this post was submitted on 24 Dec 2024
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Summary

President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life without parole, sparing all but three convicted of high-profile mass killings.

Biden framed the decision as a moral stance against federal executions, citing his legal background and belief in the dignity of human life.

Donald Trump criticized the move as senseless, vowing to reinstate the death penalty.

Reactions were mixed: some victims’ families condemned Biden, while others supported his decision. Human rights groups praised it as a significant step against capital punishment.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

imagine running on "the deficit" and then whining that you can't spend millions to let the state kill someone.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 day ago (2 children)

The State should not be allowed to punish someone by killing them. Capital punishment is merely revenge with the government acting as the hitman. There’s no way to prevent an innocent person from being accidentally murdered. And those 40 people are proof that it doesn’t act as an effective deterrent.

It’s a barbaric practice and we need to end it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

99% of the time yes but the Hitler fact. Assad, Putin, etc. Actual large scale crimes against humanity

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

There is an adage that says "Hard cases make bad law". In the end is a case of, what is preferred, let a guilt person go unpunished or punish an innocent person? I personally believe that it is never ok to punish an innocent person. And I think it is not even that extreme when we are talking about capital punishment or be "tough on crime", it is more like, do um prefer to under punish some guilt people or over punish others including some innocents?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Yes and No.

I agree completely in a fallible system these executions ought never exist.

However creating a framework of rules with outcomes and holding all accountable to them is the most morally / ethically benign thing we do as humans.

The state is the only ethical executor of these decisions.

BUT the system is fallible and made up of fallible people and isn’t always steered for the moral / ethical and as such your last sentence is even more truthful than even you meant it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

I don't think one should be executed if their moral framework doesn't align with the laws created by the state.

I understand why we can't do this today, but I would much prefer the exile method to execution.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

We could have had colosseum executions where inmates fight to the death, hosted by Dana White and the UFC. But no, old man Biden has to ruin the fun.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I kind of wonder if Biden is setting him up to execute Luigi and get on the wrong side of this current populist movement.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

even if he does get convicted, any execution probably won't happen in the next four years. death row appeals take a long time.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

~~The fed has nothing to do with that. He's being charged by the state of NY.~~ TIL they added on a few federal charges.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago

His incompetence killed hundreds of thousands his first term. This time he was hoping for a more direct approach. Biden spoiled his murderous fun.

[–] [email protected] 59 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Good conservative Christian’s LOVE killing!

[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Nothing says "pro life" like whining about not being able to murder someone.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I don't think the government should have the power to kill people as a punishment, with that said I'm also not upset that the sentences of these three weren't commuted.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I don't understand the reasoning. you can't say you are anti death penalty and believe in dignity and sanctity of life or whatever but then turn around and say "except for these three motherfuckers"...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I don't think the government should be able to execute them. However, I am human, they're mass murders, and it's a situation I have no control over, so I'm not going to feel bad about not feeling bad that they're still on death row. I don't get to choose how I feel, just how I act. If it were me making the decision, I'd like to think I'd have commuted their sentences as well, even though I probably would have felt bad about doing so.

Although also, thinking about your comment more, I guess I don't really care about sanctity of life or anything like that. It's more of a power problem for me. Some people deserve to be killed, however nobody should be making that judgement and following through, because it's not something that can be accurately judged. No one should have that power, especially the people in charge. When someone dies who I feel deserves it, it not going to upset me. Would I have killed them? No. Would I have prevented their death if I could? Honestly, questionable, depending on the person and situation. Is that hypocritical? I don't know, maybe. There might not be an effective difference, killing through inaction vs killing through action, but there feels like a difference to me. Life isn't black and white, I'm driven by a malfunctioning blob of meat, and I do the best I can. I take great comfort in the fact I'm never going to have to make that choice. I hope this gives you some insight into how I view things.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

i was talking about biden's statements, not yours

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh, my bad. Thanks for giving me cause for self reflection anyways

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

no worries, good talk

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[–] [email protected] 133 points 3 days ago (16 children)

When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening.

That's because like Trump, those people don't understand justice, they only understand revenge. Trump thinks literally everyone is a horrendous person who wants to wantonly murder others just like him. Control over whether someone lives or dies is the ultimate control, and the one Trump craves most. It's super clear why this is so upsetting to him, he got his favorite type of domination and control taken away. His toys.

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[–] [email protected] 62 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (45 children)

While I'm overall glad about this, leaving 3 unpardoned inmates really corrupts the "moral stance against federal executions" justification and makes it seem like he is in favor of capital punishment but only for people he thinks deserve it. It also makes it seem like he believes it's his decision to decide who gets to live and that rubs me the wrong way.

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[–] [email protected] 83 points 3 days ago (4 children)

Is trump cryingon social media about how he doesn't get to kill 37 people on Christmas eve ?

Nice move by sleepy joe i guess

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I know of onlt one western country with death penalty: Belarus. And I'm pretty sure as soon as potato dictator dies, it will be abolished.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Biden: Grants clemency indiscriminately for 1,500 people Public: Why did you let the Cash for Kids woman free Biden: Commutes death sentences selectively Public: Who made you judge, jury and executioner?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Biden: Grants clemency indiscriminately for 1,500 people indiscriminately Media: Why did you let the Cash for Kids woman free Biden: Commutes death sentences selectively Media: Who made you judge, jury and executioner?

FIFY... Real people honestly wouldn't care about any of this if the media wasn't trying to inspire outrage.

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