Join Us Box / Rack Advertise Service Contact Us
 
 
 
 
  Welcome Visitor, 480 members online. Date: Sat, Mar 20, 2010 My Account Login/Register  Search:   advanced  
Home
Featured
Columnists
Special
Photos
Calendar
Classifieds
Advertisers
Weekly Editions
 
Stephen Lewis: Columnist steps away from lighter side, deals with major issues



 Related Articles
Read all about it: Uncle Sid Goes HD
Mike Pirtle: People suffer enough without politics
H-Haid: Dang, why did he get rid of that truck?
Stephen Lewis: Mourning a dear, dear friend
The Edge: Businesses come, go on 'Boro's Public Square
Mrs. 'Boro: Time to dump stuff
Dr. Kestner: Save up your change, be glad that you did
Mayor Westbrooks remains a legend
Mrs. 'Boro: Fighting winter’s doldrums never easy
No more Sea World for me
View All
By: STEPHEN LEWIS, Post Columnist
Posted: Sunday, November 15, 2009 6:53 am
Email Print
You'll have to pardon me this week as I step away from writing about the "lighter side of life" and speak about more significant issues that occurred recently. First, let me thank all veterans out there for their service to our country. To serve in any branch of the military takes a special person and believe me, I was never that special. This past week we celebrated Veterans' Day and I never think we do enough for veterans.

But two things happened lately that have been on my mind. The first was the shooting at Fort Hood that killed and wounded several American citizens. The second was the execution of John Muhammed who was convicted of being the D.C. sniper that terrorized the D.C. area for weeks.

I don't know how you feel about the death penalty, and sometimes I'm not sure how I feel about it either, but I do know that if ever someone was deserving of it, it is these two. The lawyer for Muhammed said he was crazy and shouldn't have been put to death because of that. I say that anyone who randomly shoots people with a high power rifle while laying down in the trunk of a modified car is crazy and should die because of that. His lawyer said that the U.S. spent hundreds of thousands of dollars if not millions prosecuting this death penalty case and it would make more sense fiscally to keep him imprisoned for the rest of his life. And I say sometimes it's money well spent. At least we won't have to hear news updates about how he has turned his life around and dedicated himself to God. Here's an idea: turn your life around before you gun down 10 innocent people.

And that guy looks like a saint compared to this fellow who gunned down civilians and soldiers at Fort Hood. Here's what I don't understand and will never understand as long as I live. A man comes in and guns down multiple innocent victims; someone shoots him and then they rush him to get medical treatment. Are you kidding me? We have a chance to save taxpayers hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars, and we invest time and money in keeping him alive. Here's an idea: let him lay there and bleed to death. There's your death penalty right there.

The cost of a bullet versus years of trials and hearing how his hatred for the U.S. grew because we invaded Iraq. This guy is already into us for multiple lives and thousands of dollars of medical bills for a crime we're 100 percent sure he did. I'm aware of due process but don't you think this is a bit ridiculous?

And don't give me that crap about how life in prison is worse than death. If that were the case none of the criminals on death row would be appealing their cases.

I know, I know, what would Jesus do? Let's be careful to not compare ourselves with the savior of the world. There's a lot of things about Jesus that we'll never measure up to. I'm all for being compassionate, but for someone who randomly guns down people, I have to say my compassion well is pretty dry.

What a shame to feel like we're not only fighting a war across the ocean but here in the U.S. as well. Fighting against a foreign enemy must be difficult enough without having to worry about being attacked at a base inside U.S. borders. So, to all veterans and current service men and women, I salute the work you do and the sacrifices you make for us all.
Share: 
Tags: Stephen Lewis, There Ought to be a Law, Voices
Member Opinions:
By: CFW0914 on 11/16/09
AMEN...

By: justdance on 11/17/09

I had a soldier sit next to me at the football game this past weekend, and it actually gave me good bumps...we can never say thanks enough.

well said...

By: Plantdoc on 11/17/09
Stephen, possibly your niche isn't humor, but more serious subjects. Enjoyed this column.

By: justdance on 11/18/09

Well I don't know about that......he's a pretty funny guy :)

By: justdance on 11/18/09


......by the way, I meant "goose bumps" not good bumps. Kind of means the same thing though!


Login and voice your opinion!


Copyright Statement | Privacy Statement | Terms of Service

615-869-0800 | online@murfreesboropost.com | 630 Broadmor Blvd. Suite 140,  P.O. 10008, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Making Web Design Easy Since 2001
Websites for Newspapers, Magazines, HOAs, Trade Associations & Online Communities  |  Email Marketing, E-Commerce