President Okays Execution of an Army Private

Apart from the inherent irony, I don't get why a soldier's treatment for killing people he is not ordered to kill is seen as deserving of treatment any different different from a civilian's.

I don't think this man, or anyone should be executed....but, given that you routinely kill people judicially in the US, why the hooha about this fella?


If his murderous and sexually assaultive behaviour was triggered in some way by his experiences as a soldier (eg PTSD) that reasonably comes up when sentence is discussed, but for the rest of it? Bush has happily supported executions...why find it heavier to kill this man than anyone else...and why is he involved?

I agree Dlowan. The president should not be involved. But our president does not seem the least bit ashamed of sending people off to die in war nor did he express any remorse over those who died in Katrina. Personally, I think Bush himself should be sitting in that same seat.

NickFun wrote:

I agree Dlowan. The president should not be involved. But our president does not seem the least bit ashamed of sending people off to die in war nor did he express any remorse over those who died in Katrina. Personally, I think Bush himself should be sitting in that same seat.

Apparently you didnt read the article, so try reading this part...

Unlike in the civilian courts, a member of the U.S. armed forces cannot be executed until the president approves the death sentence. Gray has been on death row at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., since April 1988.

Members of the U.S. military have been executed throughout history, but just 10 have been executed by presidential approval since 1951 when the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the military's modern-day legal system, was enacted into law.

President Kennedy was the last president to stare down this life-or-death decision. On Feb. 12, 1962, Kennedy commuted the death sentence of Jimmie Henderson, a Navy seaman, to confinement for life.

The President MUST approve it, thats the law.

There is a scene in a war movie, in which White Christmas is played, while a soldier is shot by a firing squad. It was based on a true story. I wish I could recall the name of it.

edgarblythe wrote:

There is a scene in a war movie, in which White Christmas is played, while a soldier is shot by a firing squad. It was based on a true story. I wish I could recall the name of it.

The Execution of Private Slovik?