British Expatriate Network

The Supreme Court just ruled in a 5-4 decision that the "Juvenile Death Penalty" was unconstitutional. First it was the mentally ill, now teenagers. Are we getting close to abolishing the death penalty altogether?

http//www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/01/scotus.death.penalty.ap/index.html

Someone told me once that the US is one of only a handful of countries that execute minors. So I had a look - Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United States. Not good company huh?

I'm not a big death penalty advocate personally, tho any sexual offender will happily get his head kicked in from me.

Hopefully. Doesn't the electric chair constitute 'cruel and unusual punishment'?

I think the short answer is that 'yes' we are closer to the abolition of the death penalty... the slightly longer answer is .. 'not by very much though'.

The interesting thing about the decision is that it appears to be based on the notion that the majority on the court think that most americans believe that the death penalty for minors is unacceptable. evidence cited is that few states have the DP for people wo commit crimes whilst aged 16 or 17 and those that do rarely use it.

Justice Scalia, whose idology I dislike, but whose legal arguments are said to be well thought through, dissented and appears to have been suitably disparaging about this approach. This legalistic opposition should be distnguished from the general conservative approach - that they have a right to kill minors.

However, as you say, America was not in good company on this issue and it is notable that, again, it was conservatives who support the policy of executing minors. As I've mentioned elsewhere - what went so wrong with conservatism that it found itself advocating the execution of children?

This speaks to the larger issue that American social and political values lack the notion of compassion. Their social relationships are so fragmented and their economic relationships are so antagonistic that they find it hard to relate to each other in a decent and human way.

This lack of compassion pervades everything here, so much so, that when they try act compassionately it seems perverted and fake.

The right wing conservative strain of American society is simply a less apologetic element of the same problem.

Fine Moo, but how do you explain that Americans as individuals give more to charity and volunteer more than EU citizens?

Doesn't really fit with the 'total lack of compassion' argument.

it does when it's tax deductible.

Indeed, and I guess a disproportionate of those charities are of the god bothering variety... but charitable donations are tax deductible elsewhere, including Britain.

I'm not convinced of the 'lack of compassion' argument - I think the answer lies elsewhere.

For those who are interested, but have not read this on Slate, some commentary on the decision:

http://slate.msn.com/id/2114192/

Agree the DP should be available for only the heniuos of crimes and then used sparinly .

But isnt LWP for a person 16 years of age a harsher sentence ???

I wouldn't call it a lack of passion but more to do with the constant bombardment of being told that an eye for an eye is the right thing to do.

I do find this news amazing to come just a day or two after Bush made his speech criticizing countries like Russia!

I can't believe no one has assassinated the fool yet!

You should believe in the *eye for a eye * argument ,after all it comes from one of your favourite books the bable .

So lets assassinate all those that we disagree with shall we??? another example of chritian charity . that remark its bordering on the lines of whats not allowed under free speech .

The american poeple as a whole voted him in , unlike the way the catholic church elects a new pope ..smoke indeed .

I'm not an advocate of the DP, regardless of the crime or age of the perpetator, so I certainly hope so.
I disagree that American social values lack the notion of compassion. I think there does exist a general social consciousness in American culture and it has been my experience that (generally) Americans are empathetic and have altruistic values and behaviours (particularly evident in the wake of 9/11).

The catholic church has never claimed to be a democracy.

An eye for an eye comes from the old testament, not the new one.

Ben, I can't believe he's had no assassination attempts either.

Like usual, JohnA, you make a total pillock of yourself and have no idea what you are talking about! :roll:

As dianey points out, an eye for an eye is from the Old Testament.

But then of course you think you know all about Christians don't you - after all you have studied the bible, know it inside and out. and the Pope, for your information is only to do with the Catholic Church, he does not speak for all Christians and never has.

Oh, and of course, John, you actually think you can read and write too :wink: Let me just point something out seeing as you have your arse hung around your neck at the minute - I didn't say I WISH Bush was dead at the hands of someone else at all. I can't believe no one has done it yet. There is a difference, don't know if you realise the difference but there is :)

and I thought Bush was the only idiot around here :roll:

MM isnt the old testament part of the bible which is the statement i made ?.

whether you believe in that part of it is up to you . NEVER said anything about the pope being for all of christianity your spinning and twisting again

Lay of with the insults and judgements of what you think my abilities consist of .

As the learned one amounst us you should know the rules of engagement for debate are clear and i can reply likewise with personal
barbs and assumptions .


As for my knowledge or not of the bible i can make my own opinion as to what goes where and how , without the outdated and bigoted dictates of a Dying and outdated religion .

Many a narrow and misguided statement has come out of your mouth fashioned by the mantra of a uncompromising religion .

As to the statement of where my ass is situated on my body thats just another example of a person who just cant win a argument and resorts to personal insults .

As i said your sort of talk can only allow me to resort to the same and in finishing ill just say this .

Bush may be a idiot but it seems he has gotten himself to a higher public plane and position of authority than a insignificant person like you will every achieve .

KEEP TAKING THE PILLS AND HAVE A NICE DAY

And yes il add a few of these as that seems to be the rule to allow you to say anything you like :D :) :wink: :) :D