comparing the USA to Iran or Saudi Arabia is ludicrous!

In saying that, Bill D, you are comparing them, and on the basis of that comparison indicate that you think there are very significant differences. That's what "comparison" is about.

What the Cardinal actually said the US kept "invidious company" with countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran. Insofar as these are among the minority of countries which have retained the death penalty, that is perfectly true.

Here's a fuller list of such countries:

    * Afghanistan
    * Antigua and Barbuda
    * Bahamas
    * Bahrain
    * Bangladesh
    * Barbados
    * Belarus
    * Belize
    * Botswana
    * Burundi
    * Cameroon
    * Chad
    * China (People's Republic)
    * Comoros
    * Congo (Democratic Republic)
    * Cuba
    * Dominica
    * Egypt
    * Equatorial Guinea
    * Eritrea
    * Ethiopia
    * Gabon
    * Ghana
    * Guatemala
    * Guinea
    * Guyana
    * India
    * Indonesia
    * Iran
    * Iraq
    * Jamaica
    * Japan
    * Jordan
    * Korea, North
    * Korea, South
    * Kuwait
    * Laos
    * Lebanon
    * Lesotho
    * Libya
    * Malawi
    * Malaysia
    * Mongolia
    * Nigeria
    * Oman
    * Pakistan
    * Palestinian Authority
    * Qatar
    * St. Kitts and Nevis
    * St. Lucia
    * St. Vincent and the Grenadines
    * Saudi Arabia
    * Sierra Leone
    * Singapore
    * Somalia
    * Sudan
    * Swaziland
    * Syria
    * Taiwan
    * Tajikistan
    * Tanzania
    * Thailand
    * Trinidad and Tobago
    * Uganda
    * United Arab Emirates
    * United States
    * Vietnam
    * Yemen
    * Zambia
    * Zimbabwe