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Friday, October 05, 2012
It's been eight years since I wrote about the death penalty, and my opinion overall really hasn't changed for the most part. The salient points:
- It doesn't really serve as a deterrent, because no one seems that concerned about it.
- There's good evidence that innocent people were executed, either because of new DNA evidence or malfeasance by police and/or prosecutors.
- Even if you can get someone sentenced to death, it's at least 15 years before anyone ever gets around to it. It's really terribly costly, all told.
I believe that if you have incontrovertible evidence of a crime, video, DNA, more than ten eyewitnesses, I mean really ironclad stuff, then go ahead and kill the guy. If shaky eyewitness testimony or circumstantial evidence comes into play, then the death penalty is off the table.
To the point of its misapplication, the evidentiary threshold shouldn't only be applied to capital murder cases. It should apply to particularly brutal assaults, major financial crimes, rape, and especially child rape.
What I know of pedophiles is that it seems as though many would, if a therapy was available or a switch could be thrown to stop the urges, would gladly do it. Most pedophiles don't want to be pedophiles. (This isn't to excuse any of the behavior.) My point is that these guys are wired a certain way, and no amount of therapy or threat of prison is going to stop them from doing what they do. If the proof meets the high bar, then execute him. Give him the mandatory appeal, but if he's ruled against, he has 48 hours to get his affairs in order.
If you want to know how high a bar I'm setting for proof, I'll put it this way: Without knowing nearly all the details of the case, and based solely on what I've read, Jerry Sandusky wouldn't qualify for execution. As far as I know, there isn't any proof other than one eyewitness and that of the victims. There's no visual or auditory proof, and no DNA that I'm aware of. If I'm wrong about the scarcity of more ironclad evidence, then I gladly nominate that scumbag for the end of a rope.
The same applies for the other types of crimes I mentioned, and probably a bunch more. A guy who beats the hell out of his wife and kids was probably beaten as a child by his parents, and his own kids are going to end up beating their own children. Just end it. Break the chain, and let's put the defective genes to bed.
There are certain people who cannot be rehabilitated or fixed. Given that even rapists who were "chemically castrated" still found ways to commit sexual crimes, there's just no point to keeping these people around if they've been proven guilty to the degree I've described.
I'm not a liberal, I'm not a conservative, I'm a rationalist. My views and opinions are based solely on what makes sense. You can argue with me about this if you want, just so you know, you're wrong.
Labels: America, Bill of Rights, brutality, crime, death penalty, genetics, reality, the Constitution, torture, victim
0 comments
Friday, August 07, 2009
The Italian news service, ADNKronos, published an analysis of the situation in Iran. Ali Ansari from the London-based think tank Chatham House, and co-director of the Institute of Iranian Studies at St. Andrews University in Scotland told AKI:
"I would not want to predict a revolution but I definitely do not think Ahmadinejad will fulfill his full term."
Government opponents pledged to continue their protests after the swearing in of Ahmadinejad this week and there is speculation that the government may be unable to repress the simmering opposition, particularly as the economy is weak.
"I think they are in a very difficult position and unless ultimately they find some compromise, I think they will have serious problems," said Ansari.
"I mean the underlying thing you have to bear in mind about Ahmadinejad is he is taking over a country whose political and economic health is not good. So if you wait long enough, the economy will basically bring him down."
"The firebrand president's allies among the political elite distrust him profoundly, his cabinet is in shambles, and conservative rivals in the parliament have threatened a no-confidence vote," said Maloney, in a report published this week.
A hundred people are facing trial in Tehran on various charges, including conspiracy, rioting and vandalism allegedly committed during the street protests after the poll.
Defeated opposition presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi and Iran's former reformist president Mohammad Khatami, have denounced the hearings, that were due to resume on Saturday.
"Though battered and detained, the opposition remains energised and appears to be prepared to wage a long-term mutiny against the regime's effort to stifle any dissent," said Maloney.
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
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Thursday, August 06, 2009
Protesters marked the 40th day since Kianoosh Asa was found murdered after disappearing for 10 days into the hands of security forces. Here's the video:
The video was shot in Asa's hometown, Kermanshah.
Also, Iranian blogger, Mehdi Saharkhiz, has posted some incredible photos on his blog, click here to see protests near Modares Highway in Tehran.
As a frame of reference:
View Larger Map
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
Late Wednesday night, a group of armed men stormed the offices of the Association of Iranian Journalists in Tehran.
A member of the press group, who requested not to be named, was quoted in the report as confirming, "It is true, it has been closed down."
The International Federation of Journalists was quoted in the report as condemning the raid, as well as calling for the Islamic republic to release over 40 journalists currently held in prison.
"Government actions against media and journalists erode further the credibility and standing of the Government in national and the world opinion," an IFJ statement read.
Full article from the Jerusalem Post available here.
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
Today (Thursday), Iran's hardline newspaper, Kayhan, congratulated Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for standing up to Western countries, and warned that the Islamic Republic would stand up against American plots.
From the AFP article:
"The US is not going to give up its plotting against Iran," said Iran's leading hardline newspaper Kayhan, which last month criticised Ahmadinejad over a number of controversial political decisions.
"But it has clearly understood it can't stand against a powerful Islamic Iran which saw 85 percent turnout in the election. It has realised that adopting its old methods is useless," said the paper, whose editor is appointed by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"But what is unfortunate is that some reformists are not learning from the lessons from the Satan who has deceived them," the paper said referring to Ahmadinejad's rivals who have refused to acknowledge his victory.
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
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Wednesday, August 05, 2009
If anyone thinks that the vast opposition in Iran has forgotten about Nokia/Siemens role in selling equipment to the regime which helped to track down dissidents, well, you'd be wrong.
With video goodness:
Reports that people are trying to get action together for Thursday, I'll pass it along as I hear of it.
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
The Guardian translated the text of a Farsi blogger named Mehdi Saharkhiz, who wrote earlier today about the level of force used by security in attempting to break up demonstrations today.
I was sitting in the Metro. While approaching Imam Khomeini Square, the driver said very politely: “We have to follow police orders, so we can’t stop at Baharestan and Mellat.” People started whispering.
When I emerged from the Metro the streets were full of military forces. Some had masks. Imam Square was full of special forces. Civil police were in the other streets, especially outside the mosques. They had closed Ekbatan Street.
Suddenly we heard an argument. A woman was running away. A man was chasing her and kept kicking her, until she dropped to the ground. I was very frightened. The kind of scene I witnessed make people insensitive, deaf and blind.
The woman being harassed made people boo and shout, while moving towards Jomhurii Street. They were shouting out slogans, such as “God is great” and “Death to the Dictator.”
Then we saw plain-closed police coming on their motor bikes, filming us, and pouring spray on us. We ran into an alley. A woman’s hands were burnt from the spray.
One woman shouted: "death to Khamenei". Boys as young as 15 were carrying lashes.
There was another gathering around 15th Khordad Square. and then towards Naser Khosro, people shouted "Merchants support us".
One old seller shouted to us: "American bastards!"
Someone asked "Why doesn't Bazar support us?" Another answered "because it would cost them too much".
The Bazar was as crowded and tense as Baharestan. It was full of plain-clothed police.
Back in the metro, a man asked: " Where are we supposed to gather in the evening?"
What an inauguration morning!
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
Tosali, who was 12, was at the demonstrations which took place last Thursday at Behesht Zahra cemetery, and got separated from his father. At some point, he was clubbed in the head by a police baton, and died from his injuries. Ali is believed to be the first child to die as a result of the unrest.
Government authorities refused to return his body to his family for four days.
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, Neda, vote
Defeated presidential candidate, Mehdi Karoubi, has called on the government of Iran to stop squelching democratic protests.
"Using frightening methods to suppress people will bear no result. Allow people to protest in the streets and to chant slogans ... an imposed state of security will harm our national security ... mass arrests of moderates and having such mass trials will endanger the country's national interests."
Full story from Reuters is here.
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
If there is still a great deal that you want to learn about Iran's recent history, there is a really fine three-part series by the BBC that really goes over it in depth.
You may stream or download it here, and the other two parts can be linked from the same page.
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
There is just no propaganda like state-sponsored propaganda.
Iran's PressTV, reporting on the swearing-in ceremony today, also analyzed the activity outside Parliament, which was fascinating, even though there wasn't any.
Parliament News reported that more than 5,000 security forces were guarding the downtown block while other reports said officers with sniffer dogs patrolled the area searching for possible bombs.
All shops and businesses in the area were ordered to close. Security forces had cordoned off the neighboring areas near the Majlis hours before the ceremony began, reports said.
In a separate move, Head of Tehran's metro company Jafar Rabiyi said the authorities ordered the trains not to stop at two stops near Parliament -- Baharestan and Mellat stations -- until the end of the inauguration ceremony.
Rabiyi stressed that the move was not due to any technical problems and was only because of the swearing-in ceremony, announcing that the trains would stop at regular stations after the event.
Despite the heavy security presence, opposition supporters held sporadic demonstrations in protest at the inauguration of President Ahmadinejad, who garnered almost two-thirds of the vote, repots said.
Several people were arrested and police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators, according to the reports.
However, Iranian deputy police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said the inauguration ceremony was held in a peaceful environment.
"Despite mass propaganda by satellite TV channels and foreign media calling on the people to gather in front of Majlis, no illegal protests were held [in the area]," Radan said.
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
Reuters is reporting that there are protests all over Tehran today, and the crackdown is still in effect by security forces:
"I was beaten by police who wanted to disperse protesters," said a witness, who declined to give her name.
Another witness said dozens of protesters gathered at the vicinity of Tehran's Bazaar.
"They were chanting Allah-u Akbar (God is greatest) and Mousavi we support you. But riot police dispersed them," said a witness from southern Tehran, where the Bazaar is located.
Police arrested at least 10 protesters, witnesses said.
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
The English website of Iran's parliament has summarized what Ahmadinejad said in his address today:
In his first address during his second term, the president struck a defiant tone at ‘oppressive powers’ who seek to deal with the Iranian nation through ‘interference and foul language.’ “We will resist oppressors and try to correct the global discriminatory mechanisms in order to benefit all the nations of the world,” he said.
Ahmadinejad also took a swipe at Western powers, including the United States, France and Germany, for their refusal to congratulate him on his reelection. “We heard that some of the Western leaders had decided to recognize but not congratulate the new government … Well, no one in Iran is waiting for your messages,” he said. “Iranians will neither value your scowling and bullying nor will they pay attention to your smiles and greetings.”
The ceremony was attended by 244 of Iran’s 290 lawmakers, as the Reformist faction of the Iranian Parliament had boycotted the ceremony, news reports said. The official website of the faction added that from its 70 members only 13 had taken their seats at the Majlis, while a number also walked out as the president began his address to the parliament.
Other notable figures not present at the ceremony were former president Mohammad Khatami, the head of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani and Ayatollah Mohammad-Reza Mahdavi Kani, a member of the powerful Assembly of Experts. Defeated presidential candidates, Mohsen Rezai, Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi were also absent.Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
France24 tells the story of protesters being arrested around Saei Park in the Vali-e-Asr district of Tehran. Iranians managed to free one demonstrator from his captors, the video is here:
Meanwhile, Omid Habibinia has been busy Tweeting:
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
Iran's PressTV gave an estimate on the size of the security force for today's swearing-in ceremony in Tehran:
More than 5,000 security and police forces gathered around the building of Majlis in central Tehran. Sniffer dogs were securing the area.
In any case, the video seems to indicate that this was the case, or that someone has opened the world's largest used motorcycle dealership. Still, Iranians are trying to gather:
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
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Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Columnist Trudy Rubin, has posted a very interesting read about the state of the Iranian government. From the essay:
The elderly Montazeri is a longtime critic of Iran's current leadership, but in the past has been put under house arrest and muzzled. The fact that he can now issue such stunning critiques reflects an Iranian regime uncertain how to proceed.
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, Neda, vote
Hundreds of riot police and Basij thugs are gathering near Iran's parliament as the swearing-in ceremony/farce for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has begun in Tehran. The streets leading to parliament are also being occupied by government forces, in an attempt to keep protesters from gathering.
Farda News interviewed Ahmadinejad, who made unveiled threats to the demonstrators:
"A new period has begun," he told the Association of Basiji Scholars at a meeting in Mashhad last Thursday. "Let me take the oath of office, and wait for the government to begin its work," he told the Basiji members, who are affiliated with the militiamen clubbing demonstrators in the streets.
"Then, we'll seize them by their collars and stick their heads to the ceiling," he said.
A very long day is beginning...
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
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Monday, August 03, 2009
Video from different times today of the tight security on Vali Asr Boulevard in central Tehran:
Lots of those bastards on motorcycles.
View Larger Map
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
Video of a peaceful opposition protest in what may be the central part of the capital.
Some photos here from Gooya News:
A bunch more can be seen here.
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote
A BBC report about today's ceremony and protests:
After the ceremony, witnesses said hundreds of people had attempted to hold a demonstration in Vanak Square in the north of Tehran, but that they were dispersed the Revolutionary Guards, the Basij militia and police.
One protester called Maryam told BBC Persian the protest had been peaceful and that they were attacked indiscriminately. “Plain-clothed officers started attacking people from the middle of the crowd,” she said. “People were chased away and many were beaten up. Electric batons and tear gas were being used to displace the crowd.”
There were also reports of a demonstration being prevented by riot police in Vali Asr Square. Mr. Karroubi is also said to have appeared at one rally.Additionally, Lera Setrakian of ABC News in Dubai tweeted:
A supporter says Karroubi was at today’s #iranelection protest, at Beheshti & Valiasr. Fars News wrote he participated in “illegal protest.”
“the buildup of forces around Vanak, Valiasr, Fatemi & Enghelab Square was unprecedented… fearsome.”
Labels: brutality, election, free speech, Iran, vote