Respect for life my ass...

The death penalty is not something I've ever really witnessed up-close. I lived most of my life in Iowa, which (thankfully) does not have the death penalty, then a few years in Minnesota, which also does not have the death penalty, and now in South Dakota – which hadn't executed anyone in 60 years, until last night.

The spectacle that unfolded outside the Sioux Falls prison where the execution took place was incredible – I didn't witness it first-hand, of course, but heard about it from all our photographers and reporters who were at the scene. There were about a dozen pro-death demonstrators, such as the guy holding the lovely sign in the photo, who apparently spent much of their time harassing and shouting at the 100 or so death penalty opponents who had also gathered to pray and hold a candlelight vigil.

The sign speaks for itself. This is a state that makes a big show of "respecting life" – witness the abortion ban passed in the 2006 Legislature. As far as I'm concerned, it's beyond hypocritical to deem yourself pro-life but also support the death penalty.

And it's beyond revolting that the state of South Dakota is now officially in the business of murder. To hear the press conference afterward, with all the state officials slapping each other on the back and exchanging "congratulations" for an execution well-done was deeply disturbing.

"Way to kill a guy, Larry. He didn't even twitch."
"Haha, thanks Bob. Want to go get a beer?"