Texas turns aside pressure on execution of 5 Mexicans

ludahai · 07-18-08, 07:04 AM

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

American · 07-18-08, 09:21 AM

Killing them won't stop Democrats from turning them into voters.

TheNextEra · 07-18-08, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by American

Killing them won't stop Democrats from turning them into voters.

But killing them will stop them from becoming traitorous Republicans and conservatives.

danarhea · 07-18-08, 11:41 AM

I think that, with the insults that are being traded, the primary point is being lost....

Killing them means justice for the children they raped and murdered.

Orius · 07-18-08, 04:54 PM

This could easily turn into a debate over execution...

However, I will say that the fact these are Mexican nations shouldn't matter. The law is the law... and you are responsible for knowing the laws of the country you are travelling in. I find execution to be questionable, but I will say that if the U.S. can execute its own citizens then it's only fair that it can do so to foreigners that break the law as well.

ludahai · 07-18-08, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orius

This could easily turn into a debate over execution...

However, I will say that the fact these are Mexican nations shouldn't matter. The law is the law... and you are responsible for knowing the laws of the country you are travelling in. I find execution to be questionable, but I will say that if the U.S. can execute its own citizens then it's only fair that it can do so to foreigners that break the law as well.

The true argument isn't over executions. The true argument is whether State judicial systems/governments have the responsibility to follow treaties executed by the federal government.