This just in, Gov. John Kitzhaber has halted the planned execution of convicted murdered Gary Haugen.
The Oregonian is reporting that Kitzhaber called a press conference today to announce that he is excercising his authority to stay Haugen’s execution because of Kitzhaber’s own personal opposition to the death penalty and his belief that Oregon’s death penalty process is an “expensive and unworkable system that fails to meet basic standards of justice.”
Kitzhaber acknowledged that he allowed two prior executions to take place under his first term as governor, but said that he has regretted them ever since, according to the paper’s account of the press conference.
Haugen who was twice convicted of murder and sentenced to death for killing another inmate had waived all of rights to appeal against the advice of his attorneys, clearing the way for his execution.
This article appears in Nov 17-23, 2011.
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This governor has to answer to God for his selfish and gutless stand on capital crimes. The Bible tells us God’s Law very clearly with God’s Word saying, “Thou shalt not murder”, not “Thou shalt not kill”. Those committing capital crimes generally committed “murder” thus justifying relinquishing their own life for the life(lives) they unjustly too. And correspondingly, the governor owes it to the victims to “kill” their wrongdoer. The Bible also tells us…and the governor… “There are those who do right in their own eyes, but it leads to destruction.” The governor essentially is telling the Creator of all things “I’ll do it my way” and ignores God.
So Winston, do I have this correct? By NOT killing people, the governor is somehow violating the commandment “Thou Shalt Not Kill”?
I’m a God-fearing Christian, as it sounds you are, too, but I don’t see anything in the Bible explicitly condoning capital punishment. Wasn’t Jesus’ execution an example of the downside of capital punishment? I hate to break it to you, but there are innocent people put to death by the state in this country each year. I don’t think the Bible says “Thou shalt kill people who kill people if you’re MOSTLY, ALMOST, PRETTY SURE that they’re guilty.” It just doesn’t work that way.
I say kudos to the governor.
“Wasn’t Jesus’ execution an example of the downside of capital punishment?”
Terry, if you were actually a “God fearing Christian”, you would know that Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection were the atoning sacrifice for a world of sinners and represent the greatest gift ever bestowed on humanity. Your view of the event is completely backwards.
well, thanks for clearing that up. I thought we were talking about the morality of state-sponsored executions…