I agree with Atlantic Bridge's polite attitude especially concerning German and Polish issues. It's never a problem to give a gentleman's courtesy even in expressing an opinion.
The conservative Germans and the Poles share a conservative Pope. Even if there many of both nations who aren't Catholic, the family values of Pope Benedict XVI will appeal to the universal goals of both societies. Both nations can draw upon their Christian history to counter the aggression of socialist liberal politics and policies.
Neither the position of the state of Texas nor the position of the Spain gouvernment represent my own opinion.
:-)
I just tried to express that most western Europeans see capital punishmet as a fundamental part of the US law system simply as barbaric retaliation. Americans could be offended by this point of view.
Personlly I see capital punishment justified in some very rare occaisions when the guilt and the violence is exeptional. In particular if the survival of the delinquent would endanger other innocent lives I do not have a problem with death penalty (i.e. the survival of Ceauşescu would have endangered many other people).
P.S.
The gap between western Europe and the US is deeper than most realized. One of the reasons lies here. Many western Europeans (as I already said: THIS IS NOT MY POINT OF VIEW) see Gitmo, capital punishment on minors or Abu Graihib just as the outcome of a barbaric and selfish system. Just the same level as some African countries or Red China. Probably over 90% of our people believe that the Iraq-war was just started because of the American hunger for oil. Therefore they do not see any reason to stand on Americas side, since they do not share any common values.
I am also absolutely against capital punishment on minors i.e., but I am intelligent enough not to reduce America to a few issues. If the trans-atlantic relations shall be fixed one day, we need a deep discussion that the base of common values is much broader than it is felt in the public on each side.