Richard, I am very sorry to learn of your tragic losses. You do have the capacity to speak from experience on this issue rather than the abstract angle from which those like myself approach it.
But I must still respectfully disagree with your stance. One way of reasoning out my argument could go like this...with every execution, the executioner arguably becomes a murderer in turn--he/she certainly becomes a killer, with all the moral anxieties that that term should invoke. Where does the cycle end? It can only logically end when the state no longer forces people into this position.
And I cannot condone the sadism, however latent it might be, in the attitudes I am reading of in this thread. Gleefully killing a gleeful killer makes one in turn a gleeful killer. Where is the morality or honor in that? I know I am setting myself up here for potential enmity or reproach, but I feel it is my responsibility as a citizen and a human being to acknowledge my observation, however inflammatory it may be, and to condemn it.
Scott,
Feel free to disagree with me anytime!
If we all shared the same opinion it would be a very boring world!!
In respose, I myself find no glee in the carrying out of that punishment. It is a sad situation for the family of the beast who comitted the murder. His mother still loves him, his children still need him. However, he made a choice to commit a heinous crime. The punishment for said crime is death. An executioner carrying out a sentance mandated by our courts is not a killer.
He is doing his job. The criminal is the one whom the sentance is being carried out upon. There are consequences to actions, I learned that very early on. These monsters either didn't learn that or don't care.
Housing them feeding them and taking care of them is not justice.
here is the definition of Justice
jusĀ·tice (jsts)
n.
1. The quality of being just; fairness.
2.
a. The principle of moral rightness; equity.
b. Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness.
3.
a. The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law.
b. Law The administration and procedure of law.
4. Conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason
Is it fair to the victim and theie family if the muderer of their loved one gets to live out their life in an institution where there every need is met? Is it morally right for that same situation to take place.
We have good decent people barely getting by in society who would love three hot meals a day, a hot shower, a bed to sleep on at night, cable TV and other amenities. Why should our tax dollars got to provide that for animals who kill our family members? What have they done to deserve that? I would much rather my tax dollars go for that then to house a killer.
I'd rather people make the right decisions and take resposibility for their own lives but if tax dollars have to be spent I'd rather them be spent on the poor and needy than murderers!
To say they are in prison and it's a horrible place is true but to be on the street or in a delapitated house with no electricity, food or comfort is worse because those people didn't break the law to be in their situation.