We heard oral arguments before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals this morning and it was intense. I've never sat in on a court session and it was really interesting to hear the five cases that were presented. The first one involved a death penalty case and the defendant's lawyer did an awful job. It was interesting to me to think that a real man's life was on the line and I was watching it unfold. I was even nervous because now I know that I'm experiencing the real deal.
Speaking of the death penalty, I have to write about something that I've been thinking about for awhile and finally have a conclusion to. If you know me well, you know that I don't kill bugs. I reason that a fly or spider in my house has not harmed me and I therefore have to reason to end its life. As I've carefully looked at the issue of abortion, I've learned that I find abortion atrocious because it end life.
So when I was watching the oral arguments on the death penalty, I thought it audacious that a group of flawed humans were debating whether or not another human should live or die. How can I believe in the death penalty and value life at the same time? I've come to the conclusion that I cannot. There are certain rights that all criminals have, including due process. Even the worst of the worst criminals are required to representation in a fair trial. Why are the worst of the worst criminals not guaranteed a right to life? I believe that the state should not have the power to end life because the essence of life is sacred.
When I told Brian that I think I'm opposed to the death penalty, he called me a crazy liberal. But ever since I realized that ideological inconsistencies exist in political thought, I've tried to be ideological consistent. I think there are big issues that should govern our opinions.
But besides that epiphany, school was great. Meeting new people and talking about the law with equally interested people is invigorating, challenging, and fun.

