Friday, September 30, 2011

Double standard in fight against death penalty

Since the execution of Troy Davis on 21 September 2011, a lot has been said and written about the death penalty and why all modern states should abolish the ancient practice. The controversial Troy Davis execution fueled the fight against the death penalty, as many who joined the cause to stop his execution pledged to fight on.

However, other death row inmates have been executed after Troy without any protest or concern from the millions of people who opposed the execution of Troy - suggesting "double standard" in the struggle against the death penalty.

Some people who opposed the killing of Troy Davis were even outraged by the fact that the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles granted Samuel David Crowe clemency way back in 2008 and commuted his sentence to life in prison without parole. What a shame!

Real death penalty opponents welcome every clemency decision and commutation, and oppose ALL executions.

The following video, aired on Msbc's "The Last Word" with Lawrence O'Donnell on 22 September 2011, puts double standard in the fight against the death penalty into perspective.



For the fight against the death penalty to succeed, there should be "coast to expressions of outrage" against all executions, irrespective of guilt, innocence or too much doubt. The death penalty is flawed because innocent individuals could be executed and it undermines respect for human life and dignity.

Selective outrage weakens the cause. Everyone, including death penalty supporters, who saw something wrong with, and opposed the execution of Troy Davis should oppose all executions. There are many Troy Davises on death row.

*Photo: Colorlines.

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