Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Troy Davis, 20 years too late

11:08 PM EST 9/21/11 a man's life came to an end. He proclaimed his innocence even while strapped to a gurney waiting for the injection that would end his life.

This case now sheds new light on America's justice system. Progressives have taken a break from criticizing President Obama and have now focused on a issue many find inhumane. The death penalty.

In theory I believe in the death penalty. Meaning if you kill someone and it isn't self defense and it can be proven in a court of law beyond reasonable doubt that you killed someone I believe the state has the right to kill you. In theory. But the system is broken. In the case of Troy Davis there was too much doubt. But where was this doubt 20 years ago? Where were the progressives? Where were all these voices and opinions?

When I decided to comment on this tragedy, I was going to start with the premise of the state supporting a murderer while many are out of work. While the unemployed masses are considered "free" we are still struggling while the criminal doesn't have to pay rent, taxes, and doesn't have to worrying about their next meal. Because the state pays for all of that.

Then I thought about how a person becomes a symbol of an issue and how that becomes a form of idolatry.

But then a phrase kept running through my mind. "The system is broken."

To quote Lenny Bruce, "And that's where it's at."

Here's the timeline of the events