Frontline: Clifford Boggess

The death penalty is an unchangeable punishment. Those on death row, like Clifford Boggess, have committed especially heinous crimes. However, too often I believe the death penalty is used as an “eye for an eye” punishment. It is more seeking vengeance than seeking justice. Though the justice system helps families of loved ones compensate for their losses, I do not believe that taking another life will fill the void they feel from the loss of their own.

Clifford Boggess made a strong case for his religious beliefs. However, I am not so convinced that he necessarily believed in his new religion, or even his own religion. However, I do believe he had faith in his religion. I think Boggess was trying to find himself, and trying to find any kind of hope, and religion was one of the ways he was hoping to find himself. I more so believe that Boggess was looking at this new religion as another chance at hope and redemption. I am also not very convinced that Boggess felt remorse for his crimes. I do believe in giving people second chances. Life in jail often is its own punishment. It is a constant reminder of the crimes one has committed, and they are forced to live with the consequences of their actions every day. I almost think that is more grueling than being put to death. However, though I am not one to support the death penalty by any means, I am not sure that life in prison would have had the same affect on Boggess. Though Boggess was able to grow in jail, and find new abilities. Not once did he say that he regretted committing his crimes. He apologized for them, but never wished he could take back what he did. I almost got the feeling that he felt remorse for his life more than for his actions. Though he did grow in jail, and find new passions, they were actions for himself, to try to save himself. Therefore, though he may live with some guilt, that constant reminder of his actions is not so much a punishment. He seems to be at peace with his crimes, even after hearing back from a victim’s family member who refused to accept his apology.  

I have come to learn that too often our justice system is flawed. Defendants are often given unfair trials, bad lawyers, minimal evidence, and poor witness testimonies. The death penalty is an unchangeable sentence. To put someone to death when we are only half sure of what actually happened would be a mistake on the part of the justice system. However, I do not believe that taking the life of another person should be considered justice in any situation.

Bullying

This article is not the first time that I have ever heard of people being bullied because of the way they look, act, or their beliefs. It seems that the catalyst behind this bullying is nothing more than jealousy, and an unwillingness to accept others individuality.  However, there is a common trend within all stories of bullying: these “victims” are different. They all believe in, or look like, or act, in a way that is different than what is defined as "normal" by their peers. However, I am astounded by the fact that different has become a bad thing. Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated, "For nonconformity the world will whip you with its displeasure." Sadly this has become so true within teenage society. There is not a single person who has the exact  same thoughts, ideas, experiences, and beliefs as another. These differences create our individuality; be it the way we look, the things we value, the history of our family, or our sexual interests; yet society is teaching us that individuality is a bad thing. Conformity only leads to the loss of individuality, and without that individuality, who knows what the world could come to. These "bullies" are nothing more than the naive people who cannot comprehend that we live in a diverse world. A peaceful world will thrive off of people’s ability to gain new and different perspectives from those who do not necessarily correlate with their own ideas. No one can force another to support an idea that they don’t believe in. However, it is not until those same naive people learn to accept that these differences exist, that this "bullying" will stop.

Seven Days of September

The seven days of September were very unique days both in New York, and in modern history. It was so surprising, yet heartwarming, to see a city of strangers come together. It is sad, but too often true, that sometimes the most terrible events are the things that bring people together most. The video truly showed the shock and anger that people had about September 11th. People were so angry, yet they so confused as to who to take their frustration out on. One moment that truly stood out to me was when people were writing chalk messages in a park. At one point, the video showed continued arguments. People of the same city, who had experienced the exact same even, were taking their frustration out on each other. At one point, two people arguing stopped and shouted "what are we arguing about." I then realized that it was not so much that people were angry at each other, but rather that people felt so connected to one another that they were able to release their tension with one another. This video was the first time that I truly saw the country come together. People's actions were so selfless. People felt a want, and a responsibility to help. People sacrificed anything they could to help people they may never have known. The truth is, whether someone knew people in those building or not, September 11th effected the entire country. Watching the country come together as it had was something that is truly worth being valued, and truly shows the strength of our country even in the most difficult situations.