Setting the opinion of Bostonians to the side, Holder's death decision is offensive to all of us

[morningfog]

Welcome to 2014. When will the US join the ever-growing community of governments who recognize the barbaric and tortuous practice of capital punishment? I know we will eventually, it is inevitable, but it won't be today. AG Holder had a golden opportunity to alter and re-frame the debate. Tsarnaev would have been the perfect case to do so.

Imagine if the US prosecutors had stood up and said that when we can choose not to execute those that commit the greatest atrocities, we prove that we are the better people. This was a horrendous and expansive crime. It was high profile and cold blooded. All eyes were on Boston and all eyes were awaiting this decision. It was a squandered opportunity to change the course of US death penalty practice.

If Tsarnaev had participated in the same acts just 20 months earlier, his age would constitutional prohibit the death penalty. Of course setting the ban at 18 is a rather arbitrary date. It certainly should not go lower, but the Supremer Court precedent that set that standard relied on science and social science that tells us the same issues at 18 persist through the early 20s. The reasons given to prohibit death penalty of minors are based on adolescent brain development. The brain develops through the early 20s. The developing brain is more impulsive and less able to consider future consequences. But most importantly, in this case, it is also very impressionable to peers and elders and the juvenile is not a finished product. No matter how heinous the crime, no one can say that the individual is irreparable. The science simply doesn't support that perspective.

The following 18 states have banned the death penalty:

Alaska (1957)
Connecticut(2012)
Hawaii (1957)
Illinois (2011)
Iowa (1965)
Maine (1887)
Maryland (2013)
Massachusetts (1984)
Michigan (1846)
Minnesota (1911)
New Jersey (2007)
New Mexico* (2009)
New York (2007)
North Dakota (1973)
Rhode Island (1984)
Vermont (1964) West Virginia (1965)
Wisconsin (1853)

ALSO
Dist. of Columbia (1981)

22 states still permit as well as the federal government.

140 countries have banned the death penalty:


Albania (2000)
Andorra (1990)
Angola (1992)
Argentina (2008)
Armenia (2003)
Australia (1984)
Austria (1950)
Azerbaijan (1998)
Belgium (1996)
Bolivia (2009)
Bhutan (2004)
Bosnia-Herzegovina (1997)
Bulgaria (1998)
Burundi (2009 )
Cambodia (1989)
Canada (1976)
Cape Verde (1981)
Colombia (1910)
Cook Islands (2007)
Costa Rica (1877)
Côte d'Ivoire (2000)
Croatia (1990)
Cyprus (1983)
Czech Republic (1990)
Denmark (1933)
Djibouti (1995)
Dominican Republic (1966)
Ecuador (1906)
Estonia (1998)
Finland (1949)
France (1981)
Gabon (2010)
Georgia (1997)
Germany (1949)
Greece (1993)
Guinea-Bissau (1993)
Haiti (1987)
Honduras (1956)
Hungary (1990)
Iceland (1928)
Ireland (1990)
Italy (1947)
Kyrgyzstan (2007)
Kiribati (1979)
Latvia (2012)
Liechtenstein (1987)
Lithuania (1998)
Luxembourg (1979)
Macedonia (1991)
Malta (1971)
Marshall Islands (1986)
Mauritius (1995)
Mexico (2005)
Micronesia (1986)
Moldova (1995)
Monaco (1962)
Montenegro (2002)
Mozambique (1990)
Namibia (1990)
Nepal (1990)
Netherlands (1870)
New Zealand (1961)
Nicaragua (1979)
Niue (n.a.)
Norway (1905)
Palau (n.a.)
Panama (1903)
Paraguay (1992)
Philippines (2006)
Poland (1997)
Portugal (1867)
Romania (1989)
Rwanda (2007)
Samoa (2004)
San Marino (1848)
São Tomé and Príncipe (1990)
Senegal (2004)
Serbia (2002)
Seychelles (1993)
Slovakia (1990)
Slovenia (1989)
Solomon Islands (1966)
South Africa (1995)
Spain (1978)
Sweden (1921)
Switzerland (1942)
Timor-Leste (1999)
Togo (2009)
Turkey (2002)
Turkmenistan (1999)
Tuvalu (1978)
Ukraine (1999)
United Kingdom (1973)
Uruguay (1907)
Uzbekistan (2008)
Vanuatu (1980)
Vatican City (1969)
Venezuela (1863)


In the US, we are inching towards joining these nations in ending the barbaric practice. In the US, juveniles can no longer be put to death. Mentally disabled persons cannot be put to death. No one can be put to death for any crime that doesn't result in the loss of another life.

The trend is clear and we will get there. For now, our great opportunity, our "teaching moment," our chance to evolve was wasted. Instead we, through Holder and the DOJ, choose death.

[MannyGoldstein]

1. K&R. nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you. Friedrich Nietzsche

[sabrina 1]

3. Democrats have to 'look tough'. Otherwise they might be critized by the

most reactionary, moronic, regressive right wingers in the country. And no one wants THEM to have a bad opinion of them! :eyes

[iandhr]

4. Holder has said he "personally opposes capital punishment"

I do as well. And agree with the substance of your post

I guess he feels as the AG he has to put the law above his own person beliefs. I am glad I am not in his shoes.

[morningfog]

5. The law doesn't require it. He had a choice and he made it.

[Auntie Bush]

6. I think Holder announced this just BEFORE the big game as a warning to

anyone thinking of doing something stupid...beware this is what will happen to you.

[W.J. McCabe]

7. Anyone who thinks the government has the right to murder its own citizens…

… is a damn fool and hypocrite if that person also believes in limited government and in protecting life.

[morningfog]

8. Kick!

[woo me with science]

9. kick