I'm a big fan of Steve Earle, but we part trails on the death penalty subject. His argument makes some sense, and was essentially Thoreau's argument in opposing the Mexican War back in the mid 1800s. The problem with it is that, no matter what policy the government pursues from the conduct of war to funding school lunches, it is easy to find someone vehemently opposed. He has a right to maintain his opposition, but the government's responsibility is primarily with the will of the majority.