I had an interesting fight with Jill of Feministe on the question of the death penalty a while ago. Jill made the usual discredited and unpopular left-wing arguments. It was, of course, a crushing and total victory for the side of Good and Right. (That's my side if you didn't know. Pay attention.)
The only issue where the left has traction on this one is the racial disparity angle. There are racial disparities in the death penalty; there's no good counterargument to that point. The change that needs to be made, however, isn't to eliminate the DP; it's to ensure that white criminals who deserve the death penalty get it. As on the issue of Title IX, the proper approach is to increase the participation of one group in the system, not decrease another group's participation (or eliminate sports).
That said, it is also important for death penalty supporters to recognize that - justice systems being run by human beings - there are cases of genuine injustice that should be rectified. Instapundit is doing a good job of shining a spotlight on one such case.
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4 comments:
I assume you've both read Ultimate Punishment?
Doesn't ring a bell, no.
Scott Turow wrote it. Have a look--there's something for even diseased liberty-reducers such as yourself to love.
I'll put it on my to-read list, Mythago. Thanks.
And I'm not diseased. The doctors say that the infection cleared up great with the amoxycillin.
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