I don't like either Obama's or Clinton's position on capital punishment.
The state has no business killing anyone for any reason.
As far as I can tell Clinton doesn't really oppose it at all. Her only concern, a noble one indeed, is trying to ensure that no innocents are actually executed for crimes they didn't commit. Isn't the easiest way to ensure that no innocents are executed to stop executing people?
And Obama's rationalization for capital punishment troubles me. He also supported reform to reduce the possibility that innocents would be executed. Particularly, requiring all capital interrogations to be videotaped. I'd offer the same critique as above.
But this is what troubled me;
"Obama wrote in his recent memoir that he thinks the death penalty "does little to deter crime." But he supports capital punishment in cases "so heinous, so beyond the pale, that the community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage by meting out the ultimate punishment." (Washington Post 02.08.07)
Is that really a good justification for capital punishment? Blood lust?
And if you're willing to condone execution as a means of satisfying the publics blood lust how much of a leap is it to accepting torture as a means of preventing criminal acts?
Posted by snark at April 16, 2008 02:21 PM
"Perhaps someone should conduct a forum on religion, so we can discuss the morality."
I am in no way condoning the death penalty. I would not say I am for it. However I am for the separation of church and state, which is in the constitution. A religious forum or the religious views of the Justices should have nothing to do with the way the US Supreme Courts make their decisions.
Posted by kanker at April 16, 2008 02:35 PMsnark,
agreed. unfortunately, it's yet another third rail.
kanker,
if you read my linked post, you'll see that i'm snarking. i'm no fan of politicians talking about religion. and this isn't about religion, it's about basic human morality.
Posted by Turkana at April 16, 2008 02:43 PMNeither 'this administration' and 'morality' nor 'the present Supreme Court' and 'morality' should be used in the same sentence.
Posted by jwrjr at April 16, 2008 02:58 PMWell hell, this Country doesn't think torture is 'cruel nor unusal.' What did you expect?
Posted by Judith at April 16, 2008 02:59 PMI would be happy to have a president who at least isn't enthusiastic about executing people. Of course, federal crimes (about which the president has a say) are just a tiny fraction of death penalty cases anyway.
Posted by CA Pol Junkie at April 16, 2008 03:32 PMThe US is unique with its use of the death penalty in the West.
Posted by Prabhata at April 16, 2008 04:10 PMThe US is unique with its use of the death penalty in the West.
We have also executed more child offenders (kids who committed crimes) than anyone else.
USA! USA! USA!
Oh look! The republi-cons are so happy they're crying! Anyone have a tissue?
Posted by phidipides at April 16, 2008 04:57 PM"Is that really a good justification for capital punishment? Blood lust?" ...snark
I was wondering why Obama rented "Sweeny Todd" 17 times.
Posted by TIKI AL at April 16, 2008 06:10 PM