This is part 1 of a 2 part podcast which examines the use of the death penalty in the United States. In this first part we look at the history of the death penalty around the world and in the United States, compare the different beliefs of the Democratic and Reoublican Parties concerning the death penalty and see how the California Innocence Project has tried to influence that state's stance on the subject. The episode also covers Joe Manchin's decision to oppose the Build Back Better Act. Finally, beware if you are a racoon living in the Commonwealth of Virginia.