The Culture of Life - Ending Capital Punishment

President Bush, in ratifying the new American Culture of Life, says:

"In cases like this one, where there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society, our laws, and our courts should have a presumption in favor of life."

And,

"I will continue to stand on the side of those defending life for all Americans, including those with disabilities."

The timing, therefore, could not be better for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to begin its nationwide campaign to outlaw the death penalty.

According to Theodore Cardinal McCarrick:

The report that at least 100 people have now been found to be innocent of the crimes that put them on death row are 100 reasons to turn away from capital punishment. The 101st reason is not what was done to them, but what is being done to the rest of us. The increasing reliance on the death penalty diminishes all of us, increases disrespect for human life, and offers the tragic illusion that we can teach that killing is wrong by killing. It's time to "Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Surely, Cardinal McCarrick awaits the president's unqualified statement of support for the bishops' initiative.

One assumes that GOP-sponsored legislation aimed at stopping all executions nationwide, effective immediately, also is forthcoming.