Gary McKinnon extradition appeal failure

The new Supreme Court, Jack Straw's legal invention, is certainly in hock to the New Labour Regime it seems. In the appeal of Gary McKinnon against extradition to the USA, their lordships (or should it be their supremeships?) rattled on about it not being against his human rights and that his case did not raise exceptional points of law meriting a hearing at the higher court. Such as public interest.

I wonder where the judges have been lately? Public interest is exceptionally high on this, including the Daily Mail's campaign. Only the government is fitfully crazed enough to try to stop any delay in McKinnon being stuffed in a chicken-type cage masquerading as a jail cell in some US correctional centre. 60 years tops, he'll get. The US criminal justice system, when in cahoots with Uncle Sam's right hand man, can be like a madman on a mission. Many have fallen a cropper to the knee-jerk responses or the retributive approach of the courts. Dr Samuel Mudd was a fine example and it was only the hoo-ha that his wife created that finally made everyone see sense.

Dr.Mudd didn't have the benefit of internet campaigns. Gary McKinnon does. And this case is made even more nasty by Gordon Brown's slavish desire to keep in with the US over the Afghan debacle. We need to be like owls on a tree branch. One eye open ready to hoot! With New Labour hypocrisy a lot of hooting is required. Currently, a businessman trying to avoid extradition to the USA has had his human rights respected. If you're perceived as a cyber geek forget it. If you're a businessman with possibilities, New Labour will save you. Just look at the bankers. It's a twisted world this New Labour fantasy land.

Supreme foolishness!

The New Labour disease is a vile thing, often manifesting itself in manipulation. That is in this organisation's case an uncontrollable spasm in the hands causing the outfit to mend things which were not broken. In fact, they chip bits off, then imply it needs mending. It is a terrible disease, the only cure being a GENERAL ELELECTION!! If only.....

Archbishop Cranmer has a wonderful post about this new Supreme Court thing. Please read it, it says it all.

Just as a rider, this on the "Judiciary Communications Office" website, rambling on about why their Lordships have been booted out of the House of Lords (as judges that is) -

"As members of the House of Lords, this means that they not only sit judicially, but are also able to become involved in the debate and subsequent enactment of Government legislation (although, in practice, they rarely do so). Creating a new Supreme Court will mean that the most senior judges will be entirely separate from the Parliamentary process."

If they rarely got involved and the whole system worked for 1,000 years, what mindset thought better? Oh, the manipulatively diseased mind of New Labour, of course!

Louisiana buckles the Bible in favour of death!

The Parable of the Lost Sheep is seemingly lost on some folk in Louisiana. They'd rather the lost sheep be fried in oil than be let back into the fold. The Good Shepherd is more concerned for the lost sheep, but if you've just tightened your belt a couple of notches too much, the message might get blurred in the subsequent fainting fit. The State of Louisiana is seeking to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that death "is not cruel and unusual punishment for the rape of a child" and thus doesn't violate the 8th Amendment. This comes on the day that the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the lethal three-drug cocktail used in most U.S. executions during the past 30 years. No matter that the stuff takes a time to wend its way through the veins. I suppose these judges describe themselves as Christians. Do they say their prayers with petitions to God to bless this killing cocktail?

I find it amazing that, when confronted with a crucifix and mention of such punishment, Americans get uneasy. Death is at the heart of Christianity, foregiveness at its core. The buckle of the Bible belt is a tight-fitting thing, indeed!

Punishment should be about three things - fair retribution, denial of liberty, and rehabilitation. It is surely not about debasing ourselves to make us feel better in a transitory moment.

I wonder what those who are keen to see killers killed think when they get to the hoped for promised land. Will they just sit and scoff when it comes to prayer time in Heaven for sinners? Jesus said "there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." It is a mighty hard business being a Christian, but forgiveness is high up on the list.

Of course, none of this should imply a namby-pamby approach to justice. Serious crimes require to be punished, but if the rehabilation element is lacking, then it is tantamount to society saying the prisoner has no chance to be reformed and redeemed. Part of the rehabilitation process must be a positive aspect of repentance.

We will all be far better off if we look up rather than look down.