The Iraq war's tumultous aftermath has given rise to another unusual situation. The Bush administration, hardly the champion of human rights and compassion, is working hard to save Saddam Hussein's former vice president Taha Yassin Ramadan from execution. Ramadan was first sentenced to life imprisonment by the Iraqi trial court. Subsequently the appeals court ruled that the punishment was too lenient for the ex-Baathist and sentenced him to die by hanging. George Bush now wants to spare his life.
This is the same Bush during whose six year term as governor, Texas saw more than 150 executions! With customary arrogance Bush claimed that not a single innocent man or woman was wrongfully executed under his watch. In an interview with conservative reporter Tucker Carlson. he even mocked convicted killer Karla Fay Tucker's pathetic plea for mercy by imitating her in a squeaky voice ("Please don't kill me") ! Texas' forensic labs have since then been found to be woefully lacking in care andcompetence. Several convictions of death row inmates have been overturned and mistrials declared on the basis of shoddy forensics and poor advocacy by public defenders. Aided by his current Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, who used to be his legal counsel, Bush turned down 99% of clemency requests as Texas governor.
Bush's callous disregard for human life has not abated during his presidency. Apart from the death and destruction he has unleashed in Iraq, his administration, ably aided by his loyal henchman Gonzales in the Justice Department, has pushed for death penalties for federal prisoners even in states that do not have capital punishment. Legal aid lawyers who argue against the death penalty have been threatened with funding cuts. Yet the same Bush administration has hired attorneys to argue against Taha Yassin Ramadan's death penalty. Why the baffling change of heart? It appears that the Bushies are afraid of an embarrassing public fiasco akin to Saddam's execution which shocked the civilized world and the gruesome garrotting death of his half brother as a result of hanging. Hence the opposition to the death penalty of Ramadan. It is a public relations matter and not because the milk of human kindness is suddenly coursing through Bush's hardened veins !
U.S. officials are working to spare Saddam Hussein's former vice president from a rapid trip to the Iraqi gallows, fearful that his execution, following the flawed hangings of Mr. Hussein and a co-defendant, could further damage the credibility of the American-backed government.
The former vice president, Taha Yassin Ramadan, was among seven officials -- including Mr. Hussein -- convicted in November by the Iraqi High Tribunal, an Iraqi-run court established by the U.S. to try members of the ousted regime. The trial court imposed a life sentence, but an appeals court in December directed that Mr. Ramadan be executed.
"We've had two botched executions," said a senior administration official in Washington. "We would like to prevent additional debacles."
So, the prospect of a debacle is what is driving this uncharacteristic show of mercy by the US government - Iraqis can't be trusted to competently execute prisoners. Does Bush believe that there are no botched executions in the US? His own brother knows better. (See more details here about execution by lethal injection) The difference is that there are no cell phone videos of US prisoners dying painfully as there was of Saddam's hanging. CNN does not endlessly broadcast the death throes of prisoners strapped to the gurney. And what we don't see, doesn't amount to a debacle.
Book Recommendation - This book changed my views about the Death Penalty and is a heartfelt story. "Journey Toward Justice" Now on Amazon.com as Top Seller, Published by Seven Locks Press 2006 by Dennis Fritz is a memoir and John Grisham calls Compelling and Fascinating. Dennis Fritz is the real character in John's Grisham's Book The Innocent Man. The Innocent Man mostly is about his co-defendant Ronnie Williamson who was sentenced to death. Dennis Fritz who was sentenced to life behind bars and Ronnie Williamson were exonerated in 1999 after 12 desperate and tortuous years in prison, Ronnie Williamson passed away a few years later.. Thanks to The Innocence Project and Barry Scheck who were helpful in getting DNA testing needed that proved Fritz was innocent after serving 12 years in prison.. Dennis Fritz does not want only to be known as the man who was wrongly imprisoned for a murder with NO evidence against him. This story would interest everyone who has, are going to have a career in Law.
There is much more to his story never told before in his book. He says he witnessed miracles and actually heard God's voice telling him "TRUST ME". He solely relied on faith in God to make it through. This Book will make you think, This can happen to anyone of us. A Great book showing what Faith, Love and Hope can do.. .. Miracles.
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Posted by: Barbara | February 12, 2007 at 09:43 AM
Trackbacks aren't working, but I wanted you to know this post has been chosen for the Carnival of the Liberals - Thanks!
Posted by: The Ridger | February 14, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Thank you, Ridger.
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Posted by: Ruchira Paul | February 14, 2007 at 11:19 AM