Interesting article on the death penalty, "Pragmatic Reasons to be anti death penalty" Options

[The Fanatic]

http://peteholiday.newsvine.com/_news/2006...i-death-penalty

Discuss!

[Mommy]

I dont support the death penalty, but I dont actively rally against it either. The ONLY reason I am against it is because I feel bad for those people that have to carry out the sentence...those law abiding citizens that have to kill people for a job. I think it would be a very depressing job. I dont think I could be responsible for the death of someone who may be truly sorry for their past actions. Thats just me.

Think about that movie Monster's Ball.

I used to support the death penalty until Timmothy McVeigh (sp) was put to death. I dont know why that is because I think that he deserved what he was given. I think its because it was first time I had ever watched a highly publicized criminal speak to the media minutes before being executed.

[pysex]

it's too bad we don't use it more often

[The Fanatic]

My general opinion is that the death penalty should only be used in the most EXTREME cases. For example, if some guy kills 35 prostitutes and eats them; he should get the death penalty. Same goes for crimes against humanity. Generally speaking though, there is not really any support for keeping the death penalty. it is very expensive with the appeals, does not really deter crime, and it is basically a form of "blood law". Do we want to have a justice system that serves revenge or justice?

[Rocky]

If the courts find it as proveable as can be that the person in question committed some socially "heinous" crime, they should only be killed by the family of the victim[s]. No quick and easy death, no bullets, no lethal injection.


And then I'd personally say if the killer survives, he should be let free soon after, always under radar. Maybe on the next serious offense they can be tortured as inhumanely as possible.


Not joking, btw.

[The Fanatic]

I agree partially, although I don't think punishment should be administered by civilians. after the trial take them out back and shoot them, but only if the evidence is overwhelming. (lots of dna, physical evidence, witnesses).

I think we should toughen prisons as well. Make them work in cotton fields and what have you.

Also we need to bring back public executions, that would deter crime more imo.

This post has been edited by Dr. Gonzo: Jan 16 2007, 05:18 PM

[Billy]

I think all criminals should be educated. They should be housed in poor conditions and are severely tortured (electroshock, cold water drops, sleep deprivation; nothing like losing a limb) if they fail a test. Kind of a brainwashing for criminals and then let them back into society when they've lost all sense of themselves and forgot why they were in prison to begin with, except for the mental anguish they get when they have criminal thoughts.

However, this could become a '1984' where this system is used for political reasons.

[Rocky]

I agree partially, although I don't think punishment should be administered by civilians. after the trial take them out back and shoot them, but only if the evidence is overwhelming. (lots of dna, physical evidence, witnesses).

I think we should toughen prisons as well. Make them work in cotton fields and what have you.

Also we need to bring back public executions, that would deter crime more imo.

My qualm with a quick death is this :

Let's say that I go on a murder/rape/candy stealing/order water but get dr. pepper - spree. I know that I personally wouldn't settle for some bullshit number. I'd have at least 20 bodies next to my name. Lord knows I'd try for many many more.


I understand fully that if/when I'm caught, that I will be killed by either my inmates or an executioner for the government, at some time down the line.

So realistically I've already come to terms with my death.

If anything I'd laugh about how the weak government was going to put a bullet in my head because it was the easiest way out, and my murders would remain.

Conversely, I'd say how they will have me rot in prison, and subject me to harsh circumstances but my victims still remain dead.


This is why I say the let the victim's families/loved ones bring out some hardcore old timey anger and vengeance. I still die, the victims stay dead - but the message gets out that a truly horrific death could await you for evil deeds.

And really, there isn't much else that can be done. Simply because my crimes can't be undone. No matter what, the killer does in fact "win." No matter what. So somebody may as well have a chance to show some true brute retaliation.


In the end, lethal injection is nothing more than a diet coke retaliation, given by some faceless entity.

[FORSAKENR320]

i believe that instead of the death penalty, we should implement a "catch and release" program . basically those people with serious issues of murder and crimes, put an exploding device in their skin, and unleash them with some weaponry on a country we currently hate. let them commit murders and heinous acts in THAT country. if the civilians catch them and kill them, have we really lost anything? if they don't kill, we could alays blow the fuckers up anyway.

[Aaron]

Like Jessica, I am against the death penalty but it isn't something that I spend much time thinking about.

From a purely intellectual standpoint, I don't think that the state should be in the business of killing its citizens. If murder is a morally reprehensible act, and I would think that most of us agree on that point, then I have a hard time understanding why murder is okay as long as our government is the one handling the noose.

The above paragraph makes it sound as if I'm super hardcore about it but I'm really not. Furthermore, my "purely intellectual" opinion would probably change in an instant if a member of my family was murdered.

If I could change five national laws or policies, I doubt the death penalty would be something I addressed. Although... I'm not sure if I could make the United States more like Western Europe by only changing five laws...

[impala454]

i'm definitely pro death penalty. one thing that pisses me off is the whole "cruel & unusual punishment" thing. you can go and rip someone's guts out through their asshole while they're still alive, but if you get the death penalty, oooh we better make sure its humane.. we better make sure they're fed & clothed in jail. gimme a f'n break. if we caned publicly caned people for vandalism, there'd be a lot less vandalism, if you catch my drift.

[woody]

for people who make the argument that the death penalty deters people from commiting violent crimes...bullshit

the death penalty in america is too nice for that. if you want that shit, you're gonna have to do public hangings, firing squad, guillotine, etc. to make people really not want to commit violent crimes.

i don't like the death penalty as it is because it's costs too much money when they're on death row for 12 years before it's carried out. i think that if you give a guilty confession & want the death penalty you should be able to pick the date. i think that if a DNA test can prove if you're innocent or guilty you get 3 tests done by different labs and if all come back as you guilty, given the death penalty is on the table, it should be carried out within 6 months. i've told people this and they always ask who's going to pay for the tests. i say the gov't cause we flip the bill on their ass hanging around a cell for 12 years, we can flip a few K's for some DNA tests if it'll save us alot more money in the long run

that's just me

This post has been edited by woody: Jan 16 2007, 10:16 PM

[The Fanatic]

I think all criminals should be educated. They should be housed in poor conditions and are severely tortured (electroshock, cold water drops, sleep deprivation; nothing like losing a limb) if they fail a test. Kind of a brainwashing for criminals and then let them back into society when they've lost all sense of themselves and forgot why they were in prison to begin with, except for the mental anguish they get when they have criminal thoughts.

However, this could become a '1984' where this system is used for political reasons.

Re-education does not work. Once an inmate becomes institutionalized, it is very hard to resume life on the outside. In most instances, ex cons end up in prison within a year or so.

[Divergent Realit...]

i think that if you give a guilty confession & want the death penalty you should be able to pick the date.

if they are able to pick the date will they also be able to pick the method. what if they pick hanging? and lets say this inmate porks out to be too fat for the hanging.

in these situations, an alternative 'wild card' lottery style choice should be in the mix.

once the date is set then that person will die on that date.

if they do not meet the restrictions for said form of execution, they get the random card.

be it guillotine, firing squad, long drop, space dump, deep sea exposure, etc.

[The Fanatic]

Do we really want to punish a person the way they want to be punished. I would think that it would be more just to reward a prison who pleaded guilty to life imprisonment, since they at least admit guilt and perhaps remorse...