It’s certainly an issue that many of us wouldn’t have thought to come up during this period, but it still managed to. I speak of the second-most politically polarized of issues, the death penalty.

Once of the issues isn’t if we should impose the death penalty, but at what point it should result.

Senator Steve King wants the death penalty imposed for anyone that kills multiple people. He questions the point at which one murdered is equated with Osama bin Laden who we as Americans seek to kill.

Confused how we got this far without mentioning terrorism? You should be.

The talk about reinstating the death penalty is actually aimed at terrorism that takes place in Iowa. Like many other states, our legislature is trying to pull a fast one on the people.

It’s been a part of the agenda of certain politicians to bring the death penalty back to Iowa, but now they have the leverage they so desire. Masking the idea as anti-terrorism, the public is quick to support, or at least not to criticize it.

But it is obvious from King’s point of view that the “limited” death penalty is just making head room for radical policies and expansion of old ones in the name of combating terrorism.

What makes this issue funny though, is the idea that the “limited” death penalty will deter terrorism. So let that be a lesson to all suicide bombers – try that in Iowa and you’ll be facing the death penalty.

Many terrorists, foreign or domestic, are willing to be martyrs for their cause. Let’s not forget Timothy McVeigh who quoted the poem Invictus, by William Ernest Henley, prior to his execution.

His death didn’t deter the terrorists from their plan on Sept. 11, so why would any new law deter new ones?

It becomes apparent that the Republicans are playing politics with traumatic events, which is just sickening.

But Iowa isn’t the only state to overreact with plans for laws.

Michigan wants to ban airplanes from flying over the University of Michigan stadium.

New Jersey wants to require background checks for anyone taking flight lessons.

The list goes on, with ridiculous ideas that don’t begin to really solve any future problems but are set up to give the public a new sense of security, and adding unnecessary red tape.

Not so fast conservatives, put down your pens. Despite my criticism, I do support the death penalty.

I don’t support it for all cases, and I wouldn’t support it for acts of terrorism because it only serves to martyr those caught, giving more of a purpose to other terrorists.

In Iowa, we already have something just short of the death penalty to deal with these people. Life in prison without parole ensures that murderers will never be free again.

There are some cases though, in which a crime is especially egregious that a person shouldn’t be allowed to live. And while I do agree that the attacks on the World Trade Center would qualify there are other issues to consider when terrorists are involved.

But I have a problem with the way the legislature is trying to bring this idea into acceptance by playing off the feelings of others, which actually does little to combat the real problem. And trying to sneak this law in to apply to more than just terrorism is appalling.

If an issue of this magnitude is considered to be brought about into law then it should be out in the open for everyone to criticize.

Blaine Moyle is a junior in English from Des Moines.