THE WORLD HAS GONE MAD

6/30/2006

Judge: Doc OK for You, Not for Precious Prisoners

By Carrie K. Hutchens

Now I have heard it all!

U.S. Judge Fernando Gaitan, Jr. halted Missouri executions because he feels, "... the state's lethal injection procedure subjects condemned inmates to an "unnecessary risk" of "unconstitutional pain and suffering." 

Gaitan, in his opinion, apparently lists several problems (as he sees it) and he may be right about every single one of them. I don't know. Maybe Missouri does need to revue and revamp their protocol for fulfilling the end-of-life decisions for convicted murderers sentenced to death. Perhaps Missouri, like Florida, should determine that death by starvation and dehydration is a "peaceful and painless" way to go, and likewise let the death row inmates go naturally and beautifully.

I did find a little bit of confusion though, when the judge expressed his concern about the lethal injection mixture being utilized.

The judge is concerned about a "dyslexic" doctor mixing the drugs for execution purposes? The doctor might mix them wrongly and cause "unnecessary risk" of "unconstitutional pain and suffering" for the person scheduled for "execution"?

Is anyone with me on this one?

A doctor, who is dyslexic, apparently passed all examines to get a license to practice medicine (be a doctor). So what is this judge saying to us? He considers this doctor to only be qualified to care for the rest of us?

If there is question about this doctor being qualified and "able" to perform in such a capacity -- why has the "system" allowed him/her to perform and continue to perform in one?

If there is question... why is the general public freely put at risk, while it only becomes a concern that the doctor "might" mix the lethal injection in such a way so as to cause "unconstitutional pain and suffering" to a convicted murderer that is schedule to die by the injection?

What if the same doctor mixes things all up wrongly and kills our nice neighbor down the street? Or maybe it could be a family member?

Is Gaitan taking a stand for that "what if" as well, or is it only the convicted murderer that gets a worry or two?

But... wait a minute...

Gaitan is worried about the dyslexic doctor not seeing properly and therefore feels there is a "risk" of a mistake? Did he likewise worry about the "legally blind" judge down in Florida that executed an innocent? Or is this all "selective" concern?

Maybe I haven't heard it all yet! Life is definitely getting crazy!

Carrie Hutchens is a former law enforcement officer and a freelance writer who is active in fighting against the death culture movement and the injustices within the judicial and law enforcement systems.