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by guizmo40 on August 17th, 2006

guizmo40

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Are you for or against the death penalty?

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  • by Gideon on October 18th, 2006

    Gideon

    Ever sat in an electric chair? I have. I had the strange opportunity while working on a video production a prison in Tennessee. I didn't get any feelings of for or against, really. What overwhelmed me was the thought that we can do better. As an intelligent, progressive society, putting people in chairs (or on gurneys) and killing them in what is clearly revenge and not punishment seems so far beneath what we're capable of. We all want people to pay for their crimes, but we don't run someone off the road after they nearly cause an accident; we don't trash someone's house after they commit burglary; we don't steal someone's money after they've defrauded us. Incarceration, more than anything else, is a means to make sure the criminal cannot commit the crimes. Incarcerations works for murderers, too, so long as they're let out.

    Add to that 50 years of extensive research which has never proven that the death penalty is in any way a deterrent, and it doesn't make much sense outside of revenge.

    Comments

    • I couldn't agree more.

      Anonymous

      by Anonymous on December 19th, 2006

    • I think you meant as long as they are not let out ... nice answer though!!

      cami1211

      by cami1211 on December 19th, 2006

    • I disagree..

      Castrate

      by Castrate on December 19th, 2006

    • My favorite answer on here. I could not agree any more than I do. If I could give more points I would.

      Littlemisswallflower

      by Littlemisswallflower on December 24th, 2006

    • Good answer Gideon.

      joro1968

      by joro1968 on March 18th, 2007

    • Maybe a good answer Gideon but tell it to the family of a five year old who has been killed by a peodophile and you will not get many votes in your favour. I very strongly disagree. Why should my and other families tax dollars go to keep these worthless creatures alive.

      Firebrand

      by Firebrand on June 8th, 2007

    • Firebrand, I get your point, truly. But I think a society should constantly struggle to be better than our basest feelings. I know that personally speaking, I wouldn't want my legacy or my loved one's legacy to be that of vengeance and violence. It adds nothing to the world. But we agree to disagree.

      Gideon

      by Gideon on June 12th, 2007

    • Gideon - while extensive studies may have indicated the death penalty does not deter crime, it certainly does cut down on the recidivism rate. And your argument that we don't run people off the road for causing an accident, or trash their house after a burglary, or steal their money after a fraud - you are simply comparing apples and potatos. These things you referenced are crimes against property, not against people. Property can be replaced - people cannot.

      Smart2 is back! Did you miss me?

      by Smart2 is back! Did you miss me? on July 3rd, 2007

    • Smart2, you're right. But we don't rape those who rape. We don't beat those who assault. We don't torture those who abuse. Those are crimes against people. Recidivism is kept in check by life sentences and contrary to popular myth, those who receive life without parol or 50 year sentences generally never get out of prison young enough (or at all) to murder again. There's no question that execution is more final. The question is whether it's the most enlightened choice.

      Gideon

      by Gideon on July 9th, 2007

    • both sides are missing the point here. WE may not do these things to criminals but we also dont lock up people when they steal from us...we have the government do it. when someone doesn't pay their mortgage, they lose their house. when someone abuses the right to have a gun, the government takes it from them. when someone is caught for DUI he loses his license. see? the issue is not what is done but who is doing it. the government has not only the right but I would say the responsibility to protect the innocent people of this country from those who would seek to do us harm and for a crime as serious as murder, the death penalty is the only true way to pay for it.

      ---

      by --- on October 4th, 2008

    • Amen, shadows - I couldn't agree more. The ultimate penalty for the ultimate crime.

      Smart2 is back! Did you miss me?

      by Smart2 is back! Did you miss me? on October 7th, 2008

    • I agree with shadow.

      Castrate

      by Castrate on October 7th, 2008

    • I find it funny how often liberals use the term progressive to mean "throwing away what is not broken for something untested"... hmm, I guess very much like apple fansboys.

      TAPriceCTR s son is wearing his COAT

      by TAPriceCTR s son is wearing his COAT on August 31st, 2011

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