I am writing concerning the upcoming endeavor of the Iowa State legislature to reinstate the death penalty in Iowa. I am disappointed at this topic, once again, being debated in Iowa’s Congress.

I am strictly opposed to capital punishment. We cannot forget, that as a “civilized” society, we must not confuse justice with revenge. This doctrine is analogous to a vigilante society, which is no longer necessary in the organized situation in which we live. I would like to remind you that in Iowa, once a guilty person is sentenced to life imprisonment, they stay there. There is not a chance for parole in the state of Iowa on this sentence.

Please do not let the “niceness” of this capital punishment bill lull you into thinking it is OK. At one point in history, a sentence to die involved being subject to “draw and quartering,” crucifixion, the guillotine, hanging, or more recently, the electric chair. Now with lethal injection as the main option for capital punishment, we must challenge ourselves to consider that if all of this time we have been trying to find a more “humane” method of execution, if it really is humane at all. I believe it is not.

If you share my view, I urge you to stop by this semester’s first Amnesty International meeting to sign a petition to our Iowa legislators. It will be at 7:30 pm next Tuesday the 27th in Room 233 of the Memorial Union. Or, please write one or all of our representatives in Congress. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at [email protected]. Following are the addresses of our representatives:

Johnie Hammond (Senate)

Iowa Senate

Capitol Building

Des Moines, IA 50319

Cecelia Burnett (North Ames)

Iowa House

Capitol Building

Des Moines, IA 50319

Bill Bernau (South Ames)

Iowa House

Capitol Building

Des Moines, IA 50319

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Naomi Bremer

Senior

Chemical engineering