Death penalty

The good news first. According to Amnesty International, "In the last four years the number of [US] death sentences has been lower than any time since reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976." Furthermore, a majority of Americans prefers substitute measures - namely, life without parole - over the death penalty.

This trend and its support among the public is quite positive. Yet, the current situation is still cause for deep concern. The United States still executes just under one person a week, placing it on an ignoble top-ten list. The countries carrying out the most executions:

1. China
2. Iran
3. Iraq
4. Japan
5. North Korea
6. Saudi Arabia
7. Somalia
8. Sudan
9. USA
10. Yemen

There is much to say about this list, though it doesn't require it.

[See also Oct. 23, 2013, blog post]