It is not often that David Anderson and I agree. Today we do. And I think it is important to acknowledge both when we agree and also when, in my opinion, he bucks his party and sticks with his faith.
Here is what he said today:
I am joining a million people across America in praying for a miracle. Troy Davis needs a real trial. He is scheduled to be executed based upon evidence that turned out to be fabricated and witnesses who admitted to lying. Read the story here from conservative stalwart Congressman Bob Barr, a former U. S. Attorney.
There will be no miracle. Today, we will kill an innocent man. Yes, we. Governments represent the people. When it takes action, it does so in our name. Today the State of Georgia will murder Troy Davis on our behalf.
Now, if Troy Davis were guilty beyond any reasonable doubt, that would one thing. Supporters of the death penalty would say it is justice, while critics would still say it is murder. Regarding the death penalty itself, I am a skeptic. Sometimes, I can see the need for the ultimate penalty. Serial killers, mass murderers, terrorists, Hitler. They all deserve death, and the state killing them in case is more a matter of self defense of society. However, when I see the death penalty applied in uneven and discriminatory ways, and to minors and the mentally ill, I find the penalty both ineffective and immoral. But I digress.
Today we know the execution of Troy Davis is immoral. That is the only thing we know beyond a reasonable doubt. And if two people of such divergent ideological opinions such as myself and David Anderson can agree that Troy Davis must not be executed because the evidence against is plainly fabricated or false, then why can’t the Governor of Georgia?
So pray for a miracle if you must, but I am going to pray for forgiveness, because I have no faith in the heart or mind of Governor Nathan Deal.