COMMENT POSTED TO AN ARTICLE IN THE INDEPENDENT
Well, Erdogan's wish is Turkey's command.
While I totally oppose the death penalty, it is simply a
fact that it remains common in much of the world, and especially in matters
such as coups and treason. Those attempting to overthrow a government always take
that risk.
And, of course, the United States, hardly a semi-backward
place like Turkey, uses the death penalty regularly for many crimes.
And I guarantee the United States would use it for this kind
of matter. It cannot be doubted.
So, I am not sure this is a remarkable development in
Turkey.
Of course, Europe, in its concern over the death penalty,
might long ago have said or done something about America's murderous policies
in Syria, Libya, Iraq, and other places, where it has slaughtered perhaps two
million.
And I do think extrajudicial killing by drones and missiles
even more repulsive than a judicially-governed death penalty.
