this post was submitted on 24 Dec 2024
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Summary

President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life without parole, sparing all but three convicted of high-profile mass killings.

Biden framed the decision as a moral stance against federal executions, citing his legal background and belief in the dignity of human life.

Donald Trump criticized the move as senseless, vowing to reinstate the death penalty.

Reactions were mixed: some victims’ families condemned Biden, while others supported his decision. Human rights groups praised it as a significant step against capital punishment.

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[–] normalexit@lemmy.world 1 points 17 minutes ago

We could have had colosseum executions where inmates fight to the death, hosted by Dana White and the UFC. But no, old man Biden has to ruin the fun.

[–] Chef@sh.itjust.works 1 points 27 minutes ago

The State should not be allowed to punish someone by killing them. Capital punishment is merely revenge with the government acting as the hitman. There’s no way to prevent an innocent person from being accidentally murdered. And those 40 people are proof that it doesn’t act as an effective deterrent.

It’s a barbaric practice and we need to end it.

[–] crossdl@leminal.space 8 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

I kind of wonder if Biden is setting him up to execute Luigi and get on the wrong side of this current populist movement.

[–] AstridWipenaugh@lemmy.world 3 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago) (1 children)

~~The fed has nothing to do with that. He's being charged by the state of NY.~~ TIL they added on a few federal charges.

[–] King_Bob_IV@startrek.website 1 points 5 hours ago

He is also being charged federally. And that is the capital case.

[–] MapleEngineer@lemmy.world 6 points 8 hours ago

His incompetence killed hundreds of thousands his first term. This time he was hoping for a more direct approach. Biden spoiled his murderous fun.

[–] dariusj18@lemmy.world 3 points 7 hours ago (2 children)

People forgetting Biden is Catholic, and Catholicism is pretty anti-death penalty.

[–] ChildeHarold@lemm.ee -1 points 51 minutes ago

Yes. Also, pardoning your sex-crazed drug addict son is very Catholic. As is pathological lying (claiming to lose his son in Iraq when he actually died of a glioblastoma in 2015, or claiming to have formed the QUAD when in actuality it was Trump who formed it; the list goes on). Also, sniffing a young girl's hair on national television is very Catholic (this last one is actually semi-serious).

Joking aside, if you think Biden is acting out of any religious sincerity, you clearly don't understand much about politicians. They're all carpet baggers. They'll say whatever they have to say to get the Christian/Catholic or Jewish vote etc.

[–] aphlamingphoenix@lemm.ee 11 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Tell that to my Catholic trumper parents.

[–] WammKD@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 hours ago

I know it won't make a difference to them (who're the cafeteria Catholics, now?) but it is an official part of the catechism.

[–] uis@lemm.ee 8 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

I know of onlt one western country with death penalty: Belarus. And I'm pretty sure as soon as potato dictator dies, it will be abolished.

[–] MrSilkworm@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago

Provided that microdick Vlad doesn't pull a Ukraine on the country for trying to have democracy, and entering the EU and NATO

[–] pixeltree@lemmy.blahaj.zone 14 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

I don't think the government should have the power to kill people as a punishment, with that said I'm also not upset that the sentences of these three weren't commuted.

[–] pyre@lemmy.world 2 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

I don't understand the reasoning. you can't say you are anti death penalty and believe in dignity and sanctity of life or whatever but then turn around and say "except for these three motherfuckers"...

[–] dariusj18@lemmy.world 1 points 7 hours ago

Yeah, it seems weird that a government of a country that one is a citizen of can choose to have you killed. But assisted suicide is illegal.

[–] macattack@lemmy.world 8 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) (1 children)

Biden: Grants clemency indiscriminately for 1,500 people Public: Why did you let the Cash for Kids woman free Biden: Commutes death sentences selectively Public: Who made you judge, jury and executioner?

[–] Bob_Robertson_IX@discuss.tchncs.de 10 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

Biden: Grants clemency indiscriminately for 1,500 people indiscriminately Media: Why did you let the Cash for Kids woman free Biden: Commutes death sentences selectively Media: Who made you judge, jury and executioner?

FIFY... Real people honestly wouldn't care about any of this if the media wasn't trying to inspire outrage.

[–] macattack@lemmy.world 4 points 15 hours ago

I think it's the opposite. The public opinion has turned on him and so everything he does is critiqued. It's nudge on by the media but is also the cycle of celebrities du jour

[–] NeptuneOrbit@lemmy.world 1 points 10 hours ago (3 children)

In theory, the death penalty makes some sense. It's a right the government reserves for itself (violence) and I think in some contexts it makes sense to be on the table. In practice, it's more expensive than a life sentence, and it's a blunt and racist tool to maintain unjust social and state power.

I wish every governor and president commuted 95% of death penalty situations. It's a major injustice that most executions were carried out, even for those who belief it's something the government should be doing.

[–] untorquer@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago

Maybe instead we could put those resources towards restoring the lives of the victims instead of the punishment of the sentenced?

A punitive system leaves the victims out cold where the only solace they can hope for is that the person responsible is punished appropriately.

A better one might provide mental/physical healthcare, social support, and an option for a direct role in the reconciliation process for the victim and their immediate family/household.

I just don't see how "justice" can be achieved when everyone has paid in and all we get for it is someone locked in a cell or murdered while the people they wronged haven't seen an ounce of support.

[–] Boiglenoight@lemmy.world 6 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (1 children)

I don’t get it. The death penalty doesn’t seem to deter people from committing heinous crimes. The practice seems more for the families who want closure, but morally we should be above killing unnecessarily. Whether someone is jailed for life in solitary or sentenced to death does not change the fact that they will never be able to harm another member of society.

And don’t get me wrong, if someone kills a loved one I will want them dead, but my emotions should not drive taxpayer funded punishment.

[–] duffman@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago

Putting aside some of the practical issues for a moment...

  • that legal process makes executions more expensive than a life sentenc
  • it's a tremendous power for governments to have and rife for corruption or making permanent mistakes.

Why should society be obligated to suppord, and securely house people who should never be allowed back into society?

[–] Randelung@lemmy.world 8 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Also, you're very hardly ever 100% sure someone deserves to die. It's morally much better to not kill just in case - and there's been tons of cases where new evidence, like DNA, has exonerated convicted prisoners. You might be keeping someone fed and warm who didn't deserve it, but personally I'd rather err on the side of humanity.

[–] JamesTBagg@lemmy.world 3 points 3 hours ago

Like Gandalf said,
"Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement."

[–] Sam_Bass@lemmy.world 4 points 15 hours ago

Good. The more he cries the better

[–] danc4498@lemmy.world 59 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Good conservative Christian’s LOVE killing!

[–] sik0fewl@lemmy.ca 18 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

Nothing says "pro life" like whining about not being able to murder someone.

[–] Zementid@feddit.nl 9 points 17 hours ago

Nothing shouts "Christian" than revenge murder.

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