Shawna Forde Gets Death Penalty

Courtesy of Reuters

I am not a fan of the death penalty as it is currently applied around the nation.  I think it is too costly and applied without equality or justice.  I don't think it is a deterrent to those who would commit crimes that supporters believe it is.  With that being said, I think this morning's jury decision to sentence domestic terrorist and former Minuteman Shawna Forde to death by lethal injection is correct.

The death penalty is the ultimate act of retribution by the state.  It is not about deterring crime and bringing closure for the victims of crime.  It is about exacting state sanctioned revenge on a person or persons for the crime they were convicted of.  Too often we ignore that fact.  We like to think we are speaking for the victim, that we are being noble.

There is nothing noble in the death penalty.  It is a brutal act that plays to our basest animal desires.  We desire revenge.  We desire retribution.  We desire the finality.  Justice and nobility play no part in our desires.

The senseless deaths of Raul Flores and his daughter, Bresenia, call out to be avenged.  The jury has heard that call and I think it has also imposed justice.  I desire no mercy for Shawna Forde.  This is one of the few times where I agree that the death penalty is just, maybe even noble.