Death Penalty and Somalian Pirates

Chester Davis
UNL Mechanical Engineering Major

In a dramatic and unprecedented move Barack H. Obama wreaked terror on the families of several underage black youth by ordering these presumed innocent teenagers shot to death. Several Somalian youth were engaging in a 5 day spring break excursion aboard a small fishing on the high seas with former cab driver Richard Phillips when angry, probably conservative military men shot them to death from the safety a nearby multi-million dollar warship.

While the military complex has suggested that one of the black youth was pointing a presumably loaded AK-47 rifle at Mr. Phillips, it is more likely that Mr. Phillips was providing the underprivileged youth helpful firearms safety training. Perhaps when the Military complex releases the full, unedited video footage we may be able to make this judgment.

While it might seem as though these actions contradict the well known Obama statements that "Harsh methods undermine our moral authority and do not make us safer.", the actions are completely consistent with his ideas on small weapons proliferation. "It is absolutely critical that the United States join as a full partner in dealing with this issue,” said Obama with regards to reducing the transfer and sale of firearms to oppressed minorities in Mexico.

Vice-Admiral Gortney seems to agree with most normal people who think unprecedented violence toward black youth does little to ensure the safety of Americans "This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it.''

While Obama continues to infringe on the intelligence gathering properties of placing a caterpillar in the holding cell of a non-uniformed armed enemy combatant captured in a war zone, he should consider his own legal obligations as Commander and chief. The U.S. War Crimes statute, which applies to offenses “whether inside or outside the United States”, forbids war crimes. The statute notes that the Geneva Conventions specifically forbid torture as a war crime, defining torture as “The act of a person who commits, or conspires or attempts to commit, an act specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering … for the purpose of punishment, intimidation, coercion, or any reason based on discrimination of any kind.”

It is likely that shooting several youth enjoying a holiday at sea in the head or shoulders, maiming and than killing them, certainly qualifies under this statute. Mr Obama should reconsider his actions against these young black seaman and his attitude toward other oppressed minorities.