EU Official Calls for End to Death Penalty

AP via Yahoo ^ | Mon Dec 12,12:04 PM ET

[<1/1,000,000th%]

"For us in Europe, the right to life is an inalienable right. No one ever loses their right to life, no matter what they have done." Borrell said.

Unless the person is an unwanted child, or an older person who no longer pays taxes and is using up the healthcare budget, or someone who happens to travel through parts of Paris controlled by "middle eastern youths", or someone who can't afford air-conditioning during hot weather, or someone who didn't survive the 9 month waiting period for healthcare, or...

[bobjam]

Perhaps the reason Europe is so staunchly opposed to capital punishment is because Europe has such an awful history of death penalty abuse. European rulers used capital punishment as a means to dispose of political and religious adveraries. In America, it has always been reserved strictly for punishing the worst criminals. In stark contrast to European practices, Confederate leaders such as Lee and Davis were spared the noose.

America has never had a halocaust, great purge or reign of terror. Nor has anyone been executed for religious reasons since the 1600's.

But, if we want the Europeans to like us, then perhaps we should dispense with trials and have malcontents gunned down in their own homes by soldiers. After all, that's what Mugabe does and Europe seems to love him.

[Wonder Warthog]

"My problem with the death penalty is I don't like the idea of the US government deciding who gets to die and who gets to live."

Uh--just FYI--it is STATE governments making these decision--not the Fedgov (although the Fedgov via the Supreme Court occasionally intervenes to stop a state-mandated execution).

[Turbopilot]

In 2004, according to the human rights group Amnesty International, executions were carried out in 25 nations. In that year, 97 percent of all executions were performed in just four countries: China, Iran, Vietnam and the U.S.

What a bogus statistic. Amnesty International puts the number of executions in China in 2004 alone at around 3,400, and Phyllis Schlafly puts the total at 10,000. In comparison, 59 were executed in the U.S. Singapore executes people at ten times the per capita rate in the U.S., most of whom aren't even murderers. Putting the U.S. in the "top four" is like saying that Dell, Gateway, Compaq, and a dude in his dad's garage make 97% of all computers.

"But there is a glimmer of hope. U.S. society is changing its views on the death penalty," Borrell said.

Nope. We still support it strongly.

"For us in Europe, the right to life is an inalienable right. No one ever loses their right to life, no matter what they have done." Borrell said.

I wonder if he'd think the same thing if someone like Tookie tortured and killed a member of his family with a shotgun. He might not be so quick to declare that the killer's life is worth more than that of his loved one.

[Gay State Conservative]

Would Europe be willing to accept all US death-row inmates as a compromise?

Of course they would.After all,they're compassionate and civilized.I think that they'd likely choose to settle them all in the suburbs of Paris.

[Ukiapah Heep]

Death Penalty calls for the end of Europe.

[proud_yank]

In 2004, according to the human rights group Amnesty International, executions were carried out in 25 nations. In that year, 97 percent of all executions were performed in just four countries: China, Iran, Vietnam and the U.S.

Why do these figures not seem right? Particularly after hearing about the Aussie who was recently hanged in Singapore. Then again, it is from Amnesty Intl, so...

[Ukiapah Heep]

Give us liberty, and give them death.

[mobyss]

How many were executed in Europe in concentration camps during WWII? How about during the Spanish Inquisition?

Maybe what we should do is send all of our death-row inmates to Paris in the summer. When the temperature soars, they'll all die from lack of air conditioning like the 10,000 elderly did in 2004.

[JillValentine]

I think the death penalty should be reformed. No more lethal injections - that's what you give your old, ill pet that's in a lot of pain. For death row criminals, they should use the electric chair or a firing squad.

And no more endless appeals. Each death row inmate should be allowed one appeal and no more. Anyone who thinks that's too harsh should remember that the victims who were murdered didn't get any appeals at all.

[drew]

If we were an anti-death penalty country, the Euroweenies would be for it.

[dfwgator]

Death Row should have a permanent population of 10. Each time one moves in, you gotta make room for him.

[steelcurtain]

Yeah, thanks for your input, Josep.

[AmericanChef]

-in the U.S. the 1000th execution was carried out.-

I know - it makes me sad, too. It should've been a lot more by now.

[steel_resolve]

U.S. society is changing its views on the death penalty

Um, like no we're not.

[microgood]

"For us in Europe, the right to life is an inalienable right. No one ever loses their right to life, no matter what they have done." Borrell said.

Wait until it gets hot this summer in France and everyone is on vacation and get back to us.

[montag813]

STRASBOURG, France

In the year 1383, all Jews were deported from Strasbourg. There were also numerous pogroms killing dozens of Jews during this process.

In 1943 the Anatomical Museum in Strasbourg displayed the skeletons of 80 of the Jews murdered in the nearby Natzweiler death camp in order to establish Jewish "racial inferiority" by means of anthropological study.

And today this skunk has the nerve to lecture us from that very city. Our hands are clean you asshole. Europe has the blood of millions upon its hands.

[Turbopilot]

See my post #44. The figures are factually correct but are used in a way that utterly distorts the truth.

[DesignerChick]

Yes, its particularly amusing coming from the continental that has aborted itself into oblivion. When they start broadcasting abortions and face the reality of what a real "death sentence for an innocent" looks like...MAYBE I'll care about what Europeans have to say.

[LK44-40]

Most unfortunately, in the U.S. the 1000th execution was carried out.

LK44-40, proudly living since 1946 in the magnificent state with the distinction of having hit this landmark...my tax dollars well spent!

North Carolina...home of great basketball and the avenging needle!