| Texas turns aside pressure on execution of 5 Mexicans
article is here Quote: |
President Bush, who as Texas' governor oversaw 152 executions, ordered his home state to comply with that ruling. But Texas refused and fought Bush's order in court.
| A lot of people not familiar with the US system simply do not understand that the federal government can't simply order the individual state governments to do what it wants them to do, treaty or no treaty. Still, the defense teams have EVERY RIGHT to file a petition with a FEDERAL court as the right to contact consular officials is a respnsibility of the FEDERAL government, NOT the State governments. Quote: |
State Department officials said the execution of Medellin and the other four convicted killers might erode the ability of the United States to help people accused of crimes abroad.
| However, this is also a very good point. I can imagine US citizens in China or elsewhere, claiming the right to talk to US officials. Their jailors could easily say, "your government denied it to MExicans, what makes you think you have that right here." Dangerous precedent.
related article here
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"One man esteems one day better than another, while another man esteems all days alike. Let everyone be persuaded in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord." Romans 14: 5-6
Last edited by ludahai : 07-18-08 at 08:05 AM.
Reason: add additional link
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