Execution by firing squad?

bootygirl - 2010-04-23 10:51 PM

For having fake plants and decorative pillows on their bed?

jmk-brooklyn - 2010-04-23 11:47 PM I have reservations about the death penalty, although I'm for it in principle. I don't think you can support the death penalty but be squeamish about the methods used. To say, "Well, it's ok for the State to execute people, but I think they should do it in a sterile, bloodless, pain-free way," makes no sense to me. Homicide is brutal and ugly and horrifying, whether it's carried out by an individual or by the State. I think more people would question whether capital punishment ought to exist if we weren't so clinical about the way we execute people. I have to believe that there are a lot of people who whole-heartedly support CP who might feel differently if they had to stand under a gallows and watch someone swing. Strapping someone down to a gurney and injecting them full of drugs isn't any less barbaric than putting someone in front of a wall and shooting them, IMO. It's too easy for us to say, "we're not like those other countries (like Saudi Arabia)" because we sterilize the process, but the end result is the same.

NXS - 2010-04-24 7:02 AM

I don't care if it is or isn't a deterrent, those two did not deserve to live in our society.  Its about punishment, not deterrence.

NXS - 2010-04-24 7:02 AM Several years ago a friend's parents were brutally murdered in their bedroom.  What they went through was beyond belief.  The two murderers were convicted and put to death.  I don't care if it is or isn't a deterrent, those two did not deserve to live in our society.  Its about punishment, not deterrence.

ChineseDemocracy - 2010-04-24 7:16 AM

I don't think anyone advocated allowing murderers to "live in our society."  Ideally, I'd like to see them live long, miserable lives in isolation and harsh conditions.  Never seeing or hearing another human's voice.  No books, tv, pen, paper, etc.  Nothing.  They deserve misery...not to be put out of their misery...in my opinion.

ChineseDemocracy - 2010-04-24 7:16 AM

I don't think anyone advocated allowing murderers to "live in our society."  Ideally, I'd like to see them live long, miserable lives in isolation and harsh conditions.  Never seeing or hearing another human's voice.  No books, tv, pen, paper, etc.  Nothing.  They deserve misery...not to be put out of their misery...in my opinion.

AcesFull - 2010-04-24 3:05 PM

I'm not against capital punishment on moral grounds.  I really could care less if we decide to off some murderer.  The problems with capital punishment are many.  Firstly, there is a growing body of evidence that we have put to death many innocent people.  The innocence project has gone back and used DNA evidence to exonerate many "murderers," and until we can be more certain, it seems a very bad idea to put folks to death who might not have done the crime. 

Issue #2: In cases where we are sure (and remember, all those wrongly sentenced were convicted "beyond reasonable doubt"), the death penalty is applied unequally across race lines.  If black folk deserve to die for certain crimes, so do white folk. 

Issue #3: It doesn't work.  The death penalty does nothing to deter people.  In theory it should, but the kind of person who commits a murder with special circumstances is not sitting around thinking, "well, I'd better not do this, I might get the chair, instead of life in prison."  Your typical murderer is not a wise planner, and the death penalty has failed as a deterrant.

Issue #4: Its too damn expensive. Each death penalty carried out costs millions (some estimates range as low as $2 million, and as high as $37 million per sentance carried out).  Life imprisonment costs a fraction of this, and in cases where the person is eventually exonerated, a life sentence is partially reversable.  A death sentence is not.

If for no other reason, number 4 should be the convincer.  It costs 6 to 12 times more to try a death penalty case, and millions to put someone to death.  In troubled economic times, I'd rather not blow my money that way. 

elcaminobill - 2010-04-24 7:25 PM Will probably get some negative responses but I don't really care.. I found guilty, make it as painful and awful as possible and televise it.  Next guy may think twice before his act.  Compassion is for civilized people, someone who commits brutal murder is not civilized.