Stephen F. Kislock, III – 8/26/07

This page was last updated on August 26, 2007.

The hypocrisy of the right; Stephen F. Kislock, III; Beaver County Times; August 26, 2007.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“America the land of the hypocrite.

“For too many Americans, especially the Christian right, it’s OK to execute the convicted. But to abort a fetus is a crime against humanity?”

[RWC] Is there really some kind of moral equivalence to killing an unborn child and executing a convicted murderer? I believe this often used comparison is obviously flawed and doesn’t help Mr. Kislock’s cause. Is an anti-abortion person who joins the military also a hypocrite?

“How many innocent victims of the criminal justice are buried without a thought? One is too many. The book ‘A Promise of Justice’ by Professor David Protess and reporter Robert Warden changed forever how I view the American justice system.

“Your president and Congress tweaked the law of the land with the reauthorization of the Patriot Act. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales can now be considered the lord high judge and executioner.

“The constitutional right to a speedy trial has been enhanced with the additional right of a speedy execution. Attorney General/Judge Gonzales will see that this is handled with his typical aplomb.”

[RWC] I suggest you do your own research and then make up your mind regarding these comments. Even articles in liberal-leaning newspapers (LA Times, The Washington Post) indicate Mr. Kislock’s letter misrepresents the issue.

“With the civilian death toll in Iraq approaching a million innocent victims, where is the outrage from the pro-life movement in America?”

[RWC] Mr. Kislock asked why “the pro-life movement in America” isn’t outraged at the death in Iraq. Who says it isn’t? Mr. Kislock’s comment, however, illustrates a dilemma. Let’s say a dictator is killing hundreds of thousands of his country’s citizens. What is a “pro-life” person to do? After all, any intervention – whether by embargos, military, etc. – will likely result in even more deaths, even if only temporarily.

Mr. Kislock doesn’t tell us where he got his “million innocent victims” figure and who is doing the killing.

“How far have we regressed from this once great country of the founding fathers to where a single person is controlling life and death today?

“Texas just celebrated the 400th execution of a human being. Texas is busy. Three more executions are scheduled for next week. Gov. George W. Bush and Gonzales did their share. They have 40 executions to their credit.”

[RWC] It’s too bad Mr. Kislock can’t get his stats right. Mr. Kislock stated, “Gov. George W. Bush and Gonzales … have 40 executions to their credit.” That was only for the 2000 calendar year. Check the Texas Dept of Criminal Justice website (http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/executedoffenders.htm) and you’ll find the total number of executions while Mr. Bush was governor (1995-2000) was about 150. Which of the other facts Mr. Kislock cites in this and his other letters are incorrect?