According to Amnesty International, 2/3 of the world has abolished the death penalty in law or practice. Guess where the United States is? We are among the 58 countries that 'retain' the death penalty for 'ordinary crimes.' Our friends in the capital punishment world include: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Syria, Sierra Leone and plenty more. It's nice to think that we are among countries that really value human rights. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."
The right to life is a common thread not only in our Declaration of Independence but in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Bible, (since we are in Oklahoma I feel it is my duty to add a nugget of religion into my argument), while it does not forbid or restrict capital punishment, it does say that only a higher power can judge. What about this forgiveness stuff as well? Lets pull some philosophy in here just for good measure, the Golden Rule, treat others the way you would have others treat you. The Golden Rule pops up in every major religion so that has some weight behind right?
Troy Davis was executed last night after being charged with the 1989 murder of a police officer in Georgia. I remember coming to OU my freshman year and joining Amnesty International. The very first thing that was discussed was Troy Davis. This was four years ago. The battle to prove Troy Davis' innocence and abolish the death penalty has been going on for quite sometime. Despite the national and international protest against his execution, the U.S. Supreme Court denied clemency to Troy Davis yesterday and as a result, possibly an innocent man was executed. 
I think last night marked an important change in the United States.
Troy Davis' case made it painfully obvious about the injustices in the world. The evidence against Davis was weak at best. There was no DNA linking Davis. The gun was never found. 7 witnesses recanted. According to the Guardian, "Davis had said he wanted his case to set an example "that the death penalty in this country needs to end. They call it execution; we call it murder."
Great post. I remember feeling that sinking feeling in my stomach when I saw online the breaking news that he was killed. Terrible in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAna, what were your thoughts when the GOP crowd applauded after Brian Williams asked Rick Perry about his 250 some executions in Texas?
Personally, the whole situation felt like some sort of Roman gladiatorial arena crowd. Cheering for more blood and severed limbs.
I saw that clip on YouTube. I kept expecting an Oscar sized statue of an electric chair to be presented to him and for a tear filled speech of happiness to happen. People love blood and I guess movies filled with gore and violence aren't enough...time to bring the gladiators back I guess.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the United States should abolish the death penalty.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I've had a few moments in which the imp of the perverse whispered quickly into my ear. He said, "If someone killed your family in cold blood, how could you not want him to die?"
When that happens, I never really have an answer. I can sit here in my high and mighty computer chair and declare the death penalty inhumane, but I'm unsure how I would act if I was forced to face the someone after my family was killed. Would I be a better man and ask for nothing more than justice as life in prison? Or would I succumb to my anger and fear and ask for his life?
I don't know.
I do know one thing, I would demand the highest form of proof before condemning the individual.
What would you do Ana? Darren? Anyone else reading this comment? If you want the death penalty abolished, have you thought how you would react in this situation?
Chase-
ReplyDeleteI've actually considered what I would do if ever put into that situation. I agree it's important to play the devil's advocate in order to truly decide where you stand on the issue. I can't honestly say what I would do and I hope I never have to be put in that situation. The idealist in me says that I wouldn't ask for blood but like you I don't know if I would not fall to my own emotions.
In the case of Troy Davis, it was wrong. With cases such as these it reaffirms in my mind that if the death penalty were to be abolished it would be better.
To turn the tables on you Chase, what would you do if 10 years after the alleged murderer of your family was found to be innocent? You said you would demand the highest form of proof but would the courts and jury ask the same?
@Ana
ReplyDeleteIt would be devastating. I imagine the world dropping off around me and leaving me standing alone on a rock of guilt and shame.
If the prosecutor was going to pursue the death penalty, I would request it be done so only if absolutely necessary. However, I'm not even sure of my power in that situation.
The courts and jury's are required to demand the most damning evidence, but our justice has shown that it is capable of making a mistake.
It is an interesting question.
Most times I hold an opinion, the only way that it changes is if I see contrary evidence or a substantial personal event happens to me. In your hypothetical situation I have no idea what I would say, but my thinking would most likely change. (Just being honest)
ReplyDelete