John Allen Muhammad, known as the Beltway sniper, will be put to death tonight. The only one who can save him is Governor Tim Kaine. I will be surprised if the governor steps in.
I have to admit: I don’t hold a very strong stance on the death penalty. I find arguments on both sides to be compelling; thus, my ambivalence. I’m pro-choice for the same reason: that the decision to pursue such a course is left in the hands of the individual is probably the best way to handle things.
My biggest concern for the death penalty – and why I lean against it – is in its application. But that is true in our courts in general. In my mind, the guy who murdered my brother didn’t get the time he deserved. Same for this guy, who starved to death one of his twin daughters. I was in Atlanta for a time during the Wayne Williams murders. I remember the fear. But he didn’t get the death penalty.
Muhammad chose a path which will end tonight.
An IV line will be inserted into each of Muhammad’s arms.
The first of three chemicals will render him unconscious.
The second will stop his breathing.
The third will stop his heart.
I guess we place a different value on different lives.
UPDATE: Governor Kaine has declined to intervene in the execution.
I’ve always thought the harshest punishment was letting them live. You’re dead, so what? Better than having large men take liberties with you for the rest of your natural life.
Posted by Max Shapiro | Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 11:45 amI used to support the death penalty, I don’t anymore largely because of what I’ve seen about how the criminal justice system works up close.
That said, I’m not going to shed a tear for Muhammed tonight. Perhaps it’s because I lived up here back then, pumped my gas at a gas station in Manassas the day before someone was killed there, and had one of the shootings take place a mere 1.5 from where I was living at the time.
Posted by Doug Mataconis | Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 12:15 pm“I guess we place a different value on different lives.”
And what value do you place on the lives of unborn children?
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 2:25 pmThank you for thinking of the gametes! Rarely does someone other than the Roman Catholic Church pay so much attention to the products of meiosis (in a moral sense, anyway). It is so unfortunate that Virginia does not make masturbation a misdemeanor for men, at least.
Posted by tx2vadem | Sunday, November 15, 2009, 8:37 pmNot talking about gametes, but zygotes.
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Monday, November 16, 2009, 9:23 amSorry to hear about your brother.
You’re right: the death penalty is under-applied. Muhammed’s accomplice should be executed, too.
Posted by James Young | Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 2:55 pmThe Associated Press reported that, according to his wife, “…he returned from his tour of duty in the Gulf War, a changed man, saying Black soldiers had been discriminated against.” She said “When he got back, he was a very angry man.” He might have shot white strangers at random, only killing a few black victims to make it seem as if race was not an issue.
*******(London Telegraph)
Malvo further testified that Muhammad wanted him to shoot pregnant white women. At one moment, he even had a pregnant woman in his sights in a fast-food restaurant.
“I just couldn’t take the shot,” said Malvo.
So why has the media buried the racist motivation for these crimes?
Posted by J. Tyler Ballance | Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 11:20 pmThe state should not murder.
~
That some of the above are willing to have it do so? Highlights their moral vacuity.
Posted by MB | Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 12:59 amYOu condemn the state, yet say nothing about the murderer who took the lives of 10-people, who had done nothing to him, or caused him harm. Are you heartless for the victims of this foul creature? Appears that way! What is your solution for dealing with people who randomly pick up a weapon and start killing innocent human beings? An afternoon at Dairy Queen? Movie and dinner? A run to Kings Dominion for the weekend? Putting the burden of supporting these soul-less, people, who would take other human life, by putting them in prison, on the taxpayers isn’t punishment to the felon, its punishment to the taxpayers. So what is your solution?
Posted by T.W. Bonsac | Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 6:08 amIt’s all the gun’s fault, in MB’s warped world. The gun chose its victims, loaded itself, aimed itself, and pulled it’s own trigger. Muhammed was the innocent victim — possessed by the gun as though by the Devil himself.
“There are no bad guns, only bad people.”
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 8:37 amIt’s not murder, MB. Furthermore, a death sentence MUST be imposed by the jury. Thus, it is not the State, but the People.
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 8:39 amThe State should not steal, MB. Taking money (by force and the threat of force) for unconstitutional purposes is theft. And you condone it.
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 8:41 amI think someone whining about ” moral vacuity” should come from a position of authority, or at the very least, a “moral” stance. As you pointed out, the people are the ones who imposed the sentence and all the state did was carry out the people’s wishes. The people were concerned about the victims and the future victims, should this piece of human garbage get loose again. In the case of a cold blooded murderer, who took so many lives, its better to err on the side of caution to protect the people, than complain about ” moral vacuity”!
In my view, MB’s post fits the dictionary definition of the word, more than the people who sat on the jury, on in fact the state. See for yourself:
vacuity – 3 dictionary results
Get Top Management Degree
Enhance Your Career. Find An MBA Program That Matches Your Needs.
http://www.FindMBAPrograms.com
Toilet Repair
Search Toilet Repair Find Toilet Repair Online
ZepTi.com
vacuum pump repair
Vacuum pump repair by Nandor Tech See The Difference
Sponsored Resultspumprepair.com
va⋅cu⋅i⋅ty /væˈkyuɪti, və-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [va-kyoo-i-tee, vuh-]
–noun, plural -ties. 1. the state of being vacuous or without contents; vacancy; emptiness: the vacuity of the open sea.
2. absence of thought or intelligence; inanity; blankness: a mind of undeniable vacuity.
3. a time or state of dullness, lacking in mental or physical action or productivity: the vacuity of modern existence.
4. an empty space; void: a vacuity in the earth formed by erosion.
5. absence or lack of something specified: a vacuity of feeling.
6. something inane, senseless, or stupid: conversation full of vacuities.
7. a vacuum.
Just my opinion, but his post, fits the definition to a T!
Posted by T.W. Bonsac | Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 7:40 pm