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Do You Support The Death Penalty?
Shasta542:
What will you do with child rapists---they are not able to be rehabilitated with any guarantees. So---just make them have life with NO possibility for parole? Because I'm not going to trust them around children ever again. And you know--from the news that mothers will sometimes take in a man over the welfare of her children, so you can't always trust the moms to protect the kids.
I'm iffy on the death penalty. I don't think it should be used when there is no DNA, or confession, or eyewitness account, but then you get into the mistaken identity with the eyewitness. It's a dilemma that I go back and forth with at different times.
I definitely don't believe that everyone can be rehabilitated. I think some judges are too lenient with sentencing at times, too.
Lynne:
I am opposed to the death penalty for some of the reasons others have mentioned.
It is without question not applied equitably across racial and socioeconomic lines. I don't think capital punishment deters capital crimes. And if the goal of the death penalty is to protect society from violent offenders, then that goal can be accomplished by a life sentence without parole just as well. To me it seems that the death penalty is vengeance, not justice.
And I guess I have an inherent distrust of the 'system.' I don't think it's worth what I call the moral risk that even ONE innocent person be executed. There have been many stories - I should go look for articles - of people being freed from prison when new technology can be applied to old evidence, etc.
Some people think that disapproving of the death penalty means that you have more concern for criminals than victims, but I disagree there too. Capital punishment doesn't bring back the loved ones that people have lost - the criminal dies, sure, but the violence is perpetuated and creates more victims. Now the family and friends of the criminal have lost a loved one violently too. I would prefer my tax dollars be spent intervening in the formative years and deterring people from turning to lives of crime - solve the problems of poverty and drugs and treat the mentally ill and you've gone a long way toward eradicating violent crime.
And who are we, as a society, to ask doctors, wardens, and the scores of other people involved in executions to actually *do* that job?! That's reprehensible, IMO.
If I die as a victim of a crime, I don't want the perpetrator put to death (and I need to put in my will so my wishes will at least be considered if there is a conviction).
David In Indy:
Pro Death Penalty Rallies
Anti Death Penalty Protests
Which U.S. States Support The Death Penalty? Illustrative Maps.
Several Of The Execution Methods Currently Used In The United States
Electric Chair (Old Sparky)
Lethal Injection Table
Gas Chamber
(Images copied from various websites on the Internet.)
David In Indy:
--- Quote from: Lynne on October 01, 2007, 09:08:35 pm ---I am opposed to the death penalty for some of the reasons others have mentioned.
It is without question not applied equitably across racial and socioeconomic lines. I don't think capital punishment deters capital crimes. And if the goal of the death penalty is to protect society from violent offenders, then that goal can be accomplished by a life sentence without parole just as well. To me it seems that the death penalty is vengeance, not justice.
And I guess I have an inherent distrust of the 'system.' I don't think it's worth what I call the moral risk that even ONE innocent person be executed. There have been many stories - I should go look for articles - of people being freed from prison when new technology can be applied to old evidence, etc.
Some people think that disapproving of the death penalty means that you have more concern for criminals than victims, but I disagree there too. Capital punishment doesn't bring back the loved ones that people have lost - the criminal dies, sure, but the violence is perpetuated and creates more victims. Now the family and friends of the criminal have lost a loved one violently too. I would prefer my tax dollars be spent intervening in the formative years and deterring people from turning to lives of crime - solve the problems of poverty and drugs and treat the mentally ill and you've gone a long way toward eradicating violent crime.
And who are we, as a society, to ask doctors, wardens, and the scores of other people involved in executions to actually *do* that job?! That's reprehensible, IMO.
If I die as a victim of a crime, I don't want the perpetrator put to death (and I need to put in my will so my wishes will at least be considered if there is a conviction).
--- End quote ---
I always found it strange that most of the people who support the death penalty also consider themselves Evangelical Christians. I thought one of the most important rules of Christianity was "Thou Shalt Not Kill"?
I feel this is yet another example of "Christians" bending and shaping the rules of their religion to suit their needs.
I fully agree with everything you said Lynne. Thanks for your comments! :)
David In Indy:
--- Quote from: MaineWriter on October 01, 2007, 07:08:38 pm ---I am completely opposed to the death penalty and have operationalized that in my life by refusing to live in a death penalty state. Maine is one of 12 states in the US without a death penalty statute; in addition, it is outlawed in the District of Columbia.
It is barbaric and inhumane.
Maybe you should think about moving, David.
L
--- End quote ---
Not only is Indiana a death penalty state, but Federal executions also take place here. Timothy McVeigh was executed in Terre Haute, Indiana.
(Image copied from a website on the Internet)
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