Death Penalty drumbeat continues... [View all]

[Lucy Goosey]

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/03/15/tasha-kheiriddin-stafford-case-shows-why-canada-needs-the-death-penalty/

Tasha Kheiriddin: Tori Stafford case shows why Canada needs the death penalty

...the death penalty has been vigorously debated and is often considered to be “settled” law, at least by those who support the status quo. Opponents cite its lack of deterrence, its cost to the legal system and the fact that invariably, innocent people would be put to death. The state’s use of the death penalty makes of society the very thing it deplores: a murderer, a killer in revenge.

These points are all valid. And yet, upon reading McClintic’s testimony, a common gut reaction is that if what she says is true, she and Rafferty simply don’t deserve to live. It is simple, it is basic, it is human; it survives statistics, defences based on horrible childhoods and theories prizing rehabilitation over punishment.

This all has me worried. I know it's Kheiriddin, not an MP or anything, but this attempt at marshalling public opinion is worrisome, especially after the front page of the Ottawa Sun featured a full-page photo of a death chamber (as a good thing!) earlier this week.

And of course I'm not an apologist for the assholes who killed Tori Stafford. They are clearly horrible people.

Kheiriddin's assertion that feelings of vengefulness are "basic" is interesting - laws are in place because of "basic" (base?) feelings like that. It might be "human" to want things someone else has, but it's illegal to steal those things.

How long before we can vote the Cons out, again?

I wonder if any western countries have ever gone back to capital punishment after having abolished it?