Moral Hypocrisy: European Union & The US Death Penalty
Dudley Sharp, independent researcher, death penalty expert, former opponent, 832-439-2113, CV at bottom
Dudley Sharp, independent researcher, death penalty expert, former opponent, 832-439-2113, CV at bottom
updated 3/2023
The majority population in most (if not all) EU countries support the death penalty for some crimes (1).
Why? Justice (2).
MORAL COMPASS
EU governments/politicians whine about the US using propofol (and other drugs) for the execution of guilty murderers (3), as Syria wipes out thousands of innocents with sarin gas, thanks to Germany (4).
EU politicians and world sanctions against Germany? Zero.
Compassion
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon decided to suspend the execution of multiple murderer Allen Nicklasson because Missouri's use of propofol for executions, prompted an EU threat to withhold propofol, thereby putting millions of innocent patients at risk - propofol use is " . . . about four-fifths of all anesthetic procedures (in the US). . . ". (5)
see crimes of Allen Nicklasson (6)
Pro death penalty Gov. Nixon was compassionate for all of the innocent patients who would be harmed had propofol been withheld as Gov. Nixon was certain that the EU and those drug companies would harm innocent patients, by withholding that drug, had Nixon allowed the execution to go forward.
Save murderers, at any cost
Anti-death penalty EU governments/politicians are much more concerned that all guilty murderers must live, than they are for innocent patients or innocent murder victims. They made their choice.
The EU and drug companies moral calculus being that it is preferable to harm millions of innocent patients in protest of those drugs being used in the executions of known guilty murderers.
Nor do they prohibit the use of drugs in the use of innocents' deaths with abortion or euthanasia, both of which are banned by the Hypocratic Oath (7) - the death penalty is not (7).
As Washington Post columnist Charles Lane observes: " . . . just when I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt, some Europeans (EU governments/politicians) go and do something irresponsible like restricting the export of sodium thiopental, an anesthetic, to the United States -- because some death penalty states use it in lethal injections. Not only is this gesture unlikely to prevent any executions -- it actually could put the lives and health of innocent Americans at risk." (8)
"After Hospira announced its decision, the American Society of Anesthesiologists issued a strongly worded statement saying it was "extremely troubled" by Hospira's forced exit from the market and criticizing the anti-death-penalty movement for "using" thiopental supplies to make a point. The doctors noted the "unfortunate irony that many more lives will be lost or put in jeopardy as a result of not having the drug available for its legitimate medical use." (8)
6.3 million murdered innocents preferred over 1300 guilty murderers executed
EU governments/politicians know that they are putting innocents at risk, in order to benefit guilty murderers. That's been an anti-death penalty staple forever - save all murderers, no matter the cost (9).
It seems that anti-death penalty EU politicians have a moral preference for guilty murderers over innocent patients or innocent murder victims, very similar to that of anti-death penalty activists in the US, whose moral/scholarly leadership has stated that if the deterrent effect of the death penalty/executions was proven that they would choose sacrificing an additional 6.3 million innocent murder victims rather than executing 1300 murderers (9).
Astounding, but true.
A human rights violation?
The EU and some others claim that the death penalty is a human rights violation. They have never proven it, nor can they.
Life, freedom, the pursuit of happiness and ownership of property may be and often are considered fundamental human rights. However, all countries find that, for those who violate the rights of others. freedom may be taken away with incarceration, property may be taken with fines or seizure of property, thankfully, happiness may be taken away from thieves, rapists and other criminals, and all countries believe that life may be taken within self defense, defense of others, in a just war, all against unjust aggressors, with many countries allowing euthanasia, abortions and about half of the countries finding that some criminals may be executed, for severe transgressions.
6.3 million murdered innocents preferred over 1300 guilty murderers executed
EU governments/politicians know that they are putting innocents at risk, in order to benefit guilty murderers. That's been an anti-death penalty staple forever - save all murderers, no matter the cost (9).
It seems that anti-death penalty EU politicians have a moral preference for guilty murderers over innocent patients or innocent murder victims, very similar to that of anti-death penalty activists in the US, whose moral/scholarly leadership has stated that if the deterrent effect of the death penalty/executions was proven that they would choose sacrificing an additional 6.3 million innocent murder victims rather than executing 1300 murderers (9).
Astounding, but true.
A human rights violation?
The EU and some others claim that the death penalty is a human rights violation. They have never proven it, nor can they.
Life, freedom, the pursuit of happiness and ownership of property may be and often are considered fundamental human rights. However, all countries find that, for those who violate the rights of others. freedom may be taken away with incarceration, property may be taken with fines or seizure of property, thankfully, happiness may be taken away from thieves, rapists and other criminals, and all countries believe that life may be taken within self defense, defense of others, in a just war, all against unjust aggressors, with many countries allowing euthanasia, abortions and about half of the countries finding that some criminals may be executed, for severe transgressions.
Why is it that the human right to life, freedom, property and happiness can be taken away, but not life taken by execution? Anti-death penalty folks have no rational argument for that. Why? Because there isn't one (9).
Anti-death penalty folks have an irrational belief that all murderers have the absolute right to life, no matter their crimes and no matter the cost. They're wrong.
Money well spent?
In 2009, the EU spent $3.6 million (US) to lobby on behalf of US murderers (11). The EU motto appears to be "Save murderers at any cost", just as it is with US based death penalty opponents (10). Should the EU spend that $3.6 million as compensation for EU murder victims' families, rather than lobbying for US murderers? Do a EU poll.
Harming Children
How bad can it get? 5 year olds are more mature than 17 year olds? Of course, says the EU.
As a matter of law, Belgium has agreed that children of any age can commit suicide (12), if they possess "the capacity of discernment" -- undoubtedly, a human rights movement that will sweep throughout the EU.
I'll take a chance, here, and say that Belgium and the EU may end up drawing the line at 5 year olds, unless they find that would violate the human rights of those children 0-4.
EU politicians were aghast that the US would allow 16-17 year old murderers to be executed, even with thorough reviews of their mental and psychological capacities.
Why? Well, because they said, no matter what, 16-17 year olds are not mature enough to be subject to such a punishment because they can't possibly discern either murder or execution - although, somehow, 16-17 year olds do discern both murder and incarceration for that murder? Really?
Anti-death penalty folks have an irrational belief that all murderers have the absolute right to life, no matter their crimes and no matter the cost. They're wrong.
Money well spent?
In 2009, the EU spent $3.6 million (US) to lobby on behalf of US murderers (11). The EU motto appears to be "Save murderers at any cost", just as it is with US based death penalty opponents (10). Should the EU spend that $3.6 million as compensation for EU murder victims' families, rather than lobbying for US murderers? Do a EU poll.
Harming Children
How bad can it get? 5 year olds are more mature than 17 year olds? Of course, says the EU.
As a matter of law, Belgium has agreed that children of any age can commit suicide (12), if they possess "the capacity of discernment" -- undoubtedly, a human rights movement that will sweep throughout the EU.
I'll take a chance, here, and say that Belgium and the EU may end up drawing the line at 5 year olds, unless they find that would violate the human rights of those children 0-4.
EU politicians were aghast that the US would allow 16-17 year old murderers to be executed, even with thorough reviews of their mental and psychological capacities.
Why? Well, because they said, no matter what, 16-17 year olds are not mature enough to be subject to such a punishment because they can't possibly discern either murder or execution - although, somehow, 16-17 year olds do discern both murder and incarceration for that murder? Really?
Now that Belgium and, soon, the EU, are to agree that some children, of any age, are mature enough to off themselves, I guess the EU and those US Supreme Court Judges will have to change their opinions on the 16-17 year old murderers. Right? Well, no. Hypocrisy will rule the day.
All of a sudden, 5-17 year olds are more than capable of offing themselves, because they are mature enough. I guess mental and psychological maturity is dependent on the type of killing - or, at least, that is the only "rational" for their illogic.
But, of course, the EU finds that 5 year olds have the discernment to decide their own suicide.
EU politicians could not see that some 16-17 year old murderers may be more mature than many 18 year olds, just as many non-murderous 16 and 17 years are, as the rest of us know.
But, 5 year olds? Of course.
Some idiotic US Supreme Court judges used that same illogic in Roper v Simmons, based upon EU sensibilities, to outlaw the execution of any 16-17 year old murderers, regardless of how mature they are and regardless that the rest of us, with some sense, know than many 16-17 year olds are more mature, in every way, than are many 18 year olds.
All of a sudden, 5-17 year olds are more than capable of offing themselves, because they are mature enough. I guess mental and psychological maturity is dependent on the type of killing - or, at least, that is the only "rational" for their illogic.
But, of course, the EU finds that 5 year olds have the discernment to decide their own suicide.
EU politicians could not see that some 16-17 year old murderers may be more mature than many 18 year olds, just as many non-murderous 16 and 17 years are, as the rest of us know.
But, 5 year olds? Of course.
Some idiotic US Supreme Court judges used that same illogic in Roper v Simmons, based upon EU sensibilities, to outlaw the execution of any 16-17 year old murderers, regardless of how mature they are and regardless that the rest of us, with some sense, know than many 16-17 year olds are more mature, in every way, than are many 18 year olds.
All US criminal cases are supposed to evaluate
suspects/criminals, individually, not collectively.
Prof. Kontorovich writes: " . . . a system that permits the euthanasia of innocent 12 year-olds but not the punishment of guilty 17-year-olds is one that exalts autonomy without culpability." So it comes out that the juveniles cannot really make accountable decisions when it comes to killing people, unless it is themselves. Or to put it differently, Belgium will not hold children responsible when they hurt others, but gives them free license to hurt themselves." (12)
Undoubtedly, the EU will, someday, make child suicide a human right.
Complete moral bankruptcy. Nothing new.
1) 86% US Death Penalty Support: Highest Ever - April 2013
Prof. Kontorovich writes: " . . . a system that permits the euthanasia of innocent 12 year-olds but not the punishment of guilty 17-year-olds is one that exalts autonomy without culpability." So it comes out that the juveniles cannot really make accountable decisions when it comes to killing people, unless it is themselves. Or to put it differently, Belgium will not hold children responsible when they hurt others, but gives them free license to hurt themselves." (12)
Undoubtedly, the EU will, someday, make child suicide a human right.
Complete moral bankruptcy. Nothing new.
1) 86% US Death Penalty Support: Highest Ever - April 2013
World Support Remains
High
95% of Murder Victim's Family Members
95% of Murder Victim's Family Members
Support The Death
Penalty
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2013/11/86-death-penalty-support-highest-ever.html
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2013/11/86-death-penalty-support-highest-ever.html
2) 600+ pro death penalty quotes from murder victim's families &
3300+ from some of the greatest thinkers in history
3) German firm halts US exports over execution drug row, Oman Tribune
http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=news&id=153288&heading=Europe
4) Report: Germany gave Syria ingredients for deadly gas in 2011
http://www.jpost.com/International/Report-Germany-gave-Syria-ingredients-for-deadly-gas-in-2011-327964
5) "Use of anesthetic propofol in executions might cut supply", The Denver Post, Jim Salter (AP), 9/29/2013
http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_24194351/use-anesthetic-propofol-executions-might-cut-supply
6) Crimes of Allen Nicklasson: His many (known) murders: On a drive to buy drugs, Allen Nicklasson's car broke down. Richard Drummond stopped to help, was kidnapping, robbed and murdered by Nicklasson. In a later incident, both Joseph Babcock, 47, and his wife, Charlene, 38 also tried to assist Nicklasson, who robbed and murdered them both. During a string of additional robberies, Nicklasson murdered an unnamed waitress in Mexico (7). These are the murders we know of.
Murderpedia, Allen Nicklasson, http://murderpedia.org/male.N/n/nicklasson-allen.htm
7) Physicians & The State Execution of Murderers: No Medical Ethics Dilemma
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/10/physicians-state-execution-of-murderers.html
8) "Europe's dangerous death penalty gesture", By Charles Lane, Washington Post, 2:39 PM ET, 02/ 1/2011,
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2011/02/europes_dangerous_death_penalt.html
9) The Death Penalty: Not a Human Rights Violation within
The Death Penalty: Fair and Just
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2013/12/is-death-peanalty-fairjust.html
10) The Death Penalty: Do Innocents Matter?
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-death-penalty-do-innocents-matter.html
11) "The European Union gives millions in taxpayers’ money to anti-death penalty groups in America", By Nile Gardiner, World, THE TELEGRAPH, Last updated: March 2nd, 2011
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/nilegardiner/100078360/the-european-union-gives-millions-in-taxpayers%E2%80%99-money-to-anti-death-penalty-groups-in-america/
12) What Belgium’s child euthanasia law means for America and the Constitution, Washington Post, 02/13/2014
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2013/12/is-death-peanalty-fairjust.html
10) The Death Penalty: Do Innocents Matter?
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-death-penalty-do-innocents-matter.html
11) "The European Union gives millions in taxpayers’ money to anti-death penalty groups in America", By Nile Gardiner, World, THE TELEGRAPH, Last updated: March 2nd, 2011
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/nilegardiner/100078360/the-european-union-gives-millions-in-taxpayers%E2%80%99-money-to-anti-death-penalty-groups-in-america/
12) What Belgium’s child euthanasia law means for America and the Constitution, Washington Post, 02/13/2014
Belgium minor first to be granted euthanasia, BBC, 9/17/2016
Belgian Children Being Euthanized, Canada Also Embraces Culture of Legally Assisted Suicide STEVE WARREN, CBN, 12-10-2022
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600+ pro death penalty quotes from murder victim's families &
3300+ from some of the greatest thinkers in history
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Victim Services
Victims' Voices
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Additional research,w/sources, w/fact checking/vetting & critical thinking, as required of everyone.
The Death Penalty: Justice & Saving More Innocents
and
Students, Academics & Journalists: Death Penalty Research
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Partial CV