Death Penalty
I'm against it.
What has killing Saddam Hussein accomplished? I expect there are those who would answer that there's one fewer evil person on the planet and that it's satisfying to his victims to know he will never harm anyone again. I agree that both of those things are true.
I disagree, however, that those two motives are sufficient for us as civilizations to be killing people. Once he was in custody, he no longer could harm anyone again. He's not going to be let loose.
I'd rather look to the future and see what effect his death will have for the rest of us. Those who were his followers while he lived are not likely to be dispirited now. If experience is any teacher, they will view him as a martyr and will redouble their efforts to take up his causes. So, instead of a group with their leader locked away and ineffectual, we have energized, determined followers with vengeance on their minds. I don't think that's an improvement.
The death penalty also says we think there are times when it's correct to kill one's enemies. If we think so, then who are we to complain when others kill their enemies, that is, us? Killing one another for politics and vengeance is one of the world's problems, not one of the world's solutions.
Babies hit and bite and scream when they don't get their way. We have to teach them over many years better ways of behaving. Adults talk with one another and work out compromises. Adults know that destroying something in anger doesn't work and can't be taken back. Nations in particular should act as adults and not as babies. We have the most to lose.
What has killing Saddam Hussein accomplished? I expect there are those who would answer that there's one fewer evil person on the planet and that it's satisfying to his victims to know he will never harm anyone again. I agree that both of those things are true.
I disagree, however, that those two motives are sufficient for us as civilizations to be killing people. Once he was in custody, he no longer could harm anyone again. He's not going to be let loose.
I'd rather look to the future and see what effect his death will have for the rest of us. Those who were his followers while he lived are not likely to be dispirited now. If experience is any teacher, they will view him as a martyr and will redouble their efforts to take up his causes. So, instead of a group with their leader locked away and ineffectual, we have energized, determined followers with vengeance on their minds. I don't think that's an improvement.
The death penalty also says we think there are times when it's correct to kill one's enemies. If we think so, then who are we to complain when others kill their enemies, that is, us? Killing one another for politics and vengeance is one of the world's problems, not one of the world's solutions.
Babies hit and bite and scream when they don't get their way. We have to teach them over many years better ways of behaving. Adults talk with one another and work out compromises. Adults know that destroying something in anger doesn't work and can't be taken back. Nations in particular should act as adults and not as babies. We have the most to lose.