Death Penalty-Change your mind yet?

[h2oot]

In principle I'm against the death penalty. I believe that capital punishment is God's perogative and not mine, and that redemption is possible.

However, that being said--a huge part of me also believes that some people DO commit crimes so henious they have in fact choosen to forfeit their life by their deeds.

I know this is contradictory, its the head vs. the heart. I once met Sister Prejean who wrote "Dead Man Walking" and she is very convincing in her beliefs. Its a tough call, either way. But I also know, that if a daughter of mine were to be brutally raped or murdered like the women in Baton Rouge, I would be first in line to stick the lethal injection in his arm.

[texas*princess]

ok just for clarification, in my last post i meant it was up to the police/investigation people to get the facts right in the cases that are prosecuting innocent people..

sorry if i'm pissing anyone off, but really.. in the original post they asked for an opinion on the death penalty.... i stated my opinion and why and all of a sudden some ppl are getting rowdy. maybe i should just reply with a simple 'yes' or no' next time this is all about opinions... some people are for it.. some people are against it... if someone has a different opinion than mine i don't have a problem with it... i think diversity in opinion is what makes the world so great.

[Dionysus]

I am for the death penalty because not using the punishment exceeds the harm of using the death penalty, also the death penalty increases deterrence.

Using the death penalty prevents 100% likelyhood of the suspect committing crimes in the future. People (well most) naturally fear death and if death is the punishment for committing violent crimes, people will think twice before doing so.

[RACooper]

I, myself am personally against the death penalty.

First off, I am glad that Canada does not have the death penalty (except for extreme cases - ie. war). I believe that if civilized society believes that killing is wrong, then they should not violate that tenet with a state/society sanctioned killing. Having someone rotting away in prison for the rest of their natural life without the possibilty of porale seems to be the ideal punishment. Also mistakes happen, we have seen this happen up here; for example a man was convicted of kidnapping, raping, and killing his 8 year neighboor.... 13 years later evidence turns up proving him innocent. Even one mistake is too much for me.

Now before everyone jumps to the conclusion that I am a left-wing, tree-hugging hippie; let me state that I am a conservative and proud supporter of the Monarchy. I also served in the Canadian Armed Forces. I have seen people that I believed had no right to a contuinued existence; rapist, murders, and all matter of human filth. When civilized society breaks down, as it does on any frontline, there is no longer any society to enforce its morals, ethics, and laws. In cases like this a death penalty becomes a viable recourse.... however it is also open to abuse.

When serving with the UN I had the misfortune of witnessing acts of barbarity and cruelty that haunt me still. While I take comfort in the fact that through my actions there are seven peices of shit that will never harm anyone again; I am not proud of that fact.

[librasoul22]

Originally posted by Dionysus
I am for the death penalty because not using the punishment exceeds the harm of using the death penalty, also the death penalty increases deterrence.

Actually studies have shown that the death penalty does NOT increase deterrence.

Using the death penalty prevents 100% likelyhood of the suspect committing crimes in the future. People (well most) naturally fear death and if death is the punishment for committing violent crimes, people will think twice before doing so.

The death penalty is not only differentially applied (which is MY major issue), it also costs YOU the taxpayer A LOT of money.

The United States has the highest crime rate in the world. Does the death penalty really deter anything?

[Optimist Prime]

I hate having the high crime rate. I don't like Pat Buchanon's politics, but I saw an interview with him and he had one really good idea. We should switch to a parlimentary system.

[KSig RC]

Originally posted by librasoul22
Actually studies have shown that the death penalty does NOT increase deterrence.

cite. (you're welcome)

and moreover . . .
The death penalty is not only differentially applied (which is MY major issue) . . . *trimmed*

I figured I would head off the firestorm this was invariably going to cause:

% of Executed who were black:
57% (executed)

% of Death Row Inmates who are black:
43% (same cite as above)

% of all (single-offender) violent crimes committed by blacks:
24.1% (requires Acrobat Reader)
(statistics for year 2000)

% of US population reported as "African-American":
12.9%
(year 2000 census)

---

OK - so there's still some comparative flaws in this breakdown, but you can start to see a disparity forming . . .

And that's w/out even including my opinion in the matter - these are just the cold, hard numbers.

[librasoul22]

Originally posted by KSig RC


cite. (you're welcome)



I figured I would head off the firestorm this was invariably going to cause:

% of Executed who were black:
57% (executed)

% of Death Row Inmates who are black:
43% (same cite as above)

% of all (single-offender) violent crimes committed by blacks:
24.1% (requires Acrobat Reader)
(statistics for year 2000)

% of US population reported as "African-American":
12.9%
(year 2000 census)

---

OK - so there's still some comparative flaws in this breakdown, but you can start to see a disparity forming . . .

And that's w/out even including my opinion in the matter - these are just the cold, hard numbers.

KSig RC...my hero!

[KillarneyRose]

I won't change my mind until there is an alternative that can 100 percent,
absolutely,
no matter what,
completely foolproof,
impossible to foil,
not a chance in he**,
no way no how,
guarantee that the criminal will never walk free again.

Then I'd be glad to talk.

And no, life in prison without the possibility of parole because there is always the possibility, however remote, of escape.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by KillarneyRose
I won't change my mind until there is an alternative that can 100 percent,
absolutely,
no matter what,
completely foolproof,
impossible to foil,
not a chance in he**,
no way no how,
guarantee that the criminal will never walk free again.

Then I'd be glad to talk.

And no, life in prison without the possibility of parole because there is always the possibility, however remote, of escape.

What if you got the wrong guy and the criminal is still out there? I don't think you've got a method that provides you with that much needed assurance.

-Rudey
--It's a war zone out there.

[Dionysus]

Originally posted by Rudey


What if you got the wrong guy and the criminal is still out there? I don't think you've got a method that provides you with that much needed assurance.

Yes, but how often does this happen?

[KSig RC]

Originally posted by Dionysus


Yes, but how often does this happen?

How often does a capital offender escape prison when sentenced to Life w/out Parole?

[Rudey]

Originally posted by Dionysus


Yes, but how often does this happen?

Please read the previous posts in the thread. I actually posted a large list of names.

-Rudey
--Bliss

[librasoul22]

Originally posted by Dionysus


Yes, but how often does this happen?

LOL @ Rudey.

It happens far more often that you might imagine.

Question...would you like to be on the jury that sentences someone to death (assuming that it is not the judge's call)?

Also to the people who favor the death penalty. What if it was your mother/father/close relative or friend that was getting the sentence? Would you still feel the same way? BE HONEST.

It doesn't hit close to home for most of you, but if you give honest consideration to some often overlooked things, you might see this differently.

[Dionysus]

Originally posted by librasoul22


LOL @ Rudey.

It happens far more often that you might imagine.

1 in 1,000,000? 1 in 1,000? 1 in 10? Those who are punished that are guilty still exceeds those who are punished that are innocent.

Question...would you like to be on the jury that sentences someone to death (assuming that it is not the judge's call)?

Also to the people who favor the death penalty. What if it was your mother/father/close relative or friend that was getting the sentence? Would you still feel the same way? BE HONEST.

It doesn't hit close to home for most of you, but if you give honest consideration to some often overlooked things, you might see this differently.

Damn girl, why must you go there? LOL
I was speaking from a objective POV. Yes I must say, if family member or friend is getting the sentence, I would say nay for death penalty.

If I was on a jury, it would depend on the severity of the crime.