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Louweasel · 01-25-2005, 03:37 AM

No, no and thrice no. It's barbaric. Shouldn't people have a chance to be sorry and mend their ways? It's not about punishment, it's about revenge for the family of the dead person, and since when did revenge ever solve anything? Politicians support so they are "seen to be doing" something. If trials were not reported in the media and nobody knew when someone was executed, I bet it wouldn't happen. PR.

In a less nebulous vein (apologies for the mixed metaphor), it's not an effective deterrent -are there fewer murders in the US? No.
And for those who say "why should we pay our taxes to support them in jail for years?" - it's actually more expensive to execute, due to all the appeals (court costs) and the costliness of death row.

Frankly I think states that have the death penalty are dangerously backward; a lot of them defend it with some twist of Christianity, conveniently forgetting about the principles of forgiveness and repentance (hard to repent if they've already fried your brain) - has anyone read "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood? It's the thin end of the fundamentalist wedge.

Zilverzmurfen · 01-25-2005, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUDICROUS

CP, are you for it?

Would someone care to explain what "Capital Punishment" means?

cornflower · 01-25-2005, 05:26 AM

Death as a punishment for a Capital offense.

Zilverzmurfen · 01-25-2005, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornflower

Death as a punishment for a Capital offense.

Ok so it this the same then as saying "Death Penalty", I mean, are the two interchangeable?

Schiavona · 01-25-2005, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louweasel

No, no and thrice no. It's barbaric. Shouldn't people have a chance to be sorry and mend their ways? It's not about punishment, it's about revenge for the family of the dead person, and since when did revenge ever solve anything? Politicians support so they are "seen to be doing" something. If trials were not reported in the media and nobody knew when someone was executed, I bet it wouldn't happen. PR.

In a less nebulous vein (apologies for the mixed metaphor), it's not an effective deterrent -are there fewer murders in the US? No.
And for those who say "why should we pay our taxes to support them in jail for years?" - it's actually more expensive to execute, due to all the appeals (court costs) and the costliness of death row.

Frankly I think states that have the death penalty are dangerously backward; a lot of them defend it with some twist of Christianity, conveniently forgetting about the principles of forgiveness and repentance (hard to repent if they've already fried your brain) - has anyone read "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood? It's the thin end of the fundamentalist wedge.

Not every state in the US has a death penalty.

For myself, I admit to being conflicted.
I do believe that every death diminishes humanity.
I also believe that some people stop being human and become predators, preying on humanity (monsters, if you will).
I don't believe that capital punishment is a deterrent, but those who are put to death cannot kill again.

I find as I get older things become less and less clear. The part of my religion that has always affected me most deeply is the idea that anyone can be redeemed of their sins (though I do believe this is possible after death).

cornflower · 01-25-2005, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

Ok so it this the same then as saying "Death Penalty", I mean, are the two interchangeable?

Yeah, they're pretty much the same. Although I'd say that "Capital Punishment" is a more eloquent term for it.

cornflower · 01-25-2005, 07:44 AM

Or perhaps an euphemism since "Capital Punishment" doesn't mention death.

LordTofuDog-jnr · 01-25-2005, 07:55 AM

Capital Punishment is a retarded idea.
---
What if the person is innocent?

The executioner becomes as guilty as the victim.

"Eye for and eye" is only going to cause more suffering.

Why is it that around 90% of Texas' executions are of black people?

All it takes is one sadistic judge and people will by dying all over the place.

Seventy years of maximum security prison surrounded by "lonely" men is worse that a quick death.

HillBilly · 01-25-2005, 08:44 AM

hell no!

Tazz · 01-25-2005, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyrddinsPrecint

i really am not fond of rapists.....

I think rapists should have a certain part of their body amputated

telkanuru · 01-25-2005, 09:43 AM

Since it has been proven in study after study that the Death Penalty is not a deterrant for crime, it seems that the only purpose of its continued existance is for vengance, and that is definitely not justice. Sure, if someone I loved was murdured, or some such, I would want the S.O.B. to fry, but that's why I don't get to make that choice.

Zilverzmurfen · 01-25-2005, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazz

I think rapists should have a certain part of their body amputated

Yeah, their head.

Soldier · 01-25-2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

Yeah, their head.

...last.

Start at the ankles.

Gav · 01-25-2005, 11:35 AM

Big Fat nay.

I believe that in the US children are still given the death penalty in some states.

Philistine · 01-25-2005, 12:33 PM

I'm for the death penalty at least conceptually--to me some crimes do merit death.

However, IMHO the way the death penalty is currently being administered in the US is fundamentally broken.

--Philistine

Phoenix · 01-25-2005, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gav

Big Fat nay.

I believe that in the US children are still given the death penalty in some states.

Do you know of any states that does this? I have never heard this at all. If you are under that age of 18, you are tried as a juvinal, but there are some cases where they are procecuted as an adult. Probably the worst they would get is life, maybe patrol when they are like 65. I don't think a jury could say,
"Fry the 10 year old! YAHHHH!!!!!"

Moonitic · 01-25-2005, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyrddinsPrecint

i'm very firmly against the death penalty.

that said, there is at least one person who i'd kill and take whatever punishment was given to me-- if i had a clear opportunity....

i really am not fond of rapists.....

They would be LOTS of fun to use as fencing dummies. Groin shot practice. Perhaps with a "live" blade (sharpened tip). Yes...

I'd have to include child molesters in that bunch.

And people who make me late for appointments (there is a story behind this...)

My answer to the question? Hmm...maybe. But I am in no way able to make such a large decision. I do not envy anyone (judges, juries) put into such a position.

Philistine · 01-25-2005, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Do you know of any states that does this? I have never heard this at all. If you are under that age of 18, you are tried as a juvinal, but there are some cases where they are procecuted as an adult. Probably the worst they would get is life, maybe patrol when they are like 65. I don't think a jury could say,
"Fry the 10 year old! YAHHHH!!!!!"

Well--Missouri, for one.

A number of states allow the death penalty for crimes committed when a person was under 18 years old. Link for information on which ones. In 1988 the Supreme Court held that where a state's statute doesn't specify an age--16 is the cutoff age.

The Supreme Court recently heard argument in a case (Roper v. Simmons, out of Missouri) where the issue is teed up, and the Court is faced with the question of whether it is unconstitutional to allow an execution of someone who committed crimes when he was under 18 years old. The decision should come down in about a month.

At least in the modern era--no one under 18 has ever been executed--nor is it likely, given the length of time of the appeals process in a capital case.

--Philistine

LUDICROUS · 01-25-2005, 03:58 PM

Rapists should be put inside an Iron Maiden torture device, but after they get a live rendition of Iron Maiden's "Iron Maiden" song. Then they should be hung upside down over a pool of burning sulphur. Their eyes would slowly pop out/explode/whatever due to the pressure, and the sulphur fumes would burn their insides. Then used as target practice by the victims family using Desert Eagle pistols loaded with expanding gas tip ammunition.

I just think rapists are the worst of the worst. (that don't murder, then they are the worst)

D+F+P=Hadouken! · 01-25-2005, 04:05 PM

Life in prison is expensive, shotgun shells are cheap. We can do alot more good with that extra million per lifetime than we would with them in prison doing nothing for society. Besides that, killing a murderer is not bad because you're removing a bad thing off the planet.....its for the good.