Friday, September 05, 2003

I wish I were allowed to comment

I just got my “Sample Ballot and Information Packet” from the County Registrar, and I noticed some things about some of the candidates for Gray Davis’ replacement.

I won’t give any names (so I won’t be seen to give favoritism of any one candidate), I’m just going to list the given occupations of a few selected candidates....

Ready? Here we go…

Friday Mélange

Less than forty-eight hours from now, HE will arrive...who you ask? Find out sunday morning.

I was considering doing a post with the title “And who’s going to save you now, junior??” and end it with “Don’t call me JUNIOR!” All the while juxtaposed next to France. We need to talk about France some more…

Didn’t we go through this hassle a few weeks ago?

I understand that the Mormon church is about as powerful in Utah as the Catholic Church is in Rome, but this story is just a bit ridiculous.

If a crime worthy of death is committed in Utah, it isn’t the church that will be taking upon themselves the costs involved in investigating the crime, arresting the suspect, prosecuting, convicting, and incarcerating him, and (eventually) meting out the ultimate justice.

All of those costs and decisions will be taken by the state. So if the state decides to stop using a particular method of execution, what business is it of the church? Why should the church care how that particular waste of oxygen breathes his last? Utah is the last state to use death by firing squad (even though one or two other states retain the option, none of them use it except as a last resort, when all other methods are unavailable).

Did these legislators bother to ask the other religions whether they might object to the elimination of firing squads? (And I’ve always wondered what would happen if the first volley didn’t immediately kill the prisoner. Do they have an officer with a 9mm to deliver a coup de grace like in the movies? Or does everyone reload, and shoot him again?) If not, then why would they bother (effectively) getting the church’s permission to change the law?

Maybe it’s just because I believe that the church should not be dictating policy to a civilian government (or even being asked to approve it), but this just seems totally wrong.

Anyhow, good morning!