Uploaded by AmnestyUSA on March 21, 2012
What do you know about the death penalty?
Did you know that of 198 countries in the world, only 20 carried out executions in 2011? That the USA was the only country in the G8* to execute people? That worldwide, 18,750 people are living with a death sentence?
We’re getting closer to a death penalty-free world, but there is still far to go — especially in the US. Learn more about Amnesty’s campaign to end capital punishment, once and for all.
*The countries of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Representatives from these countries meet to discuss economic concerns.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/abolish
Offered for Occupy Blogosphere over at Soul Dipper’s place:
http://souldipper.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/occupy-blogosphere-thursday-march-29-2012/
souldipper
/ March 29, 2012This knocked me back on my heels! Wow, Bodhirose!
When I read arguments for having the death penalty in place, the statements are laced with a deep fear that people are likely unwilling to look at. There may be many brands of fear, but they match intensity unfortunately.
Bodhirose
/ March 30, 2012I’m glad this had such an impact on you!
I changed my outlook on the death penalty many years ago, Amy, when I realized that there are innocent people on death row. We cannot dismiss the fact that many people that have been given the death penalty have later been found to be innocent! Our system makes mistakes. That’s why we MUST abolish executions and that’s why I joined Amnesty International years ago too.
Peace,
Gayle
wightrabbit
/ March 31, 2012Food for thought, Gayle. Even as a young girl I thought that killing another for the crime they had committed was simply compounding cruelty and violence – rendering the community that upheld it uncivilised. I appreciate that there are many counter-arguments but this system is so open to mistakes and abuse of power. Thank you for bringing it to my attention and making me think through why I take the stance that I do.
Lorna's Voice
/ April 1, 2012Interesting and valuable info. I really enjoy how each of us are putting our own personal twist on how we choose to “spread the light.” :)
dragonkatet
/ April 2, 2012I have never agreed with the death penalty: two wrongs do not make a right, and who are we to be judge, jury and executioner, especially, as you say, when there are innocent people on death row? On the flip side, one of my best friends’ brother was murdered in cold blood and after seeing how it has affected her life with the murderer being on death row for close to 16 years, I can understand why some people want that kind of closure and ‘justice’. I think I might feel differently about it if someone close to me was murdered. Rationally, we know that killing the murderer will not bring the deceased back, but I can understand wanting some kind of justice for a senseless killing. That doesn’t mean I condone it, but I understand it.
Bodhirose
/ April 12, 2012I apologize for the long delay in responding to your heartfelt comment, Corina. I understand it too. I’ve never experienced the situation you describe and can only imagine the pain people live with in so many ways when a tragedy such as this strikes a family. I hope we can come to a place in accepting that “justice” does not equal “putting to death”.