| Blasted Current Events |
| Politics is a subject I usually try to avoid in long philipics. Frankly, it is controversial, and it is very hard to say something and avoid violent feedback. But, after my most recent spiritual rebirth, I feel comfortable enough to relate to you some of my political beliefs. Death penalty has topped the headlines recently. The Supreme Court has recently decided that it is unconstitutional to execute the mentally retarded. Hundreds of death penalty cases are now being retrialed, and someone is going to have to show the world why an IQ test cannot determine a person's prison sentence. Aside from the mentally retarded, I have a much more liberal belief. The death penalty is immoral, pure and simple. We all know that murder is wrong, but our society believes in something called sanctioned murder. Sanctioned murder is justifiable, and our society believes (for the most part) that we are performing simple eye for an eye justice. Defendants of the death penalty say that it is cheaper, that it actually reduces crime, and that the death penalty helps to save future victims. These are powerful arguments, and some are correct. Today, it really isn't cheaper to give a person the death penalty. All of the trials and retrials before the actual execution accumulates very quickly, so a life term in prison is usually equivalent. It would be impossible to prove that executions eliminate crime due to the enormous number of factors in criminal statistics. But I do think there is merit to the thought of execution as a deterrent towards future crime. And if future crimes are prevented, future lives will be saved. But, as sad as it is for me to say, those arguments really do not make a difference. The death penalty is wrong because a person's right to life should never be suspended by a state. It devalues human life. True, someone who commits a crime deserves some sort of retribution. But that retribution isn't physical damage, it certainly should not be murder. Morally speaking, the only time murder is justified is when it is done in self-defense. Police can shoot someone who is shooting at them, for example. Same for the average citizen. But when you are not actively defending yourself, like when a civilian's life is in immediate danger, it is your responsibility to protect everyone from the offender. Separate them from society; lock them up, and throw away the key. I do believe in reform, but walls and guards won't do it. There are two ways to reform 1) Repentance 2) Death. Let them die on their own, let nature run its own course. The other major issue has to be Israel. Presently, Palestinians are blowing themselves up and killing many Israeli soldiers and civilians. The Israelis are invading Palestinian territory and holding the provincial leaders hostage. Both sides are only fueling the cliched "cycle of violence." Ideally, both sides would stop fighting and Palestine would hold elections. The Israelis would pull back to their own border, stop their aggressive colonization in Palestinian areas, and basically stop being such a bully in the region. But that won't happen. It won't happen because terrorists in Palestine like to manipulate young fools to achieve their own political aspirations. And you can't stop that manipulation because young people are desperate because the Israelis are a good explanation for their current poverty and depression. Nothing will work without foreign intervention. First and foremost, Arab nations need to be extremely conspicuous in denouncing terrorism in Palestine. Foreign nations need to provide large grants to revitalize the economy of Palestine. Youths need to have hope and opportunities to avoid desperation (and as a result, manipulation). These are young Muslim men and women. They live in a culture that is extremely communal and traditional. This makes them proud and narrow minded, dangerous traits often found together. Help from Israel and the United States would seem like a bitter pill, because we are commonly regarded as the enemy. That is why the help needs to come from many different sources, especially Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. These countries are deeply rooted in Islamic beliefs and culture, so the aid would be more freely accepted. Besides, the goal of foreign intervention is not to make the US look good; it is to stop bloodshed in the quickest and most painless way possible. When adults and children will stop being starved for physical necessities like food and shelter, they will be much more open to real peace talks with the US. But this will take time. It will need courage and support from many nations for it to even see the light of day. Our nation needs a better policy, and telling the Palestinians to hold their own elections in a few months isn't going to solve anything. Bush's recent plan is idealistic and totally unrealistic. If he wants results, then he needs to ask for help from the only people who can give it. I've had enough ranting for one hour. Thanks for listening, and feel free to comment. The Dark Dachshund |