Blind Prophecy

Some days… Some day, I just don’t know. Some days, I think I’m missing some genetic element that other people have. Some days, I shake my head and think that maybe I’m wrong–that maybe the world is an evil, dangerous, cut-throat, every-man-for-himself kind of world.

Although I don’t talk about it often, I was just as horrified, shocked, upset and saddened by the events of 9/11 as most other Americans. And yet…

I don’t see how that can possibly justify this [new disturbing images from Abu Ghraib, probably NSFW, definitely NSF the squeamish].

When I see those sorts of images of American soldiers torturing prisoners, my mind doesn’t leap to the burning towers and choking people running from concrete dust. Instead, I flash to images of genocide in Africa, torture camps in the Holocaust*, to images of beaten and slain queer people, and other occasions when people have lost all respect for the basic dignity and humanity of others.

* I’m aware that some people may take the preceding statement out of context to believe that I have just likened American soldiers to Nazis. It was not my intention, but I won’t pretend that I don’t think there is justification for that comparison in this specific case, either.

My father once said to me something along the lines of, “your mother and I disagree on the death penalty. She’s in favor of it. I think that it ought to involve much more pain.”

But I’m just not wired that way. At the sentencing for Aaron McKinney, who was convicted of murdering Matthew Shepard, Dennis Shepard (Matt’s father) was quoted as saying:

Mr. McKinney , one final comment before I sit and this is the reason that I stand before you now. At no time since Matt was found at the fence and taken to the hospital have Judy and I made any statements about our beliefs concerning the death penalty. We felt that that would be an undue influence on any prospective juror. Judy has been quoted by some right wing groups as being against the death penalty. It has been stated that Matt was against the death penalty. Both of these statements are wrong. We have held family discussions and talked about the death penalty. For example, he and I discussed the horrible death of James Byrd, Jr. in Jasper, Texas. It was his opinion that the death penalty should be sought and that no expense should be spared to bring those responsible for this murder to justice. Little did we know that the same response would come about involving Matt. I, too, believe in the death penalty. I would like nothing better than to see you die, Mr. McKinney. However, this is the time to begin the healing process. To show mercy to someone who refused to show any mercy. To use this as the first step in my own closure about losing Matt. Mr. McKinney I am not doing this because of your family. I am definitely not doing it because of the crass and unwarranted pressures put on by the religious community. If anything, that hardens my resolve to see you die. Mr. McKinney, I’m going to grant you life, as hard as it is for me to do so, because of Matthew. Every time you celebrate Christmas, a birthday or the fourth of July, remember that Matthew isn’t. Every time you wake up in that prison cell, remember that you had the opportunity and the ability to stop your actions that night. Every time that you see your cell mate, remember that you had a choice and now you are living that choice. You robbed me of something very precious and I will never forgive you for that. Mr. McKinney, I give you life in the memory of one who no longer lives. May you have a long life and may you thank Matthew every day for it.

My parents and I disagree on the death penalty. We probably disagree on other matters of torture and retribution and justice. Because of that, and because of the evil acts done by American soldiers (presumably with the blessing of the American government), I want to make it perfectly clear where I stand on this issue. I hear all the time to be careful what I put on the internet, because it lasts forever. I hope so. If somehow I should die (or be injured so that I can no longer speak for myself) because of violence, I do not want the death penalty sought. Yes, I support harsher penalties for hate crimes; yes, I support long-term and lifetime imprisonment of violent criminals; and yes, depending on the circumstances, I could support rehabilitation or medical treatment instead of the penal system. But I don’t believe there’s ever a circumstance in which the government should be empowered to torture and/or kill any human being. This right is not limited to American citizens, but is a universal human right.

If I should be struck by a fist or a pipe, a blade or a bullet; I ask that all who are affected remember that respect for basic human dignity and life is the value by which I’ve lived and the standard I’d ask you to apply.

Filed under: politics by Jere Keys