Hey, Europe:
Posted on 12/13/2005 7:11:35 AM PST by areafiftyone
California’s execution of a murderer this morning outraged many in Europe who regard the practice as barbaric, and feelings ran particularly deep in state Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s native Austria. In Graz, Schwarzenegger’s hometown, local Greens said they would file a petition to remove the governor’s name from the southern city’s Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium.
At the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI’s top official for justice matters denounced the death penalty for going against redemption and human dignity.
“We know the death penalty doesn’t resolve anything,” Cardinal Renato Martino said. “Even a criminal is worthy of respect because he is a human being. The death penalty is a negation of human dignity.”
Capital punishment is illegal throughout the European Union, and many Europeans consider state-sponsored executions to be barbaric.
Those feelings were amplified in the case of Stanley Tookie Williams, due to the apparent remorse they believe the Crips gang co-founder showed by writing children’s books about the dangers of gangs and violence.
Leaders of Austria’s pacifist Green Party went as far as to call for Schwarzenegger to be stripped of his Austrian citizenship – a demand, however, that was quickly rejected by Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel despite his government’s opposition to the death penalty.
“Whoever, out of political calculation, allows the death of a person rehabilitated in such an exemplary manner has rejected the basic values of Austrian society,” said Peter Pilz, a Greens leader.
Williams was executed this morning at California’s San Quentin State Prison after Schwarzenegger denied Williams’ request for clemency.
Schwarzenegger suggested that Williams’ supposed change of heart was not genuine because he had not shown any real remorse for the killings committed by the Crips.
In Italy, the country’s chapter of Amnesty International called the execution of the Crips founder “a cold-blooded murder".
“His execution is a slap in the face to the principle of rehabilitation of inmates, an inhumane and inclement act toward a person who, with his exemplary behaviour and his activity in favour of street kids, had become an important figure and a symbol of hope for many youths,” the group said in a statement.
In Germany, Volker Beck, a leading member of the opposition Greens party, said he was “disappointed” that Schwarzenegger allowed the execution to go through.
“Schwarzenegger’s decision is a cowardly decision,” Beck told the Netzeitung online newspaper.
“It is not thinkable that a prisoner could do more for society from prison than Williams did,” Beck said. “To kill him nonetheless is state-organized murder out of stubbornness.”
Some governor comes from a girly-town.
Dear Europe: STFU
Would the EuroPeons have cared as much if the US executed someone who killed an abortion doctor?
Tell you what Europe, we'll just send all of our killers to live in Europe, since you believe they can still contribute to society.
Add to the list: Florida prosecutor can't question Rush's doctor unless he files charges first.
We must be doing something right.
.....Cardinal Renato Martino said. “Even a criminal is worthy of respect because he is a human being......
This is a patently untrue statement. No one is worthy of respect for simply being. Contempt trumps respect.
The death penalty is the ultimate statement of contempt.
I can understand their position, but when Jesus told the thief on the cross that, "This day you will be with me in paradise," he didn't set him free of the cross, which he could have easily......
who gives a rat's ass what they think...?
I give Arnold Kudos for being tough! It was not an easy decision because of Hollywoods opposition but he stuck to his guns. I expect to pope to speak out on this because he is the pope and against killing. But Europe can shove it as far as I'm concerned.
Well, we surely do know that it resolves that the CRIMINAL will never, NEVER commit another criminal act on this earth, don't we?
Hey, Europe:
In Europe, they only kill the elderly, the infirm, and the retarded.
Protestors were bringing up lots of quotes of clergy opposed to executions last night. I guess they forgot it's they that have pushed so hard for "Separation of Church and State."
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Personally, I wish we were more like the middle eastern countries when it comes caring out a death sentence. You've got ONE MONTH to live with appeals. After one month, this death sentence is carried out.
To the Pope, "Cleanup in pew five - slap this guy down for disagreeing with God's Word on how some of these folks will rightly be killed for committing murder.
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