Dear Mike, Dear Sadtruth,
I am writing you an open letter as I do think someone like me has valid points to put forward regarding Capital Punishment.
First I would like to thank you to have landed your arguments in this site, as long as you restrain from personal insults and celebrations over the death of inmates, while their being put to death.
I have been following this site with interest and since your arrival I must admit that Capital Punishment discussions upped a gear.
First let me introduce my self. I am an European and a sculptor of latin descent, born in southern Africa and an UK citizen . The reason I stumble in this site is because I am at the moment making a piece around the very issue of capital punishment.
I wanted to find out a bit more about it and CCADP gave me kick start information I require. I have also been looking at the Pros sites too.
As you are aware in Europe and the majority of the rest of the Democratic world, capital punishment has been eradicated . One of the reasons that it happened is because it is classified as a HUMAN RIGHTS issue. What I mean by that is that taking someone to death is a form of TORTURE.
So for me as an European, STATE SPONSORED HOMICIDE IS A CRIME IN IT SELF.
And at this stage you might think, that is not of my business what the USA does or does not with its constitution. But in that you are wrong, because the USA as been policing and invading the rest of the world as if it was theirs to pick and chose and that gives me the right to voice my views as well as to push in the international arena changes in your laws.
Recently the States' and Britain invaded Iraq over human rights abuse,as well as to introduce democracy by force. And I ask you this, what right does the USA have to invade another country over human right abuses when the USA does not follow its principle. We are also witnessing the result. (victims all around).
I do agree with you in some respects. When it comes to pen pals the sentimentalism surrounded by it is almost painful to witness. But is it not true that this is due to the fact that we are dealing with life/death, and this does bring emotionally charged behaviour?
Yes most of the pen pals are probably woman and some quite depressed woman looking for a good purpose in life. And some get sucked into the romanticism of danger, but it is not true too that their input as been valid too.
I tell you something these are most certainly the voters politicians look at with fright. And they are getting bigger by the day.
I too felt uneasy with some cases. Specially the case of the serial killer killed recently. He showed to the end why he actually killed. Until the end he manipulated his sympathisers voicing his high Moral theories over the status of the victims relatives, I for once didn’t buy it . However just because he was who he was doesn't give the State the right to do exactly the same.
I was under the impression that prisons exist not only to punish but also to rehabilitate. And wouldn't be much better to have murderers serving the world community, like prosthetic limbs for the victims of land mines (mainly sold by the USA) around the world? This would serve too purposes, rehabilitation and it would save lives too.
The uncensored diaries have been an eye opener to a lot of people because of the level of isolation these people are. This is actually torture. I do understand that the victims have never had a choice and that is the immediate feeling of the —serves you right, bastard/bitch!— but the thing is that the State needs to bypass personal feelings to set up a system that does protect as well as does not go against international law.
I have been following with interest the absence of woman on DR in this site . And for argument sake goes in your favour. The Taboo of the Anti DR people, is due to the fact that most cases have children involved? I do find this absence quite revealing of a culture that is naive and conservative even in this subject. Woman on DR should be more visible, maybe would be good to have a woman DR as the next uncensored diarist. The only time when they are on the spot is when they are about to be killed. I think the people in here should do more to voice in their behalf.
And you might ask and rightly so, why don't I do it? Well just for the simple fact that I don't know enough yet to be vociferous on personal cases.
I will not go to the area of the innocent on DR because this is by itself why it should be eradicated, if nothing else sticks in Pro DR reasoning.
So my dear friends, State sponsored Homicide is a CRIME. And the way DR prisoners are treated is TORTURE under Human Rights International Law. Your government talks about Chinas Human Rights abuses and your government does exactly the same.
I am hoping to further this argument with you and who ever wants too, continue.
yours ,
Little people from Europe