There is a new documentary out on the travesty of the death penalty in the United States. The documentary specifically covers the time leading up to when Governor Ryan placed a moratorium on executions in the State of Illinois. The film "Deadline" was a 2004 entry at Sundance. Hopefully, it will be released to some independent theaters or become available on cable.

The article made some poignant statements. The first, reflects on remarks made by novelist Scott Turow who was a part of a special commission created by Governor Ryan. The article notes: "Turow points out that in the case of the death penalty, one mistake is too many, not only for the person executed, but for the whole edifice of justice." It is so true. The tragedy of a mistake with the death penalty extends well beyond the life and family of the person executed. It also flys in the face of justice herself.

The second statement relates to President Bush. It speaks for itself:

"Yet Illinois is surely not the only state with this problem. What of the 152 people who were executed in Texas when George Bush was governor? When running for election in 2000, Bush said he was 100 percent sure everybody he executed was guilty. He was also 100 percent sure about the 'weapons of mass destruction' in Iraq."

New documentary indicts death penalty