Ugh.
The U.S. Constitution clearly authorizes capital punishment — 'no person shall be deprived of life without due process of law' — but it's just as clearly not a deterrent because death penalty States have consistently higher rates of homicide than non-death penalty States.* Capital punishment is, in the popular mind, pure Old Testament vengeance.**
And the Republican applause underscores that. They are not applauding State executions per se, they are applauding the fact that Texas by far leads the league in executions. And they want more state executions.
At least Rick Perry seems to understand the rather profound nature of capital punishment, which is more than can be said of his rabid fans.
Governor Perry's idiocy is manifested elsewhere.
* Like Wisconsin, which ended the practice more than 160 years ago.
** Despite the Republican mob's profession of New Testament ideals.
At least Rick Perry seems to understand the rather profound nature of capital punishment
ReplyDeletePerhaps. But he fails to grasp the profundity of executing the innocent.
Yes. He's like his predecessor in that regard.
ReplyDeleteCapital punishment is a good way of making miscarriages of justice irrevocable while reducing murder rates not at all. ~C.D. Hare
ReplyDeleteA Capital Idea.
Heh, as they say.
ReplyDelete