I just read a headline on my new thin screen elevated television. My Christmas gift from my children. Pixels on my old T.V. were breaking apart . It was disconcerting. I watched mainly in the evening .
Apparently a court will decide whether Oklahoma's method of execution violates inmate residents of Oklahoma of their Constitutional Rights.
Imagine that!
The only thing I think I know but am not absolutely certain is the American Constitution guarantees to citizens is the right to Life, Liberty and Prosperity..
Obviously if States have a right to execute , the right to Life Liberty and Prosperity may well be a hollow promise.
The argument might be Constitutional Rights can be forfeit.
Point granted.
Is that in the Constitution?
Is there a right to define a method of execution too.
What about children in school? Are they entitled to a guarantee of Life Liberty and Prosperity ? Or not?
Obviously not.
Any disturbed citizen has a right under the constitution to obtain high powered weapons for the purpose of killing the greatest number before they can be stopped, kill themselves or both simultaneously.
Yes, it will be an interesting decision.
The closest thing Canadians have to the U.S. Constitution is the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
I think American children learn the Constitution in class rooms.
I'm not sure Canadian children learn the words and meaning of the Charter .
Maybe it a doesn't matter because the Charter counts for nothing.
People are not executed.
DNA can be recovered.
Mistakes can be rectified.
Guilt can be determined by evidence not judgement.
Monday, 22 December 2014
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7 comments:
I think our legal system is modestly better than the American. The fact that we no longer execute people
appears to be under pressure in Canada but we have made so damn many mistakes about " clear guilt " that it would be folly to go backwards.
Capital punishment is barbaric, and unworthy of a Western democracy.
Well, that's certainly a change.
Nice one.
18:10
I concede your point but wonder that we tolerate solitary confinement for long , long periods.
The words "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" are contained in the Declaration of Independence.
The American Constitution spells out the structure of government, i.e. the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches, with appropriate rights and responsibilities.
There is a similar word. My aunt Maude used to get pixilated at Christmas every year,
The words, "All men are created equal" are also included in the American Declaration of Independence - of course, many of the signatories were slave owners, so not really *all* men.
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