Thoughts on the death penalty?

KillerGremlin · 07-07-2009, 04:49 AM

Maybe the death penalty is a good idea in a world where the justice system is flawless and where every convicted criminal is guilty. I dunno. I have a few thoughts but am interested in what you all think.

Apologies if this thread has been done before.

Edit: http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/p...ast_words.html
Some of the last words are touching....some of the last words are humorous. I don't know how you could crack a joke when staring death in the face.

Professor S · 07-07-2009, 09:12 AM

Human life is not ours to take unless it is to save our own.

manasecret · 07-07-2009, 09:52 AM

Like you said KG, maybe if a justice system were flawless then capital punishment would be ok. But as we've seen over and over people are acquitted all the time after many years in prison or on death row, or, after being put to death.

Making amends for putting an innocent person in prison for years is already tough enough. But how do you make amends for putting to death an innocent person?

Now, even if we had a flawless justice system, I think on principle I would still be against the death penalty, I don't believe killing is right when you don't have to. If you have someone in custody, in prison, he's no longer much of a threat to society. And I think life in prison (which is essentially the death penalty by old age) is much worse of a punishment than putting someone out of their misery quickly.

Typhoid · 07-07-2009, 01:58 PM

Well, here we go.

You'd think I'd be for it, but I'm not. The chance of having an innocent person in the place of a guilty one is too big of a risk. If that variable is taken out entirely, then maybe I'd think about it.

One of my best friends was murdered 4 years ago, and I wouldn't wish the death penalty on the kid who did it. It might sound more barbaric, but I'd much prefer he stays in jail his entire life knowing full-well what he did, each and every day. Death would be the easy way out.

Bond · 07-07-2009, 03:40 PM

Personally, I am against the death penalty. I don't find it to be an act that is indicative of the civilized world.

Legally, it should be left to individual states to decide.

KillerGremlin · 07-07-2009, 04:12 PM

I never understood how indirectly putting someone to death through the justice system equates to the loss one would have if their loved one or family member got murdered. Of course I cannot speak on behalf of any victim's family or friends because I don't directly know any immediate family or close friends who have been murdered.

2 points....

1) The family has to endure the long and intense emotional stress of court and trial in order to sentence someone to death row (usually).

2) Killing another person doesn't bring back your lost loved ones.

Professor S · 07-07-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

Legally, it should be left to individual states to decide.

Agreed.

BlueFire · 07-07-2009, 06:52 PM

I'm against it as well. People say it's a cheaper alternative to life in prison, but I'm not convinced (especially because I'm pretty sure it's not true).

I'm curious.. is there anyone here that is for it?

Fox 6 · 07-07-2009, 08:01 PM

Shoot them all and let god sort them out.

Combine 017 · 07-07-2009, 08:33 PM

Some people deserve to die.

Bond · 07-07-2009, 11:04 PM

Too many of us agree on this issue - find another controversial topic, quick!

Swan · 07-08-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

Too many of us agree on this issue - find another controversial topic, quick!

ABORTION!

No we did that a few months ago.

Um, um....

Gay marriage!

No that has been done too...

Hmm...

CANNIBALISM!

KillerGremlin · 07-08-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

Too many of us agree on this issue - find another controversial topic, quick!

Evidently not

I'm down with Swan's cannibalism thread. We could also do anal sex, and Sarah Palin, hot or not.

Swan · 07-08-2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerGremlin

Evidently not

I'm down with Swan's cannibalism thread. We could also do anal sex, and Sarah Palin, hot or not.

Why not kill two birds with one stone and just combine the last two into one topic?

KillerGremlin · 07-08-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swan

Why not kill two birds with one stone and just combine the last two into one topic?

Shit! I would have but I didn't read your post.

That would have been an awesome vote.

"Yes I would nail Sarah Palin. Then I would eat her."

"Yes I would nail Sarah Palin, but I wouldn't eat her."

"No I wouldn't nail Sarah Palin but I sure would eat her!"

"No I wouldn't nail Sarah Palin or eat her."

I'd probably vote for option 1 myself.