Uh oh: "China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United States and Iran are the most prolific executioners in the world."
That statement appears here: < http://www.derechos.org/dp >
Sounding like a line from a dark operetta, perhaps we should sing, "We are the Very Model of Prolific Executioners."
Here is another site that focuses on Georgia's execution of Troy Davis, scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 21st: < http://nodeathpenalty.org >
Actually, we could say Georgia's "governmental" execution of Troy Davis, but perhaps we should go further and mention that if, as we hope is the case in other states of the union, the citizens are the government, then humans, that is to say, real flesh and blood people just like Troy Davis, are responsible for the execution.
Mercy, either god or the devil is in the details.
Here is the number for the Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole: 404-656-5651. The person answering the phone will log your call and share the number of calls received with the Board members, who have the power to grant clemency. After several minutes of recordings, I spoke with a real person, and she said that constitutionally the governor has no power to intervene, and when I asked if Mr. Obama has that power, she said that phone calls to the White House are referred to the number for the Georgia Board!
Uh oh, it appears the devil may have more control over the details than we thought.
The White House comment line number is 202-456-1111, and when I talked with Operator 18, she said that she not been given information about referring people to the Georgia number, but did say that she had successfully recorded my urging Mr. Obama to intervene and grant clemency.
Ah, details again.
During the coming days, especially as the presidential election (which we might term Hadean) proceeds, we shall see who has power over the details of this and other critical issues.
