Not Easy Being Green

The Green Party’s stance on the death penalty is to abolish the death penalty. The website for the Green Party of Texas has a posting for an upcoming statewide march to end executions. http://txgreens.org/drupal/node/129 Before writing this blog entry I had no idea the Green Party even had a stance on the death penalty, I just assumed their whole platform was just concerned with the environment. That sort of thinking is something, I think is more common than not. Most people are uninformed about the Green Party. We as a society have been immersed in the two party systems, that even the huge issues that the outside parties cover go unnoticed. It seems that the Green Party has a very solid and well rounded platform that doesn’t just center on the environment.

In this article the writer, Art Browning left a link to a very touching tribute article he wrote for the Houston Independent Media Center and states, “Friends and supporters joined the families for a graveside commemoration, bringing memories, songs, photos, and poems to share, honoring the memory of these three innocent people who were taken from us by the state of Texas: Shaka Sankofa (Gary Graham), Frances Newton, and Joseph Nichols.” It’s very depressing to see pictures of real family members having to deal with the knowledge that their loved ones were not only wrongly imprisoned but wrongly executed. I don’t know how I would deal with such an injustice if I were in their shoes. Personally this is the only reason I’m against the death penalty, the ‘what if it’s the wrong guy’ clause that I just can’t seem to get past.

The Green Party’s website was very informative on many big issues besides the environment. They have many events and marches planned for the recent future like the, Troops Out Now pro-peace rally on January 27. Stuff like that is really important for that party to align itself with. A solid stance on the issues is key to keeping a solid base. That’s something the Green Party seems to possess, an unwavering commitment to their ideals. I’ve noticed the Green Party for years and always considered the people I met associated with it to be very smart individuals.

The 3rd party platform debates were a bit of an eye opener for me. The Green Party has some very clear and eloquent speakers that give off a well educated grasp of the issues. It will take time for this party to really make headway and get on the Texas ballot permanently but I see this happening in my lifetime. Its exciting to see a grass roots party come to fruition like the Green Party is doing. They are a good example of what American government can be if you just stick to your guns.