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Are executions making the US look bad?
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Do executions make the US look bad?
They certainly make the US looking hypocritical, if they argue for human rights on an international level and sometimes even invade countries under the pretext of enforcing human rights. ![[Image: Bumper+Sticker+-+Asheville+-+Praise+Dog3.JPG]](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-d-3rfdI7nG0%2FTerwtFyFXoI%2FAAAAAAAACak%2F7kFSmHeVrng%2Fs320%2FBumper%2BSticker%2B-%2BAsheville%2B-%2BPraise%2BDog3.JPG)
I think the main question to ask is: "Do executions look bad?"
If you answer "yes," then the sheer amount of executions here probably make us look bad. But if executions are fine with you, then, hey. It won't make the US look bad. 
Nearly 3/4 of the world’s countries have abandoned capital punishment, either de factor or de jure. Of those who still have it, only Egypt, China, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia execute more people every year than the US. Is it any wonder that when the US goes all preachy and moralistic, the rest of the world gives them the stink-eye?
Boru
‘I can’t be having with this.’ - Esmeralda Weatherwax
RE: Are executions making the US look bad?
May 17, 2022 at 5:28 pm
(This post was last modified: May 17, 2022 at 5:30 pm by The Grand Nudger.)
Yes, it is a wonder, because even though we do that bad thing...we still have a case for being preachy and moralistic. That's the real or assumed moral sewer.
"Look, we execute minorities on the flimsiest of shit..as a routine part of our organizing principles...but even we engage in the peaceful and orderly transition of power - so wtf is wrong with you?".
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
Yes, without a doubt. I wouldn't be so quick to blame Christianity for it though - at least not exclusively. The down side of American culture has its roots spread wide and probably most grounded in general arrogance. It's just general human failings. You enjoy a great deal of success, you start thinking you are the rightful arbiter of what is right and wrong.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
Albert Einstein RE: Are executions making the US look bad?
May 18, 2022 at 6:31 am
(This post was last modified: May 18, 2022 at 6:32 am by abaris.)
(May 18, 2022 at 12:27 am)AFTT47 Wrote: Yes, without a doubt. I wouldn't be so quick to blame Christianity for it though - at least not exclusively. The down side of American culture has its roots spread wide and probably most grounded in general arrogance. It's just general human failings. You enjoy a great deal of success, you start thinking you are the rightful arbiter of what is right and wrong. Christian or not. I think that the eye for and eye approach is deeply ingrained in many of the promoters of capital punishment. But also, the general American judicial system is much more punitive in nature than the European counterparts. To name only one of the most absurd examples, taking a leak in the streets can land you on the sex offenders list in certain states or counties.
Some people just need killing.
Barry Eisler  (May 18, 2022 at 6:31 am)abaris Wrote:(May 18, 2022 at 12:27 am)AFTT47 Wrote: Yes, without a doubt. I wouldn't be so quick to blame Christianity for it though - at least not exclusively. The down side of American culture has its roots spread wide and probably most grounded in general arrogance. It's just general human failings. You enjoy a great deal of success, you start thinking you are the rightful arbiter of what is right and wrong. It's not an eye for an eye, though; rather, an execution is the scheduled annihilation of a human being's conscious mind. The only individuals who get punished are the innocent, the perpetrator's family, friends and his/her executioners, some of whom suffer guilt and even trauma from their participation in the killing. (May 18, 2022 at 9:10 am)Jehanne Wrote: The only individuals who get punished are the innocent, the perpetrator's family, friends and his/her executioners, some of whom suffer guilt and even trauma from their participation in the killing. Don Cabana was one of the prominent examples. In his later career an outspoken opponent of capital punishment. He was famous as the warden in the documentary called 14 days in may, I believe. Till his own death he didn't get over the very real possibility of having put an innocent man into the gas chamber. He talked about it again and again and also about how he showered for hours after an execution and still felt dirty.
 (May 18, 2022 at 6:31 am)abaris Wrote: Christian or not. I think that the eye for and eye approach is deeply ingrained in many of the promoters of capital punishment. I went to a bible study where a fundamentalist couple tried to teach us that not only was the death penalty okay with God, it was actually demanded by God. Their argument was the Old Testament commands for death. If God was good, and God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then those commands to kill wrongdoers are good, and still stand today. I wonder if they have stoned their children for being disobedient yet. |
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