First Libby, Now Ethiopia

First Bush commuted Libby's sentence, claiming it was too severe. Now, the U.S. government is telling Ethiopia what to do in their court of law. This, from a government led by a man who had no problem executing people as the governor of Texas. When did Bush become a judge? Hell, for that matter, when did he become a lawyer? Oh wait, I forgot!! He's the KING OF THE WORLD!!

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States expressed surprise Monday by an Ethiopian prosecutor's push for the death penalty for 38 opposition figures convicted of plotting to overthrow Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

US officials instead called for the government to move toward national reconciliation in dealing with the 38, who were convicted in a trial last month for planning a coup against Zenawi in the wake of disputed 2005 polls.

"The United States is surprised by the recommendation by the Ethiopian government prosecutor that the High Court sentence the 38 opposition leaders found guilty on June 11th with the death sentence," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

"We call on the Ethiopian government and High Court to take action in making a final sentencing determination which is consistent with the greater objectives of bolstering the rule of law and promoting much-needed reconciliation."

The 38 are among more than 100 opposition figures put on trial for the coup plot in the wake of elections in 2005 which the opposition claims were rigged.

The group included four journalists as well as Hailu Shawl and Bernahu Nega, two top members of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy party.

A senior US official who asked to remain anonymous said the measured US response to the prosecutor's recommendation stems from a desire not to impede negotiations ongoing between the government and the opposition over the case.

"There is a separate process that is under way. It's an informal process where the sort-of leaders of the Ethiopian society are working with the government on some sort of reconciliation to this," the official said.

Excuse me? The last time I looked, Ethiopia wasn't run by the United States government. If they want to seek the death penalty against these people, that is their right. The United States government has no business getting involved here. Now they think that they can dictate appropriate punishments in other countries!! What's next George? Are you going to commute their death sentences?

Despite the fact that I'm against the death penalty, I believe that Ethiopia has a right to impose whatever punishment they are allowed to under ETHIOPIAN LAW. Once the punishment is decided, people can bitch. But the United States government needs to stay the hell out of this matter. They don't like it when other countries say something to them, so SHUT THE HELL UP!!