Flawed Reasoning for Opposing the Death Penalty

ACT MP Law & Order spokesman David Garrett writes on his blog about why the death penalty would not work in New Zealand in response to an article by Cactus Kate calling for the death penalty to be introduced with recent posterboys including psychopath Clayton Weatherston who killed his girlfriend by stabbing her 216 times.

As some readers will know, I have in the past (prior to my involvement with ACT) advocated a return of the death penalty for our worst murderers – the Bells, the Rufus Marsh’s  and the Burtons.

After ten years reflection, I have now changed my view somewhat. While most people wouldn’t have much of a problem if Bell or Burton were executed, as a matter of public policy it becomes very problematic.

Having lived in a country where the death penalty remains on the books as a discretionary sentence for murder, I can say with some certainty that one of the results of having a capital sentence even as an option  is what lawyers call “perverse verdicts” by juries unwilling to convict because they know or believe the person concerned will be executed, and they cannot cope with that on their collective conscience.

The question of whether or not the death penalty would be enforceable or workable should come after the discussion on its justification. To rule out bringing in the death penalty because some juries were emotionally compromised is a pragmatic response to the issue. Garrett states that life without parole (LWOP) is probably a worse penalty than being sentenced to death, and he's probably right - but a worse penalty for who? With New Zealand's tax-payer funded prison system, incarceration is merely a no-frills holiday with a varying range of lifestyle options including low-paid work, education and drug-use. That's not to trivialise some of the abuse that goes on within prisons however the real question here is, why should society suffer twice at the hands of the offender. First when the offender commits a crime deemed worthy of LWOP, and then second when they pay for his existence until death.

The Abortion of a Pro-Lifer

Jim (James Lawrence) Pouillon, 63, of Owosso

On 11 September 2009, Jim was murdered as he sat outside an abortion clinic, protesting the injustice being carrried out behind its doors as he had been doing for many years. The president of the pro-life group Jim was a member of described him as, "just a nice, elderly gentleman who was disabled, used an oxygen tank and wore leg braces." The murderer shot Jim several times to kill him - a comparatively quick and painless death when compared with the slow and brutal methods of killing unborn babies he was standing up for. Jim has saved many babies' lives and many women from the harm of abortion - but finally paid the ultimate price, something he had said he was prepared to do long before. Read more.

What a legend.

Prolife Violence In Perspective

LifeSiteNews has compiled a list of facts that should be taken into consideration as we examine the implications of the killing of George Tiller. Below are the first four points from their list...

1. George Tiller is the first abortionist to be killed in eleven years. If you think that's a "trend,” or an “epidemic” as some have said, you're just not a serious person.
2. All of the posturing going on in the pro-abortion movement over the safety of abortionists is a ruse. There are four times as many hairdressers and 150 times as many convenience store clerks murdered as there are abortionists. Where is the “pro-choice” grieving over them?
3. George Tiller made his money performing late-term abortions, which often involves the killing of a viable human being. According to Kansas state statistics, he killed 395 viable third-trimester babies in one year – 2001 – all for “mental health” reasons (which, as we know, is the category for all elective abortions). Not one of those abortions was for a mother’s physical health or for a medical emergency. Americans overwhelmingly believe this disgusting practice should not be legal. If any objective journalist were to look into his practice they would see that most people, and all sane people, are appalled by what happened in his clinic every day.
4. Tiller has been tried on criminal indictments for multiple abuses of his practice, including breaking state laws requiring another medical doctor to verify that certain patients' lives were at risk before performing late-term abortions. This man was no hero or saint, and his being held up as a martyr says more about pro-abortionists than it does about those they are trying to condemn.h

Click here to continue reading the article. For eye-opening documentation of violence carried out by members of the anti-life camp, visit www.prochoiceviolence.com.

hat tip: Semper Vita

Cherishsiliala Tahuri-Wright

Three-year-old Cherishsiliala Tahuri-Wright died from severe head injuries on 17 February. The police have charged a 56-year-old woman with her murder. The day following the incident, the Manawatu Standard reported, "A neighbour who saw the girl laying in a bed at her grandmother's house said she was bruised, bloodied and gasping for breath."

And yet, rather than focus on the depravity of the low-life who bashed up this helpless little girl and left her to die of her wounds, the majority of the media goes on a witch-hunt after the St John Ambulance service. The deputy-mayor of Poriru-cum-family spokeswoman said, "It really pisses me off to think they dicked around for a couple of hours while a little girl was dying," said family spokeswoman and Porirua Deputy Mayor Litea Ah Hoi. You don't have to be Einstein to work out a child with head injuries has to go straight to hospital any parent would know that instinctively." - Stuff .Where's the outrage over the brutatlity against this little girl? There is a lot of attention paid to the alleged pathetic response time by the ambulance service, while the murder itself is brushed over.

However the man heading up the murder inquiry, Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan had a different view on the incident and said that "the ambulance response had been first rate". He understood the delay was because of the time it took to stabilise Cherish for transport. - TVNZ

In his usual irreverent style, Whaleoil commented back in March "She was also doomed by her first name, continuing the trend of tragic circumstances befalling people with silly first names." Obviously Cherishsiliala did not die because she has a silly name, but Whaleoil is pointing out that a high percentage of child abuse victims do have less than desirable names. The naming of children is not something that you would want to legislate on - at least within the bounds of decency. Nonetheless, giving a child a ridiculous name does them a decided disservice.

Dave at Big News looks at three hypotheses as to the cause of Cherishsilial's death. He concludes,

Then there is a third hypothesis. She was killed by a relative after that relative gave her severe head injuries. That relative has been charged with murder and is now in custody. Had her relative not given her severe head injuries, the the ambulance would not need to have been called. They would not have need to have "dicked around" trying to stabilise the poor kid her due to her horrific - and later fatal - injuries before taking her to hospital. Had Ah Hoi's relative not given this kid severe head injuries, the little girl would be alive today.

Which is the whole point. But our government doesn't get it. Instead of toughening up on sentencing for violent crimes, and adoption ACT's 3 Strikes and You're Out policy, Minister of Health Tony Ryall announces just over a month after the anniversary of this girl's murder that the government will be injecting $10 million into the ambulance sector. - InfoNews

Feeling Lucky?

...well, do ya punk? Not if you know that every other teacher at the school is carrying a gun and knows how to use it.

Charl van Wyk at WND.com presents the option of arming school-teachers,

By the time a 17-year-old gunman had finished his wild shooting spree at a school near Stuttgart, Germany, this week, at least nine young pupils and three teachers lay dead. Only after fleeing the scene, with the police in hot pursuit, and a final shootout with authorities, was the attacker finally killed
Could an armed teacher have made a difference? Of course. Surely a teacher with a gun in the hand would have been better than a cop on the phone. The incident proves what has long been known: The only person who can stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun – nobody else will be of much help

Related posts:
Call to ban GTA4 in NZ
33 murdered students, elephant, video games
25 years murder-free in 'Gun Town USA'

The Example of Guido de Brès

I was reading about Guido de Brès - Author of the Belgic Confession earlier this evening.  This is one of the confessions that the Reformed Church of New Zealand holds to. When I picked up my JohnMac Bible later on, looking for some good verses to put in a Birthday card, I thought I would read Romans 8.  The second half of Romans 8 is an absolute goldmine of encouragement for Christians.  Here's a few excerpts...

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Guido de Brès understood these truths, and he lived by them.  He persevered with preaching from the Bible in secret, and in great danger.  Below is a description of his persecution and ultimate martyrdom by the Roman Catholic authorities. (You can read the entire brief biography at this page )

de Brès spent the first part of his captivity in a prison in Doornik, where he could receive visitors. Many of his visitors, however, were enemies who came to taunt him. But just as was the case with the apostle Paul (Philippians 1:12-14), Guido's imprisonment became an occasion for him to witness to the truth. When a princess, along with many young court ladies, came to mock, and the princess said in horror at Guido's heavy chains, "My God, Mr. de Brès, I don't see how you can eat, drink, or sleep that way. I think I would die of fear, if I were in your place," Guido responded: "My lady, the good cause for which I suffer and the good conscience God has given me make my bread sweeter and my sleep sounder than those of my persecutors." And, then, still responding to the princess, "It is guilt that makes a chain heavy. Innocence makes my chains light. I glory in them as my badges of honor."

Soon Guido was transferred to Valenciennes and thrown into a dark, cold, damp, rat-infested dungeon known as The Black Hole. In spite of the cold, the hunger, the horror of this hole, Guido wrote a tract on the Lord's Supper and letters to his friends, his aged mother, and his wife. A letter to his wife is an especially moving testimony of his faith.

My dear and well-beloved wife in our Lord Jesus.
Your grief and anguish are the cause of my writing you this letter. I most earnestly pray you not to be grieved beyond measure . . . . We knew when we married that we might not have many years together, and the Lord has graciously given us seven. If the Lord had wished us to live together longer, he could easily have caused it to be so. But such was not his pleasure. Let his good will be done . . . . Moreover, consider that I have not fallen into the hands of my enemies by chance, but by the providence of God . . . . All these considerations have made my heart glad and peaceful, and I pray you, my dear and faithful companion, to be glad with me, and to thank the good God for what he is doing, for he does nothing but what is altogether good and right . . . . I pray you then to be comforted in the Lord, to commit yourself and your affairs to him, he is the husband of the widow and the father of the fatherless, and he will never leave nor forsake you . . . .
Good-bye, Catherine, my well-beloved! I pray my God to comfort you, and give you resignation to his holy will. Your faithful husband, Guido de Brès.

Guido was publicly hanged on May 31, 1567 at the age of 47. He was pushed off the ladder while comforting the crowd which had gathered and urging them to faithfulness to the Scriptures. His body was left hanging the rest of the day and buried in a shallow grave where dogs and wild animals dug it up and consumed it.

- from www.prca.org

Romans 8:35-39 reads...
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That pretty much covers everything... Nothing can separate us (Christians) from God's love - whatever befalls us; even if we should die, it is God's will - and for good, so we have nothing to worry about.

A Tradition of Infant Genocide

As we sit around our warm living-rooms this Christmas opening presents, reading letters from distant friends and relatives, and filling ourselves with all kinds of extravagant delicacies, let us be sure not to forget just how privileged we are.  In a society now more than ever conditioned to embracing the culture of death, we must count ourselves fortunate to have survived.

When Pharaoh, king of Egypt realised that the enslaved nation of Israel was growing bigger and stronger, he employed two methods - one after the other, in an attempt to cut down on the Israelites' population growth.  Pharaoh said the the Hebrew midwives, When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live."  The midwives trusted God however, and disobeyed Pharaoh, claiming that by the time they got to the women, their babies were already born.  Pharaoh stepped up his assault on the people of God, with an evil command... “Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.” - Exodus 1:15-22
As we know, Moses escaped the fate of so many other baby boys at that time; he was adopted by the Princess of Egypt and later came to lead the people of God out of the land of bondage, and into the Promised Land.

Approximately 1,500 years later when Herod, king of Israel heard of the birth of Jesus Christ, he immediately ordered all boys aged two and under to be put to be killed. He hoped this way to be able to have Jesus killed and thereby destroy Christianity.

[King Herod] sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more.”
- Matthew 2:16-18

Again, God ruled over this situation and baby Jesus was rushed off to Egypt until news came of the evil King Herod's death, at which time Joseph, Mary and young Jesus moved back to Galilee.

And today in the country that our National Anthem declares is Our Free Land, more that fifty babies are being systematically murdered everyday.  Worldwide, 120,000 unborn babies have their lives brutally cut short by the machine that is abortion.  It will come as a surprise to most people, to hear that the abortion rate in Russia , for instance, is 60 abortions per 100 pregnancies.  As in the past, so to in our time, it is widely acknowledged that abortion is wrong, that it does indeed take the life of an innocent child.  However, this truth is forcibly ignored for the sake of convenience, and an end which is seen to justify the means - however awful or immoral.

Whether a baby is killed before it is born (abortion), during birth (partial-birth-abortion), or after birth (infanticide), it is unquestionably wrong. I struggle to even put these poor words together; how can my mind even begin to grasp the unbelievable horror of abortion?  You can disagree with abortion, but to leave it at that is unthinkable.  2009 is just around the corner.  I encourage you to make a New Years' resolution to stand up for the helpless innocents , to do whatever is in your power to bring an end to this greatest injustice in the history of the world.

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein

To Heck with Tasers

...arm all New Zealand policemen with guns.

46-year-old Sergeant Don Wilkinson and his 44-year-old colleague ran for their lives down the road being chased by two men. What has New Zealand come to, when the symbol of justice; the police-force is chased down the road, helpless and un-armed. As they ran, they radioed for assistance. Sadly, they were too late, and the men caught up with them and trapped them. Don was shot in the heart and died instantly. His fellow police-officer was assaulted and received multiple gun-shot-wounds. He is currently in Middlemore Hospital recieving surgery.

Click here for the Herald's coverage of this tragic story.

Murdered: unarmed Police Sergeant, Don Wilkinson

What are they going to tell Don's family? "Sorry kids... your dad worked hard to defend innocent people and apprehend and arrest criminals. He died because (embarassed cough)... well, he should have been wearing his bullet-proof vest..." And what is going to happen to the two men that have been arrested and charged with the murder of Don and the assault (attempted murder) of his colleague?

For even daring to shoot at a police officer, they should receive a life sentence of hard labour. For killing a police officer, they should be hung.

But what will happen? A typically soft sentence will be handed down - a slap over the wrist with a wet bus-ticket for the murderer. And then let him out on bail after he's completed part of his sentence, because "prison's aren't the answer", and they're over-crowded anyway.

Four-Month-Old Baby Brutalised

"A four-month-old boy was taken to Auckland's Middlemore Hospital on Saturday night (2 August) from his home in Papakura with critical head injuries which police said were non-accidental."  He is now fighting for his life in the same hospital which the horribly abused Kahui twins were taken to, but later died.  "The baby's parents, aged 18 and 19, reside in a rundown home where parties were always being held and people came and went at all hours."  Yeah, well that's going to help isn't it.  "Yesterday, empty beer bottles lay on the unmown lawn with other rubbish."  More detail on this case at www.stuff.co.nz.

FOUR MONTHS OLD!  What animals could have done this to the poor defenceless little baby?  I am sick and tired of the same old, worn out knee-jerk reactions to New Zealand's disgusting and ongoing child-abuse problem.  The Anti-Smacking law is just one pathetic example of a beurocratic, "feel-good" law which has been forced upon New Zealand.  It does nothing to stop real child abuse while at the same time criminalising all good parents who smack their children occasionally, throwing them into the same basket as the low-life that killed the Kahui twins, 3yr old Nia and Coral Burrows.

Darren Rickard at Political Animal says,

"It is perverse that Cindy and her extreme socialist mates in the Labour Party have the whole thing back to front. That is socialism for you though. By its very nature it is dangerous, perverse, backwards, doesn't make sense and has led to much misery and eventually death, everywhere it has been practiced. The 4 month old boy joins a long list of New Zealand child abuse victims. Despite the Labour led Government spending more than NZ 14 million on anti-violence campaigns, at least three children under the age of 5 have died at the hands of parents or others this year. Many others have been seriously injured and the removal of section 59 just sits there blowing nakedly in the breeze, as a reminder of how thoughtless its proponents were. Hang your heads anti smacking zealots, your law is a resounding failure but the sensible among us, the majority of kiwis, already knew it would be before it was passed."

Kneejerk Expected from Double Homicide

Police were called to Harold Holt Ave, Napier at 12.25am after residents reported hearing gunshots. A woman was found dead on the footpath with gunshot wounds. A man was found nearby, still alive, but with similar injuries. The man was rushed to hospital, but died soon after being admitted.  Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Dewhirst said that it was too early  to say if anyone else was involved, and police were not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting.
(Report compiled from Stuff, Newstalk ZB and TVNZ)

This sounds too much like a double homicide.  A man and a women who both died from bullet wounds, and found lying on the sidewalk by Police in the early hours of the morning.  :( It's hard to comprehend, two people coughing out their last breaths, lying on the cold hard tarceal outside their home while, about 700km south, I was blithely going about my life here in Christchurch.

The inevitable knee-jerk reaction will come, a public outcry followed up by proposals of further tightening of our gun-laws.  Instead of focussing on the crime of the murderer, the Government is likely to look into passing some new legislation which will punish everyone else in New Zealand who didn't commit the murder.  It's quite simple, find the low-life who did this, and hang him.

Google News will keep you updated on this tragic case.

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Update (3/8/08):
- Case may be homicide/suicide - NZ Herald
- Police have identified the victims as 61 year old Stephen Webby and 39 year old Annette Pollock. - Newstalk ZB