blondton13: blog 
blondton13's blog
death penalty: where do you stand?
Published Jul 13, 2008Views: 208
I am just curious. I see many commenters here and there stating that people should be put to death. It seems the support comes from all walks of life, regardless of religious preference, politics or age. I would assume (and probably wrongly) that most Christians and so-called "liberals" (no offense intended) would be against the death penalty. So kindly indulge me and clarify your position.
What religious and political party do you affiliate yourself with and do you agree with the death penalty? Why or why not?
As for my personal stance...I am not religious and I guess you could consider me a "democrat", although I vote for candidates that maintain similiar beliefs on things I consider important to me, regardless of their party affiliation.
I for one am very much in favor of the death penalty, and feel that it is abused in that our courts deliver this as a sentence then never carry it out. This is one of the main reasons I feel that people say it is not a deterrent. Of course it isn't if it's just a couple of words on a court document and never carried out. I think the "deterrent" aspects of it would be much more effective if criminals knew it wasn't a joke. Regardless of that aspect, I feel strongly that people that exhibit certain psychological tendancies (repeat offenders, torture/sadistic, psychotic, pedophilic) should be exterminated as quickly as possible. I do recognize the argument that there is a racial element to guilty verdicts, but I feel that as forensic technology advances, an offender whose case has had adequate appeals should be slated for death as quickly as possible.
As for "cruel and unusual" punishment, this is also a valid argument. In my opinion (and it's just an opinion) I don't understand why we simply don't return to the guillotine. It is instantaneous-barring the arguments that a head "lives" for 20 seconds or so after decapitation. Compare this to our current usage of electrocution, the gas chamber and lethal injection. Although lethal injection seems the "easiest" for an offender if carried out properly. Though it would seem that even this is sometimes botched.
So, guillotine it is. Really. Immediate. No if, ands, or buts. No one has to be present, although I think this would assist the "deterrent" argument quite effectively.
China has the highest number of executions per year, with approximately 470 in 2007. We lag behind with 42 that same year.
What are we afraid of? If a serious offender warrents the death penalty, why do we not carrry it out? Why should we continue to pay for the food and board of the people that will spend the rest of their natural lives in prison (and statistically kill correctional officers and other prisoners during their stay)? The offender population will continue to grow, and people, we have to put them somewhere and pay for them.
Why? Why, why, why? It really does boggle my mind.
Filed under: Crime
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GOLO member since March 27, 2008
July 13, 2008 3:58 p.m.
GOLO member since March 31, 2008
July 13, 2008 4:00 p.m.
GOLO member since July 3, 2007
July 13, 2008 4:01 p.m.
GOLO member since March 31, 2008
July 13, 2008 4:03 p.m.
GOLO member since September 7, 2007
July 13, 2008 4:03 p.m.
GOLO member since January 30, 2008
July 13, 2008 4:08 p.m.
I have always thought that I believed in the death penalty but you never really know until you have the opportunity to serve on a capital crime jury.
That happened to me a few years back. Although the trial ended with a plea arrangement and the jury never had to make that decision, I came to know in the questioning during the juror selection process that if I truly believed that the individual accused had committed the crime that I would vote for death.
Until that instant in time I truly didn’t know whether I REALLY supported the death penalty or not.
It’s an interesting thing to learn about yourself ....
STS
GOLO member since June 7, 2008
July 13, 2008 4:10 p.m.
GOLO member since July 3, 2007
July 13, 2008 4:11 p.m.
that is an astute assessment. Though I have not have the opportunity to serve on a jury, I can imagine that would bring about an awareness that I have not yet experienced. I must go with my gut beliefs in that if an individual is guilty of mutiple muderers and/or sadistic behavior towards another human being (especially children) then there is no other logical alternative in my mind other than the death penalty.
GOLO member since August 23, 2007
July 13, 2008 4:15 p.m.
Taxpayer compensation for housing and feeding the condemned would be limited to the cost of one 9mm round.
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
July 13, 2008 4:17 p.m.
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