Juvenile Death Penalty
By Deanna Spingola
4 March 2005

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On Tuesday, 1 March 2005 the Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling, outlawed the death penalty for juvenile criminals under the age of 18. In a 5/4 decision the court determined that there is a national consensus that such executions are unconstitutionally cruel and that it represented cruel and unusual punishment when inflicted on those who committed crimes as 16 and 17-year-olds. It was also their contention that the international community had condemned this practice. This ruling was cheered by opponents of the death penalty.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote the opinion for the court said: “It is proper that we acknowledge the overwhelming weight of international opinion against the juvenile death penalty, resting in large part on the understanding that the instability and emotional imbalance of young people may often be a factor in the crime.” However, the voice of common sense on the Supreme Court, Justice Antonin Scalia argued that the majority opinion was based on the “flimsiest of grounds.” He further stated the “The appropriateness of capital punishment should be determined by individual states, not “the subjective views of five members of this court and like-minded foreigners.”

This decision gives license to pre 18 year olds to do anything they want without suffering the consequences. Teen gang members may now commit their drive-bys without fear of capitol punishment. This, plus the onslaught of criminals crossing our southern borders will give America anything but security. So now, thanks to our politicians, we have a useless department of homeland security to suck up tax dollars and a runaway Supreme Court that are clearly corrupting the law to the destruction of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for regular law abiding citizens. The floodgate of murder and mayhem that will undoubtedly be unleashed on America will surely necessitate an SS style federal police force to harass the law abiding citizens.

The chaotic results of this decision will surely lead the court to conveniently attempt to deprive Americans the right to bare arms. This is an attempt to create the crisis that they already have the remedy for. It has long been primary on the socialistic agenda as well as the Communist Manifesto to deprive citizens of the right to bear arms. And many are certainly aware of the socialistic agenda of five members of the court: John Paul Stevens, David H. Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Anthony Kennedy.

Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976 the court has continued to narrow the scope of the death penalty. Executions of individuals who committed crimes at 15 or younger were outlawed in 1988. This most recent decision further empowers the court to abolish all future capitol punishment on the grounds that it constitutes cruel and indecent punishment. Ultimately anyone will be able to do anything to anyone without suffering the consequences and accepting responsibility for their actions.

This decision overturns the 1989 high court ruling and throws out the death sentences of 72 convicted murderers. In addition this decision also bars states, which actually have the death penalty responsibilities, from executing future murderers under 18. The Supreme Court has again overstepped states rights. Where are the checks and balances that supposedly exist in this republic? When are the activist judges going to be reigned in? They are not interpreting but promoting their socialistic agendas to the detriment of the country. Interestingly 7 of the 9 judges are republican - so much for republicans being the conservative party of family values.

So in addition to the date of 22 January 1973 which is the date that sanctioned the slaughter of innocent pre born babies we can now add 1 March 2005 as one in which the Supreme Court has corrupted and overstepped their authority. Like Roe versus Wade, a single case, opened a flood gate of infanticide, this case will give license to terrorists, gang members, angry neighbors, irate drivers, abusive boy friends, and classmates with a grudge etc. Invariably what currently affects only 72 convicts will ultimately affect thousands. Somehow the high court places more value on convicted murderers than on their victims because of age.

Justice Anthony Kennedy stated that many juveniles lack maturity and intellectual development to understand the ramifications of their actions. Since when is maturity a prerequisite for executing the consequences of one’s actions? This issue should only affect those who are completely incapable of knowing right from wrong. The truly mentally retarded rarely ever commit the kinds of crimes that the 72 convicted murderers did. Many of these convicted criminals have been found guilty of brutal multiple murders.

Common sense and moral responsibility is missing with this high court decision. Currently a lower court is considering the possibility of slow starvation for Terry Schiavo by removal of her feeding tube. This is at the request of her husband who wants to get on with his life after blowing the medical insurance money received for her care. Since 1973 44 million babies have been relegated to the murderous abortionist and his gruesome tools of death. Terry Schiavo is helpless and vulnerable. 44 million babies were helpless and vulnerable. And the highest court in the land wants to save convicted murderers and show no compassion or regard for the victims of these ruthless criminals? The court has taken leave of their moral judgment, common sense and decency. It is the same lack of common sense as requiring permission from a parent to give a student aspirin but not informing the parents if that same student is pregnant and wants to get an abortion.

Crime should be punished. Everyone has a conscience and should be able to comprehend right and wrong. Poverty and other rationalizations are no excuse for barbaric behavior towards others. The blood of millions of slaughtered babies stains this land. Now the cries of innocent victims and their families will be heard in the heavens - thanks to the highest court in the land and the spineless politicians who allow their corrupt interpretations.

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