Al Mayo: Boston — An Avowed Liberal Weighs In On Justice

Kill him. Give us his blood. Make this bastard suffer long and hard.

All of those sentiments and other variations were flying on social media Friday night, when the second Boston bombing suspect was captured. I know it was a gut feeling and knee-jerk reaction on the part of some people, and a genuinely sincere one for some. While I disagree, I respect their rights to express the opinions. But really now–is that the best way to punish this man? I am personally against the death penalty but I cannot honestly say I would oppose it in this case. I wish I could remain firm in my conviction, but I waver when I consider the vile nature of the crime. I am also realistic enough to know for certain that if anyone I loved was a victim of a crime like this, I would want the perpetrators dead. But take a step back and think about it.

Shouldn’t this man’s punishment reflect the values we protect and cherish? The same values and system he and his dead brother attacked in broad daylight?

If we are going to compell this vermin to do anything, we should force him to face the very government and society he tried to bring down. I submit that an open trial in Federal Court that exhibits the very system he tried to foul with hate, is the perfect way to demonstrate to him, and others of his ilk that we still stand tall as a nation and society of laws.

We welcomed him as a naturalized citizen last year. This year, he committed an act so gratuitously violent, we can hardly comprehend it. Yes, we welcomed him, but now as an American citizen, he must face American justice. That my friend is also part of being a citizen. I confess to having visceral reactions and feelings about wanting to tear this man apart, but my head rules my gut in this case. Logically, we cannot rush to justice or judgment. If we do, we sink to his level, and no one wants that, I’m certain.

If we really want to punish this man and make him suffer. Force him to go through the trial. Make every step so correct, and exacting, that he feels like it will never end. Hold him in solitary and total isolation. Make this man observe American justice in action. I’m sure someone is thinking he may not be convicted. Certainly that is a remote possibility, but really–does anyone think that is possible? No.

Here it is man! The system you thought you could bring down!

That’s right! A fair trial, a conviction, and a punishment. Again the death penalty is not something I agree with normally, but I do agree with the court meting out punishment and the punishment being carried out. If the death penalty is imposed, then let the chips fall. I had little sorrow when Timothy McVeigh was exectuted in a Federal Prison, and I will certainly not shed a tear for this man. But if we’re going to teach him, and the rest of the terror cells in the world a true lesson it should be this one.

Be prepared to be caught, tried, and punished. We don’t sneak up on you. We don’t use your benevolence against you. We don’t hurt innocent people for any reason on purpose. It does not make us weak. It makes us stronger each time we exercise our laws in a correct, and lawful manner. We take nothing from anyone, and we do things our way.

The RIGHT way.