Troy Davis Execution
a 'Stain' on Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize
"It's an appalling paradox: In the final sordid
analysis, Tehran's ayatollahs and other turban-wearers, fundamentalists though
they may be, have proven less fanatical than the suit-and-tie wearing judges of
Georgia. … it is the institution of the Nobel Peace Prize itself that has been
shattered through the cowardice of Barack Obama, whose true concerns are
manifestly more electoral than humanitarian."
Amnesty International activists support Troy Davis in front of the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Sept 16, during a protest to denounce the death penalty in America.
Never
again, until it has abolished the odious and antiquated death penalty, may
America presume to give lessons on democracy to the world, and certainly not in
the name of human rights!
Because
this America, by executing Troy Davis in cold blood, has demonstrated to the entire
world that it has nothing but scorn and indifference for the millions of men
and women who have raised a hue and cry for somewhat more humane and
compassionate justice. Simply put, just a little more "fairness" toward
an innocent man.
Yes:
there is now an indelible stain in the terrified eyes of true democrats to see
that America, far from being the great modern nation that it claims to be, is
no better under the circumstances than countries that, in matters of justice, impose
the most barbaric and medieval methods such as stoning or hanging - practices that
are most commonly applied where the sinister and obscurantist "Sharia law"
of antiquity prevails.
Furthermore:
it is apparently better to be sentenced to death in Iran where, as in the case
of Sakineh Ashtiani, a person's skin can be saved when
international public opinion pleads for mercy with that nation's politico-religious
authorities; than in the United States, where as in Troy's case, when this same
global public pleads with American politico-judicial authorities, no one can be
rescued.
It's an appalling paradox:
In the final sordid analysis, Tehran's ayatollahs and other turban-wearers,
fundamentalists though they may be, have proven less fanatical than the suit-and-tie wearing judges of Georgia.
As
for Barack Obama, forget about it: beyond his lack of political courage and
intellectual foresight, his deafening silence on the painful Troy Davis matter is
unworthy of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded him by the Oslo committee, which was
granted him a little too quickly solely on the flimsy basis of his beautiful
but only theoretical speeches.
So the
assassination of Troy Davis reveals much more that is negative than a simple
stain on American justice: it is the institution of the Nobel Peace Prize
itself, its profound meaning and philosophical significance, that have been
shattered through the cowardice of Barack Obama, whose true concerns are
manifestly more electoral than humanitarian.
Do
I exaggerate? Then consider this even more incomprehensible declaration by this
same Nobel Peace Prize winner while addressing the Palestinian Authority President
Abbas, just raised on this fatal September 21, 2011: the implacable threat to veto
Abbas' desire to see his country finally officially recognized by the United
Nations.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
Yes:
On the one hand, Obama's America has obstinately refused to pardon Troy Davis,
and on the other, has refused to recognize the state of Palestine. It was a double
appointment with history missed!
*Daniel Salvatore Schiffer
is a philosopher, writer and author of The
Philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas (PUF) and Critique of Pure Lack of Reason
(Bourin Editor).
