for much once the state takes over. It’s a political decision as much as anything else. And that’s what’s frightening about it.
Personally, I don’t know either what I’d feel in that situation, but I hope I’d feel that (unless the murder was an unusually cruel one, with deliberate & drawn-out suffering imposed before the moment of death), I’d be able to let it go & not want to feel the “satisfaction” that the criminal suffered the same fate as my loved one. An “eye for an eye” is actually a pretty meaningless & barbaric, not to mention overly simplistic, “solution.”
BAB, you forgot to mention the mere ova, whether they’re actually fertilized or not, that MIGHT become viable embryos. The mere capacity for bearing life justifies the state reaching into our pants & telling us what we can or cannot do (no “Plan B” for you, you irresponsible harlot!)
I don’t see Republicons caring much about the life once it arrives here, with health insurance or orphanages. Just a snide aside
Demon…your snide aside was on the money. They feel their righteous right to life when it suits them…especially with the religious right watching them. I’d bet you money if their daughter needed an abortion…she’d get it fast.
It’s pretty well been established that for the GOP - life begins at conception, and ends at birth. No other way to explain their so-called moral (being generous) view.
They’re all crazy…and we all know it!
Haha. But seriously, you guyz overstate the Republicon position to make them look silly & hypocritical.
Life begins in the ova, fertilized or not
I think their life began in the cesspool of life…and they haven’t crawled up and out of it yet, nor developed legs to stand up properly. Bottom feeders…well Larry Craig and Ted Haggard anyway…if you know what I mean!