The Death Penalty - Page 7

Ivan · #61 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesJeuxSontFaits";p=&quot

Even if the whole world will end up blind and toothless...At least then it's equal, eh?

Erm--Not responding to that last bit.

Your first statement proves my point exactly. That's been said, yes, but when? 1200s BC or something? Do you really intend to live by the same laws written in the 13th century BC? If you truely believe so, shall we also throw stones at people who plant two different crops in the same field or wear cloths made of two different kind of thread, burn to death women who have affairs with their in-laws, and be promitted to own slaves bought from neighboring countries?[/quote]

Of course not. Only 33 AD and up. I think that people's social lives, as long as it's not harming another being is their own buisness. But murder is different. It's the taking of an innocent life. Should we not make them suffer the consequences of their actions? Or do you propose total Anarchy?

LesJeuxSontFaits · #62 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan";p=&quot

Of course not. Only 33 AD and up. I think that people's social lives, as long as it's not harming another being is their own buisness. But murder is different. It's the taking of an innocent life. Should we not make them suffer the consequences of their actions? Or do you propose total Anarchy?

WHOAHOHO! Slow down a moment.

How did society without capital punishment (AKA 21st Century society :P) become Anarchy?
A life is a life Ivan, and killing is killing regardless of the circumstances. I've never said murder should go unpunished, but killing a murderer is still taking a life. We haven't even addressed yet, the fact that perhaps the man convicted was innocent. What then? If he's already dead, you've just killed an innocent man and there's nothing to do about it.

Ivan · #63 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 09:54 AM

Well if he really is innocent, he should get a better lawyer, or flee to France before his execution.

And yes, it is murder in itself. But I suppose you could let the victims family decide whether to hang them or let them rot in jail. There's also the cost of execution. Lethal injection is so expensive, it costs more to kill an inmate than to keep them in jail for life.

LesJeuxSontFaits · #64 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 10:01 AM

How does letting the victim's family decide change anything?

Ivan · #65 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesJeuxSontFaits";p=&quot

How does letting the victim's family decide change anything?

They might sympathize.

Sadistic-Savior · #66 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 10:51 AM

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The term `individual` obviously refers to the culprit.

In the context I used it, it does not.

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Otherwise the pursuit of the death penalty (or any other punishment) would be rather meaningless, wouldn`t it?

Only if we were not reasonably certain that the Culprit and the individual were the same person.

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What an archaic method of punishment the death penalty is. It's murder, really.

Not by definition:

Quote:

mur·der /ˈmɜrdər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[mur-der] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun

1. Law. the killing of another human being under conditions specifically covered in law. In the U.S., special statutory definitions include murder committed with malice aforethought, characterized by deliberation or premeditation or occurring during the commission of another serious crime, as robbery or arson (first-degree murder), and murder by intent but without deliberation or premeditation (second-degree murder).

2. Slang. something extremely difficult or perilous: That final exam was murder!

3. a group or flock of crows.

–verb (used with object)

4. Law. to kill by an act constituting murder.

5. to kill or slaughter inhumanly or barbarously.

6. to spoil or mar by bad performance, representation, pronunciation, etc.: The tenor murdered the aria.

–verb (used without object)
7. to commit murder.

—Idioms
8. get away with murder, Informal. to engage in a deplorable activity without incurring harm or punishment: The new baby-sitter lets the kids get away with murder.

9. murder will out, a secret will eventually be exposed.

10. yell or scream bloody murder, a. to scream loudly in pain, fear, etc.
b. to protest loudly and angrily: If I don't get a good raise I'm going to yell bloody murder.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/murder

Please note definition #1.

Quote:

I fail to comprehend how the fact that the victim may happen to be a murderer himself somehow justifies killing.

I've just explained two justifications to you:

1) If enforced consistently, it acts as a deterrant.

2) It reduces the chances of the individual committing another murder in the future to zero.

Quote:

A life is a life Ivan, and killing is killing regardless of the circumstances.

Not all killing is equal though. Do you really think that killing in self defense is morally the same as killing someone out of sadistic pleasure?

One is justified. The other is not. They are not morally equal. Murder ALWAYS involves killing but killing is not always murder. The two words dont mean the same thing.

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We haven't even addressed yet, the fact that perhaps the man convicted was innocent.

It is possible. The alternative is worse. We go to great lengths to verify guilt before executing someone. It is not something that is done casually.

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If he's already dead, you've just killed an innocent man and there's nothing to do about it.

What if you dont execute someone and he kills again? You cant bring that victim back either. That argument works both ways.

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How does letting the victim's family decide change anything?

Because it isnt up to them. They are not the only ones at risk. I dont really care whether or not they sympathize. They dont get to veto the law.

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There's also the cost of execution. Lethal injection is so expensive, it costs more to kill an inmate than to keep them in jail for life.

Cost is irrelevant. I am willing to accept the cost if it means removing a threat to society permanently.

How much is his next victim's life worth?

View Poll Results: Which of These Statements Describes Your Stance on the Death Penalty?
All felons should be executed.	3	11.54%
All murderers and sexual predators should be executed.	4	15.38%
All murderers should be executed.	2	7.69%
Murderers who feel no remorse should be executed- and swiftly.	3	11.54%
Murderers who feel no remorse should be executed- but with an extensive waiting period.	0	0%
Only mass murderers, such as serial killers and terrorists, should be executed.	0	0%
The death penalty is acceptable only in wartime emergencies; it should not be used in peacetime.	1	3.85%
The death penalty is never acceptable.	9	34.62%
None of the Above (Please Explain)	4	15.38%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll

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