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One other factor to the equation. If he's executed, he becomes a martyr and an inspiration to even more like him.
It seems to take very little for Muslims to find a new "martyr," so whether he's a dead one or a live one, I doubt that it will make any difference. Heck, a few cartoons can cause rioting in the streets, but letting him off with prison could equally well be seen as American appeasement - the fear of rocking the boat. But then again, the Moslem world seems to have no problem with executing folks, even for something like, say, changing your religion. Don't forget, the Afghani Abdul Rahman, who recently was charged with apostasy for converting to Christianity had to leave the country to excape a possible death sentence. The new "democratic" government of Afghanistan simply encouraged him to leave rather than change the law.
On a more fundamental level, this once again raises the whole issue of whether we should have a death penalty or not. If Moussaoui can admit to being part of the group that caused the deaths of 9/11 and not get executed, then you really have to ask what do you have to do to be sentenced to death?
Whether one agrees with the death penalty or not, at this moment in time, it exists and justice must be seen to be done. People have been put to death for less. So let's get this over with, demonstrate our resolve, and move on.
Siggy
If life wasn't so pointless and absurd, I would take it more seriously.
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