Obama on Legal Issues

http://www.thinkyouth.org/2008/02/01/obamas-whacky-death-penalty-policy/
Obama wrote in his recent document that he thinks that the death penalty “does little to deter crime.” I do not agree on this stance to the idea that if others who are committing crimes hear about the death penalty it may affect them to not hurt anyone or commit a crime. Obama further said that he was opposed to adding murders that were part of “gang activity” to the death-eligible crime list. Furthermore, Obama said that the death penalty should only be for serial killers or high end crime. He then believes it is not giving the murderer a fair trial if his “punishment is based on emotions and public pressure put on the judge instead of the acts he has committed”. Also, it will cause the death penalty to be used even more inconsistently as public opinion is fickle, while a judge hopefully is not. I think that Obama’s view on the death penalty is too dangerous to go unnoticed and it can eventually be harmful to the justice system. This way of thinking is going to threaten every person’s right to a fair trial and to be free of cruel and unusual punishment.
On the issue of gun control, Obama thinks there are two realities to gun culture throughout the country. Gun control can be a type of self protection to the individual and is a reality in our society today. I agree with Obama that gun control is something that has been around for so long and we must respect that and the traditions in our society. Furthermore, Obama says there is a right to bear arms and this is also constrained by the interest of making sure all the children are safe when they go to school. He also says that he understands why people want guns at their homes because sometimes calling 911 takes a while and this is time that most people do not have. I think that on the issue of gun control Obama is being fair. He is seeing all aspects to the situation and taking those into consideration.
Obama recently voted yes on reinstating 1.15 billion dollar funding for the COPS program. This program is functioning to reduce the crime rate and protect those who are in danger. I believe that is the smart way to go in the sense that many people go unnoticed and Obama is trying to protect those in need of help. Since crime is rising right now, it would be a good idea to connect the links between crime rate and those who are committing the crimes. Obama says there needs to be something done about this and voting YES on this program is the first step. This was a good move to make by Obama because now he can see just where everyone stands and how he is able to reach out to a variety of people.
Habeas-corpus is that the government is required to bring a prisoner—the body—before a judge and provide a legal rationale for his continued imprisonment. Obama feels this is necessary in order to have a fair trial. This is appropriate because everyone needs to be there while the person is being on trial. This is being fair to the person being on trial and they are able to hear everything that is going on.