death sentence?

[GOB1029]

i was just wondering what everyone thinks about the death sentence? should it be legal?

i think:
well, first, i am a christian, and yes, i do believe in God. and i think that humans should not kill other humans. even if the person killed someone. i think that what a person does on earth is between them and God, and they'll have to suffer the consequences of their actions. i think that by sentencing someone to death, we are assuming the role of God.

how about you?

[lover/young_peace]

The death sentance is giving the message, "if we have a justified reason... killing is okay". well... murderers think the same thing. many killers think they too have justified reasons. So if we make it clear there is NO excuse for killing... maybe we could avoid a little violence... not a lot, but a little is worth it. I jope I make sense there... anyway im against it.

[Andy73]

By killing a murderer you stoop to their level.

[BlackVelvet]

I think it's wrong! They killed but what if and you know it happens, someone innocent gets on death row? My opinions, "Two wrongs don't make a right" they needta think about this..

[Duncan]

There are really too many variables at play here. I think that a death sentence is appropriate in many instances. I believe that leaders who insite mayhem (Hitler, the former Ayotolah of Iran, Papa Duc of Haiti) should or should have paid for their behavior by having their lives taken.

I think it has to do with the magnitude of the crime. I get a little pissed off that cop killers are automatically considered for the death sentence. Some people tried offing presidents and are still alive. Go figure!

[Fractual_]

i dont think you should ever take another humans life.....no matter what they have done.

i think locking them up has a lot more pros than killing them

[beachbum7]

I hate the death penalty

[Sage-Phoenix]

The death penalty is the ultimate paradox. How can you condone murder by murdering?

So I don't agree with it.

TTFN

Sage

[maryfairy]

murder is murder. (i also wrote this in a government paper about veterans and what i thought of them... my govt. teacher is a veteran).

[tuesdayafternoon]

pure HYPOCRICY!!
God bless the USA, Please!!

[GOB1029]

I believe that leaders who insite mayhem (Hitler, the former Ayotolah of Iran, Papa Duc of Haiti) should or should have paid for their behavior by having their lives taken.
so, it's okay to kill someone if they've killed a certain amount of people? i think that yes, they should be locked up without parole or anything. however, they need to ask God for forgiveness, or they'll be in hell for eternity, and it might just be me, but that really doesnt appeal to me.

also, "Thou shalt not kill" is one of the ten commandments. and, that's pretty specific, DON'T KILL. it doesnt matter what the circumstances are, don't do it. what gives us the right to decide when someone's life will end. i mean, even if they did it, (little cliche) that still doesn't make it right! (and another, sorta) if you've got one murderer, and then you murder them, then you've just got two murderers. alas, such is the human mind.

[MichaelByrd1967]

The only justification of murder, is letting the killer rot in jail and see what'll screw him over in the

:mad:afterlife:mad:...

[user__friendly]

Punishing a murderer, by murdering him/her?

Hypocrisy.

[tom]

What for other crimes, such as for a child molester or serial rapist? I'm against the death penalty in other cases, but I'd be the first in line to flick the switch for these guys.

[AutumnAuburn]

I think some people are a waste of oxygen and they should be removed from the planet...

[Megara]

i'm all for reducing the number of people killed by the death penalty each year, but i dont think we should abolish it. People like OBL should be shot. Keeping them alive is too much of a risk and not worth it in the end. I must admit though, there are some crimes that leave me with no remorse when one of them dies...i.e. those guys who dragged the black man behind their truck for miles.

[seamonster66]

I am absolutely against it, I think it corrupts our country. I don't trust the criminal justice system enough to allow them to hand out the ultimate punishment, mistakes are made and they are irreversible, not to mention the racial bias inherant in the entire system.

The death penalty makes it seem like the US is made up of bloodthirsty savages.

Life in prison is probably worse for most people anyway.

[Megara]

.

Life in prison is probably worse for most people anyway.
then who is more inhumane? The judge who gives someone death or someone who gives life?

[seamonster66]

I have no problem with life sentencing, so obviously the judge who hands out the death sentence. A person in prison can be found innocent on appeal and released.

How would you like to be an executioner, talk about a job with bad karma!

[Megara]

well..thats why in some cases(i.e. firing squad) they use multiple people and only one really does it, but no one knows...i think they do that with lethal injection too.

I cant see any good that could come from keeping obl in jail...i think it would be safer for americans if he were dead

[seamonster66]

I have no idea who OBL is, so I have no clue what you are referring to.

OHHH, Osama Bin Laden, he should definitely be killed so we never learn all the secret knowledge he posesses. They should just kill terrorists on the spot to egg the other terrorists on, making a martyr of them. They don´t even need to prove them guilty!

Seriously though, i totally understand why people would want to execute him, and other violent offenders, I just think we should be above all of that and abstain, breaking the cycle of violence and the eye for an eye mentality.

[Megara]

i'll take that as sarcasm....but of course they should try them first. We are based on the rule of law after all.

[Acorn]

i agree with gob on this. but im not sure about people like osomma, hitler, sadam, people who toture and kill many people. im like 90% against it, but then theres that 10%.....

[PsyChOStaLk3r]

i thought we were talking about the death sentence, ITS SO WRONG!


ITS FUCKING MURDER!!

[A Clockwork Orange*]

When they give people a death sentence they are just contradicting themselves

[/|\]

the death penalty just isnt hip...

[Alexandria]

Not for the death penalty. No one has the right to kill another human being no matter what the circumstance. It sickens me.

[NightOwl1331]

I do not agree with the death penality. But from my own experiences I can see why some people do. Some people I know were involved in a murder trial and because I knew them well I was involved too as a character witness. One of them was a close friend and the others were not. And I didn't have the nicest things to say about the two that were not my friends. One in particular I knew to be a violent person and I said so. And there were others in the same situation as me...saying things about him that would piss him off. So, during the trial I started feeling scared because I did know that he's dangerous and I'd pissed him off. And the jail he was in intercepted some threatening letters he was trying to send to me. So, I was very worried that he'd get out and come looking for me and the other people involved. As it turned out he was found guilty and he got the death penalty. And though I do not agree with it in general, in this case I cannot help but feel relief that he cannot hurt me or anyone else ever again. So, to me it is a difficult thing...I don't think we should have the death penality, but when things hit close to home like that then its a different story.

[GOB1029]

again, my views are highly influence seeing as how i know that Jesus exists, but, like... somebody said that they felt relieved after someone they said bad things about in court received the death penalty. but, to me, yah, i don't want to die, but i'm not afraid of death, because i know i'm good with God and Jesus, and i know that heaven is a heck of a lot better than earth, so basically, getting killed would sort of speed up the process, but i still wanna live so i can go to other countries and help them see what they could be (i.e. china) and try to change lives, influence people to see that they shouldn't follow orders their whole life, that they have their own minds. whoah... sorry about getting off subject. anyways, i think the death sentence is wrong, but i heard someone say something about a person probably liking the death sentence better than life in prison anyways. another thought i had while in french class (we were discussing this once) i think the person should have a choice. if they want to be killed, they should be allowed to say so, and that action carried out, but i do not believe that it should be forced upon someone without their consent. make any sense?:confused:

[lover/young_peace]

yeah i like the choice idea better than forced.... aint that suicide though??

[lunar forest]

Yeah, I think that if they gave a choice they would have to change the assisted suicide laws, which they're not going to do.....


I think killing is wrong, I just don't see how anyone can justify taking someone's life. I mean, what gives us the right to decide that?

[lover/young_peace]

****said at the risk of looking like a dumbass, (oh wait... to late :D )******

whats up with assissted suicide laws? like, can you explain taht some?

i mean assissted suicide, like if i wanted you to shoot me i begged of you to do it, and you did, could you still be put in jail for murder?

sorry im so ignorant on this stuff. its my opionion that the law should be simplifyed so everyone could understand it well.... but then a lot of lawyers would no longer have jobs......

[metro]

Well, my opinion will be unpopular here, but I am for the death penalty. I understand that it needs adjusting so it will not be racist and reduce the chance of killing an innocent person, BUT, with DNA testing and such, there are a lot of cases that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The earth is way overpopulated now, I think we can get rid of people who murder. I don't believe in God, so I don't believe "justice" will be served in the "afterlife" as some of you guys do. Murders, child molesters, etc. make me sick, get rid of them.

[beachbum7]

Metro, you mention that the earth is overpopulated, and such and such. As much as we know there are despicable people on the people, the death penalty is not a good way of removing them. There are people plenty are despicable people who aren't murderers, rapists, so should we used the death penalty on them?

Is the world a better place with the death penalty?

[metro]

Metro, you mention that the earth is overpopulated, and such and such. As much as we know there are despicable people on the people, the death penalty is not a good way of removing them. There are people plenty are despicable people who aren't murderers, rapists, so should we used the death penalty on them?

Is the world a better place with the death penalty?
I believe there are other instances where the death penalty could be used. Say someone killed the last individual animal of an endangered species, I think they deserve death. They ended an entire species.

I'm not talking about someone who killed a person in self defense or accidently either, just cold-blooded murderers.

What is despicable about these other people you mention? Can you give examples?

[Teeka]

When I was young I did not believe in the death sentence. But as I got older I have become accepting of it. People who take a life on purpose she lose their lifes too. Why should we as citizens pay their room and board for the rest of their lifes? They don't work. What after their is no death penelity. They get life and a free ride on us I don't want to pay for anything but their injection. I know this sounds hard, we all have the right of having our own thoughts.

[beachbum7]

Metro, some of the despicable people I think are the governments who have enslaved and opressed people (like South Africa's). And those who destroy the earth for their material gain.

Teeka, did I ever say you didn't have the right to your own thought?

Actually, trials with the possibilty of capital punishment are much more expensive than those without. Life in prison is a bigger punishment than lethal injection because the prisoner will have to live with guilt, and there prisons in this world where life is no picnic. And the death penalty has never been a deterrent to crime.

[moon_flower]

It's counterproductive. Killing to end killing?

[Alexandria]

When I was young I did not believe in the death sentence. But as I got older I have become accepting of it. People who take a life on purpose she lose their lifes too. Why should we as citizens pay their room and board for the rest of their lifes? They don't work. What after their is no death penelity. They get life and a free ride on us I don't want to pay for anything but their injection. I know this sounds hard, we all have the right of having our own thoughts.
mmmm....I wouldnt say jail is a "free ride". I have a friend who was in a minimal security prison and that was bad enough let alone a maximum security one where the murderers would be going. It is hell. But it is no more our right as a state or as a people to kill a person just as it was never their right to kill in the first place. It is just inhumane to kill for any reason. It is sort of (but not exactly) like a mother who yells at her son to stop beating up on the youngest child. And when he does then she punishes him by beating up on him. It is just the most blatent contradiction ever! But then again.....America is a country that thrives on contradiction....so why would the death penalty be any different? *rolls eyes*

[metro]

[QUOTE=beachbum7]Metro, some of the despicable people I think are the governments who have enslaved and opressed people (like South Africa's). And those who destroy the earth for their material gain.
OK, well no I don't think they should get the death penalty unless they've killed someone. If a child molester was killed in prison or something, I wouldn't be too upset though...I'm a bit of a misanthrope as it is.

Teeka, did I ever say you didn't have the right to your own thought?

Actually, trials with the possibilty of capital punishment are much more expensive than those without.
That is something that should be changed too.
Life in prison is a bigger punishment than lethal injection because the prisoner will have to live with guilt, and there prisons in this world where life is no picnic.
This has always baffled me, when people say that life in prison is worse than death. First of all, I don't agree, just about any life is better than none, it's not like they get tortured. Secondly, I doubt too many of them feel guilt, if they felt normal emotions then they wouldn't be murderers. Thirdly, if it is worse then why do you advocate it if you don't want to be cruel?

And the death penalty has never been a deterrent to crime.
There is really no way to prove this.
[QUOTE]

and moon_flower, I don't think it's counterproductive if you kill a mass murderer, then you prevent future killings by that person. Also, who knows how many murderers are prevented from killing. How likely is it that someone will say "hey, I was going to kill someone, but I don't want the punishment, so I didn't" Of course no one will admit these thoughts. I've seen bumperstickers that said "The only reason some people are alive is because murder is illegal". A joke of course, but probably not far from truth.

[Alexandria]

[QUOTE=beachbum7]
This has always baffled me, when people say that life in prison is worse than death. First of all, I don't agree, just about any life is better than none, it's not like they get tortured. Secondly, I doubt too many of them feel guilt, if they felt normal emotions then they wouldn't be murderers. Thirdly, if it is worse then why do you advocate it if you don't want to be cruel?

and moon_flower, I don't think it's counterproductive if you kill a mass murderer, then you prevent future killings by that person. Also, who knows how many murderers are prevented from killing. How likely is it that someone will say "hey, I was going to kill someone, but I don't want the punishment, so I didn't" Of course no one will admit these thoughts. I've seen bumperstickers that said "The only reason some people are alive is because murder is illegal". A joke of course, but probably not far from truth.
Well, mabye life in prison is not WORSE than death, because what could be worse than death? Nothing. (although some actually prefer it as opposed to life in prison)Killing someone is the WORST thing you could think of to do to them. Point being...we should not be out to give them the worse punishmnet possisble....like "what is it that would make them feel the most pain to suffer for their actions? I know....kill them!" No, that way of thinking is childish ( i am not calling you childish). Prison may not be torture in a sense that we are purposely trying to inflict pain on someone. But it is torture in a sense that the enviorment is hell to live in. The main point of prison besides punishment is that this is a place where people go who are not able to be in society without being a possible danger. So these people who murder...who do things SO horrible that the state goes to kill them....should really just have to spend their whole life in jail. That way there will be no more harm from them in society. Killing does not have to be the answcer. Killing is wrong....under any circumstance. Think about it. And that isnt even counting the people who are wrongly convicted....many have had their sentences overturned while either on death row or in jail with a life term. Imagine if more had had that oppurtunity, I mean, what, with dna testing being relatively new.....it couldve been so many more.

[metro]

I appreciate your perspective, and thanks for clarifying, so many people imply that prison is worse than death.
I don't feel super strongly about the death penalty. Another thing though, prisoners can escape...that's a risk to consider.
You say killing is wrong under any circumstance, do you really mean that? I hate to come up w/tons of senarios, but if your life is endangered or someone else's, or how about assisted suicide?
I know an eye for an eye is simple and seems barbaric, but I just think it's fair. Of course I mean when applied justly. I know there are flaws, but if those could be worked out, then I support it. I've wrestled w/these thoughts much in my own head, but I always end up supporting capital punishment.

[Alexandria]

I appreciate your perspective, and thanks for clarifying, so many people imply that prison is worse than death.
I don't feel super strongly about the death penalty. Another thing though, prisoners can escape...that's a risk to consider.
You say killing is wrong under any circumstance, do you really mean that? I hate to come up w/tons of senarios, but if your life is endangered or someone else's, or how about assisted suicide?
I know an eye for an eye is simple and seems barbaric, but I just think it's fair. Of course I mean when applied justly. I know there are flaws, but if those could be worked out, then I support it. I've wrestled w/these thoughts much in my own head, but I always end up supporting capital punishment.
Yes, I believe that killing is wrong no matter what. Even if it became a personal issue to me like if a family member was murdered. I would WANT to kill the murderer guy myself actually and yeah, I would want him dead. But that would be out of anger and emotion and that doesnt make it okay. Knowing though, that he would be spending his whole life in jail, never to be able to do it again, and would have to live the rest of his days out in a stinky hell hole where the guys arent very friendly (or too friendly;)), that would be the right thing. He is punished, he is put away, and I do not feel as if I had done to him and his family the same horrible thing he did to me. I have risen above it and there is something to be said for that. That is just my feeling on that. The chance that he might escape would be minimal and not enough to steer me away from my conviction. As far as assisted suicide....I am not against that. If someone wants to take their life....who am I to argue? It is not my life....they can do what they please.However, I dont feel that the state should be responsible for that. If a prisoner want to take death over life in prison they should seek a doctor and be assisted in that manner. But since assisted suicde in this country is outlawed....that presents a problem. But I think that law is bullshit to begin with as are many stupid goverment enforced laws. And as far as the flaws in the system being worked out, it is a nice thought, but I dont think there will never be a time when flaws are not prevelant. So, with that said.....I just think everyone should be considered because if it was me in that courthouse being wrongly convicted....I would stand a better chance with life in prision then the death penalty, ya know? GEEZ! I have really rambled. Ok, I will shut up now. :)

[lover/young_peace]

please dont shut up. you guys are having a good, civil disscussion. im enjoying it very much. its like cnn without the assholes.....;)

[metro]

OK, I just watched the movie Monster and I'm not sure how I feel about capital punishment now...has anyone else seen this movie? It's based on a true story, I don't think she should have been executed. However, someone like Jeffrey Dahmer or a child molester that kills his victims, they should be executed imo. Is it wrong for me to have exceptions? ahhhh, I'm confusedhttp://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif.

[maryjaneguitargurl]

I dont agree with death penalty.. Its the same thing as the guy or gurl getting fried shit...murder is murder and ERRRrrr srry haa

peace
chickens

[GOB1029]

as many of you have said, assisted suicide is illegal in the u.s., so it wouldnt work. well, murder is illegal in the u.s., but the gov. does it all the time. the death penalty is wrong and barbaric. however, as my father has said, "the root of all our problems is sin" and that is very true. if people did not want for themselves, we wouldnt have problems. the only reason the death penalty exists is so the people that knew the victim can obtain some satisfaction by seeing their friend's murderer murdered. sort of like the phrase, "have a taste of your own medicine". alas, humanity is such, and will most likely remain the same.

[Trixie]

the topic is somewhat hard to form an opinion on, considering all the variables, it is purely circumstantial. for example, hitler, he killed thousands of innocent people, genocide, war crimes etc..i'm sure a lot of people would give the thumbs up to put him to death (if he was alive at the present time, hypothetically speaking). some would say give him life in prison, no parole, let him live out the last of his days with the guilt..., although, IMO, someone such as himself wouldnt possess much guilt, considering the things he has done. even in a maximum security prison there are still luxuries, (ie. television, books, access to education and money, telephone etc..) although there are the very negative points of prison..i'm sure everyone has an idea...
there is also the fact to consider, about those innocent people (charged with crimes they have never commited) who have been put to death, via the electric chair, lethal injection.., dying in their innocence, what a terrible thing. (talk about bad karma)
also, there is the retribution factor, that 'closure' , for the people involved, wanting justice..(ie. families or friends of a victim)...which i'm sure helps to ease a lot of people's pain.
i am so torn on this issue, considering the cirumstances. i believe it is immoral to kill someone, although with the choices that some people make they are kind of asking for the bitter end. as far as the whole 'choice' option goes, i dont think serial killers and rapists should have that luxury of choosing their own punishment, for the people who want to die, and cant live with the overwhelming guilt of their actions, they should be forced to live with it in prison until the end of his/her days. as far as some heartless people go, sometimes taking their lives serves as not only a tragic lesson for them, but for society as well. if fear could stop crime (but that's the beginning of a whole new discussion)...
i also just recently watched the movie monster, and you can somewhat see the psychology behind what she had done...i think perhaps if we kept criminals alive and learned more about them and their actions, we could save a lot of lives, as well as maybe helping some very disturbed people. (but then again prisons are over populated,and that would cost money)...i feel some kind of twisted sympathy for wournos,...quite a tragic end. i think with the right attitude and a deeper look into people we could avoid the death penalty completely. of course killing someone for killing is immoral and unjust. but people should know their consequences , before they commit the action. do u think there is still sparks of hope in even the lowest most evil criminals?...i suppose it all depends on the person and how deeply one looks into their past and their minds, their reasons, their nature, their environment, etc...and how badly they feel, if at all. locking a criminal away, i believe is good for now, but i think there needs to be better more efficent rehabilitation programs, psychiatric programs, more punishment than a slap on the wrist...

[Kitaro]

Never!
So many hate... the outlwas are people as well. They also have a family. Everybody comits mistakes. Even if he did on purpose, even if he does not understand why is it wrong, we should never kill him. He will, someday, understand why was that wrong. Even a serial killer may have the opportunity to, at 99, say: «jesus, what the fuck have I done in the past!»

Why revenge? Will you gain anything with that? Will it bring your family, friends, people you know, back? No... it will only cause hate and pain.

We gotta learn how to live with everybody, find our own happiess. believe me, killing won't give you a thing, unless you're a nazi. Even if you are, I won't hate you. One of my best friends is a nazi. It's sad but true...

[Republican]

I think the death sentence is sometimes the onlything we can do to someone to make them pay.. by killing them we give them to God to be sentenced..

Often the deathpenilty is tooo much but sometimes its justified..

[Kitaro]

I'm sorry, don't want to be offensive, but what if I don't believe your God is going to judge a person that I also respect? And pay what? Why that revenge?
I'm sorry, I just think that's a bit unhuman, but it's ok, we all have our opinion. :)

[neoteny]

When I was young I did not believe in the death sentence. But as I got older I have become accepting of it. People who take a life on purpose she lose their lifes too. Why should we as citizens pay their room and board for the rest of their lifes? They don't work. What after their is no death penelity. They get life and a free ride on us I don't want to pay for anything but their injection. I know this sounds hard, we all have the right of having our own thoughts.
With all of the appeals and everything totalled, it costs much more to execute someone than to put them in prison for life. I am against the death penalty. I believe prison is a much better option. However, I also have major issues with the prison system in the United States. It definitely needs a great deal of reform.

[spacecadet]

I don't know about the death penalty. What if someones running around a festival killing people and he gets round to someone and is just about to kill them when the almost victim kills him? What do you say? "Aw you shouldn't have done that we could have changed him?" The almost victim is still alive but the madman is killed and probably many people are still alive because of it. In the end it's kill or be killed and I think that is the basis of the death penalty. Do you let people run around killing people indefinately just because? Who would you rather have dead, one killer or many innocent, peaceful victims?

[neoteny]

I don't know about the death penalty. What if someones running around a festival killing people and he gets round to someone and is just about to kill them when the almost victim kills him? What do you say? "Aw you shouldn't have done that we could have changed him?" The almost victim is still alive but the madman is killed and probably many people are still alive because of it. In the end it's kill or be killed and I think that is the basis of the death penalty. Do you let people run around killing people indefinately just because? Who would you rather have dead, one killer or many innocent, peaceful victims?

Obviously I want to save as many lives as possible. However, we do have jails for a reason (even if that reason has been distorted by our government).

[lunar forest]

Hmmm, I don't know about claiming that the death sentence is self defence! i mean, killing in self defence is something completely different. The death sentence is cold, calculated killing.

[Real American]

I support the death penalty. You might believe this to be some hipocracy because I am a Christain. However, my views and beliefs come from The Bible and from hours and praying. True, Moses was given the 10 commandments and one of those was "Thou shalt not kill". However, just shortly after, he smashed those commandments, and then led the people around for 40 years in the poorest hardest conditions possable. Many people died because of this.

In The Bible we are commanded to follow the laws of the land. We are commanded to respect our government and their rules. The executioner is protected in The Bible. As he is just doing his job given to him by the government.

Yes it is sad if an innocent person dies. The fact that we are human and make mistakes makes this inevitable

As far as life in prison vs death, well, I have opinions on this as well. Of course life in prison wont be the greatest. You will have to deal with the truely evil men/women in there. Do something wrong and you may be killed and several oher examples. Then again, you are alive and not dead. Your meals will come to you daily, guaranteed. You have the ability of working out, watching tv and visitors(depending on your crime of course).

My ending point is this. I support the death penalty. In fact, do it in public on a tree. That's right, hang them.

[lunar forest]

In The Bible we are commanded to follow the laws of the land. We are commanded to respect our government and their rules. LOL! I was raised christian, and still believe many things that jesus taught. I know there are many christians on these boards, so don't give me that!!! I honestly don't wantto highjack this thread, but I just have one thing to say about this. Many of the things that Jesus did opposed his gorvernment.

Do you really believe that your god wants you to blindly follow your government simply because they say so?

[lover/young_peace]

I don't believe in the Bible... so that doen't apply to me, really. Separation of Church and State.

Really, people have the right to belive whatever religoin they chose, it can be very benificial... but the governmnet must have nothing to do with any religion or else it ends up favoring one and eliminates a person's freedom of religion.

Ok, I'm hoping that came out correctly... really religions can be good and bad it's different for every individual, but the government should have nothing to do with religion. It's hard to seperate often, but we have to do our best to ensure the separation between Church and State is absoulute.

~~rock on.

[Real American]

Umm folks, this thread is about the death sentence and if we support it or not and why. I posted my reasons for supporting it. This tread is not about seperation from state and church. Lunar forest, if you would like to argue with me on my beliefs, start a thread about it.

[lover/young_peace]

sorry I didn't mean to get off-topic. If it interferes with someone's religion, or goes along with a person's religion is fine, but you can't use that reason, say, in Congress, or if we to....

wait , you know what, you're right. we're not changing the governmnet here, we're just talking. The government doen't give a damn about this discussion, it's just about you're personal reasons and opionions. Okay, I stand coected. Bring in religion if it floats your boat.

Sorry... nevermind.
~~peace.~~

[grendel 44]

I used to be soooo against the death penalty, I still do not like it and do not think we or our government have the right to take a life. However, as I have gotten older and the actual DEATH part of it is usually more humane now, I think there are cases where it is appropriate. Pol Pot killed more people in Cambodia than Hitler, however,he was placed under house arrest and died in his own home of natural causes. HE should have been executed I think.

RA: Here we go again, I agree with you but "taking em out and haning em" is a bit barbaric to me.

[Philly_Hippie17]

who isnt against it, i wish the goverment who find better ways to spend money then waste it on another man/women life:(

[Real American]

Executions used to be public to be used as an example. I think it worked. I think the reason they stoped being public is because the way things had changed. There was no more "buying the rope" when it became "flipping the switch". It may seem barbaric, but hanging is actualy quicker than lethal injection or the electric chair, and in my opinion a lot better than say the gas chamber.

[Republican]

With all of the appeals and everything totalled, it costs much more to execute someone than to put them in prison for life. I am against the death penalty. I believe prison is a much better option. However, I also have major issues with the prison system in the United States. It definitely needs a great deal of reform.yea one thing we need to do is make inmates raping eachother not the thing that makes people want to not go to jail... the but rape is rediculas.... and I doubt it costs more to give 'em the death penalty than life in prison where did u hear that? I seriously doubt that.. and if so we should just start shooting people screw being humane... we need to save money.. (lol im kidding.. kinda... I just intend to not go to prison...)

I'm sorry, don't want to be offensive, but what if I don't believe your God is going to judge a person that I also respect? And pay what? Why that revenge?
I'm sorry, I just think that's a bit unhuman, but it's ok, we all have our opinion. http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gifand about letting god judge them when u say "My god" you one dont understand that almost all religions have the same god... (Allah.. God... what ever u wanna call Him...) and almost all religions have a missiah(sp?) or are wainting for one... well i see this... Im a Christian.. I just belive it hapend that way.. all religions are just diffrent versions of the truth... IMHO... and Im shure im right.. but u can belive what u want... I just think all that is important is that u have a religion u should choose.... we are given the fredom of religion not the fredom of religion... I dont care if ur one of those people who says that science solves it all but what made science... what started the "Big bang" and why does it matter that evolution proves we all evolved from a common ancestor.. whos to say God didn't start it off? some people are too narow minded.. Its not my god it is GOD... he belongs to us all and what ever we belive dosn't mean shit.. if no religion is atleast based in fact.. If we have no maker.. and were alone than why is it worth living? thats all I want to know... Im no religion nut.. i only go to curch on easter and christmass.... im a CEO(easter and christmas only..)... all I'm saying is life serves no purpose if were alone.. thats too depressing..

but thanks fr respecting my opinion I respect yours.. this is america and thats the great thing... we have the right to think what we want! dont u love it lol..

[Philly_Hippie17]

God Forgives Man............

But Man cant forgive Man :p


Everybody believes in the Same God, they just have diffrent opions( sp) on Faith,

God judges everybody as the Same, We are all his Children, So my throught is what gives man (Human ) to judge another Man if he could live or die , what gives him the right just because he works in the court system, Its all b.s


Say if a man kils another man, why kill him, he is gonna have to suffer the rest of his life on his conscience( sp) my spelling sucks, Its gonna Eat at him till the day he dies, LET GOD JUDGE , not human man

[Real American]

God judges everybody as the Same, We are all his Children, So my throught is what gives man (Human ) to judge another Man if he could live or die , what gives him the right just because he works in the court system, Its all b.s So what gives us the right to put someone in jail? If you are going to question why they have a right to execute someone, you need also ask why they are allowed to jail someone. I have your answer, because it is the law. Without law we would have chaos. If all you ever do is tell a child no, the child will learn that the worse that will happen to him/her is they will be told no. The execution is a form of punishment. More extreme yes than say a spanking, however, it is still a punishment.

[HippyLex]

In September I had a friend who was stabbed and beaten to death by a man who had served 20 years in jail for raping a 10 yr old boy :(...I don't always agree with death sentence.. but somehow this sicko got let out of jail?? That is messed up to me, and I am furious about it. The priest who was giving this sick man therapy said he was okay to be let out, and the priest had been having sexual relations with the murderer. I really do believe that this system needs to be fixed. My feelings on the death pen. are on the fence, esp. if the person was innocent the whole time. Such a tough topic, but I am interested in what others have said so far! * peace and love! *

[Real American]

Off topic here...HippyLex, one word...Beautiful.

[neoteny]

and I doubt it costs more to give 'em the death penalty than life in prison where did u hear that?
I don't have the source off the top of my head, but I can find it for you if you'd like. The reason it is so expensive is generally due to the appeals process which all of the cases must go through.

[Republican]

I don't have the source off the top of my head, but I can find it for you if you'd like. The reason it is so expensive is generally due to the appeals process which all of the cases must go through.
It actualy wouldn't suprise me.. I doubt it but yet agen It wouldn't suprise me.. lol
srry for asking fort source im just too used to doing it in Model UN and debate lol :p ..
the way I see it no one likes the death penalty but sometimes they kinda diserve it... true i feal bad because it makes me think about how i vallue life.. and it seems kinda like abortion.. no one is 100% right all the time.. im pro-life.. but sumtimes it may be neccisary to abort... It sounds terrible but is sometimes true... Its the same w/ the death penalty.. noone is correct 100% of the time..

[neoteny]

It actualy wouldn't suprise me.. I doubt it but yet agen It wouldn't suprise me.. lol
srry for asking fort source im just too used to doing it in Model UN and debate lol :p ..
the way I see it no one likes the death penalty but sometimes they kinda diserve it... true i feal bad because it makes me think about how i vallue life.. and it seems kinda like abortion.. no one is 100% right all the time.. im pro-life.. but sumtimes it may be neccisary to abort... It sounds terrible but is sometimes true... Its the same w/ the death penalty.. noone is correct 100% of the time..
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?did=108&scid=7
That website has some information. Just so it can be noted, I realize that specific site does seem to be against capital punishment. However, I would imagine that the same information could be found on sites neutral to the issue as well (those are not as easy to come by, however). I figure if you care enough then you can dig around for the statistics.
I guess I just view things differently than you do. I do not think it is anyone's place to determine whether or not another person deserves to die.

[Republican]

Like I said i dont think capitol punishment is always a good idea.. just sometimes what should be done..

[cerridwen]

I don't believe in it... I'd like to think that we can heal people through a prison system to get them back into functioning society. We just have to fix the prison system to improve its psychological treatment of inmates.

[BlackGuardXIII]

I don't believe in it... I'd like to think that we can heal people through a prison system to get them back into functioning society. We just have to fix the prison system to improve its psychological treatment of inmates.
I agree that is the ultimate goal. Though by improve the psychological treatment, it really means start some, since rehabilitation is virtually a non issue from what I have learned. The prison is there to keep them away from us as long as possible, and as punishment.
I am all for capital punishment, under certain conditions. Only for repeat convictions of first degree murder, which would certainly make innocent executions very rare. And that it be carried out humanely, and expeditiously, with a maximum time period from conviction to death of maybe a year? No more for sure....I was going to say a month.

But, preferably, I would like to see your suggestion implemented, and someday see prisons gone altogether.

[Nathan11]

God bless the USA, Please!!
So, uh, God Bless America, but fuck everyone else?
No thanks.

[BlackGuardXIII]

Originally Posted by tuesdayafternoon
God bless the USA, Please!!
So, uh, God Bless America, but fuck everyone else?
No thanks.
God, just do whatever the hell you want, k?
I can just imagine how tired of whiney snivellers you must be.
Please do this, please do that, I'd have gone bonkers eons ago.
Thy will be done.
Thank you.
Amen.

that is my prayer....

[Nathan11]

Not sure I understand what you're saying.
I'd rather we all say "God Bless This World" than God Bless Amerika.
That phrase makes me sick.

[spooner]

i'm kinda of the belief that the prison system should be for rehabilitation and not punishment. that kind of makes the death penalty a little bit useless.

[purplesage]

In my country capital punishment is illegal so that's where I'm coming from on this issue. I think capital punishment is wrong.

[peaceful chaos]

i strongly disagree with the death sentence for a few reasons one reason is that no one has the right to take another persons life because any one person is as entitled to live life as the next and the other reason is because the governments involved in the death sentences seem to look past the fact that they have killed numerous innocent people in there wars against other countrys and settlements

[Col]

difficult one.
As said, death penalty is a contradiction.
We wouldn't sentance a rapist to rape? !!

It is wrong. Death penalty for political leaders because they have been behind the force that caused so many deaths? Bush & Blair have been behind the force that has been sweeping iraq with death recently, they are the biggest killers around at the mo. Death penalty for OBL? Depends on whether or not you believe the fantasy about this make believe organisation "al-quada". Very little evidence to suggest that it does exist even. No, I don't trust politicians enough to make judgements on death penalty for other leaders.

The USA is pretty backward in its law concerning the death penalty. They still kill minors and mentally ill folk? Pretty primitive in this modern world.

Assisted suicide? different subject....
If my mum/dad was suffering so much that they craved an end to it I would offer help. Not to, to prolong their suffering would be born of a selfish desire not to deal with the bereavement. And my actions would be born of love. So to punish me for it would surely be wrong? this is a different matter altogether.....

But, despite my liberal views, did you remember hearing of that peadophile murderer in Belguim recently? (a year ago or so). He tortured his victims - one was locked in his cellar when he got a prison sentance for another peadophile related crime, he served 3 months by which time of course she had died. Others buried alive after sexula ordeals.
When I heard of this I shocked myself by immediately thinking that the guy should be killed, and quickly - not after some lengthy legal battle. Just get rid of him. please!
Understandable reaction I am sure, but it still shocks me that I haven't changed my view on it. My concience doesn't know what to do with that thought!

So, as I said initially, a difficult one this!

[Megara]

difficult one.
As said, death penalty is a contradiction.
We wouldn't sentance a rapist to rape? !!

It is wrong. Death penalty for political leaders because they have been behind the force that caused so many deaths? Bush & Blair have been behind the force that has been sweeping iraq with death recently, they are the biggest killers around at the mo. Death penalty for OBL? Depends on whether or not you believe the fantasy about this make believe organisation "al-quada". Very little evidence to suggest that it does exist even. No, I don't trust politicians enough to make judgements on death penalty for other leaders.

The USA is pretty backward in its law concerning the death penalty. They still kill minors and mentally ill folk? Pretty primitive in this modern world.

Assisted suicide? different subject....
If my mum/dad was suffering so much that they craved an end to it I would offer help. Not to, to prolong their suffering would be born of a selfish desire not to deal with the bereavement. And my actions would be born of love. So to punish me for it would surely be wrong? this is a different matter altogether.....

But, despite my liberal views, did you remember hearing of that peadophile murderer in Belguim recently? (a year ago or so). He tortured his victims - one was locked in his cellar when he got a prison sentance for another peadophile related crime, he served 3 months by which time of course she had died. Others buried alive after sexula ordeals.
When I heard of this I shocked myself by immediately thinking that the guy should be killed, and quickly - not after some lengthy legal battle. Just get rid of him. please!
Understandable reaction I am sure, but it still shocks me that I haven't changed my view on it. My concience doesn't know what to do with that thought!

So, as I said initially, a difficult one this!we do not kill minors or mentally ill folk. We do kill those who were convicted of crimes when they were 16/17

[Kashmir]

the death penalty is wrong, its playing god. its basically murder. i mean i can see peoples reasons for being for it but my opinion is that two wrongs dont make a right.....

[blindhobosam]

if you kill someone for killing someone then surely you're just as bad as them, meaning you should be killed. this could continues for ages until everyone was dead.

so i reckon the death penalty is stupid

[jailmate]

Common stupidity:

1. you tink you think

2. U beleive U are not a killer

3. Dharma controllz your actionz

[Col]

we do not kill minors or mentally ill folk. We do kill those who were convicted of crimes when they were 16/17
have you had a drastic law change recently?
Because last time I looked there were fairly recent cases in some states of minors and mentally ill folk executed.
Maybe I'm out of date on this area of US law though???

[Peace-Phoenix]

In a modern free world, states should protect their citizens, not murder them. The death penalty is morally bankrupt and should be opposed wherever it is found in the world....

[TheMadcapSyd]

I fully support it, also, someone else said before "we wouldnt sentence a rapist to be raped would we? well trust me, if I was a judge, and I actually had the power, I'd make it to the scumbag had to be raped once for every rape he did before he went to prison.

[Peace-Phoenix]

I fully support it, also, someone else said before "we wouldnt sentence a rapist to be raped would we? well trust me, if I was a judge, and I actually had the power, I'd make it to the scumbag had to be raped once for every rape he did before he went to prison.
Good thing you're not in power then....

[TheMadcapSyd]

Good thing you're not in power then....
Yea I get that alot from people.

[spooner]

meh if i was sentenced to life in prison without parole i'd rather just end it

i don't know how many of you have spent any time in prison - even just a couple of hours or a night in the drunk tank - but its the worst feeling in the world and i couldn't do it. in fact i have a huge respect for prisoners ability to deal with that.

[Nathan11]

But you see spooner, just with your response, that shows that jail is a worse situation than death. ;)
Which is what I rather for people who break the law (not anything like smoking pot or stealing gum, that's stupid shit).

[-peaceman69-]

[QUOTE=Duncan]There are really too many variables at play here. I think that a death sentence is appropriate in many instances. I believe that leaders who insite mayhem (Hitler, the former Ayotolah of Iran, Papa Duc of Haiti) should or should have paid for their behavior by having their lives taken.

Abbie Hoffman was charged with inciting mayhem; should he have been killed right then and there? In fact YOU could be charged with inciting mayhem for speaking freely on the Internet!

I don’t think the job of deciding whether someone lives or dies should really be up to people at all.

I am completely against the death penalty for the most minute and the most horrible “crimes” because people are fallible.


Killing is anyone is wrong!

[Nathan11]

You know, you speak very well for a 13 year old.
You seem very knowledgable as well.
Peace, on you, my brother.

[Maes]

"Die bastard!"

this is a good death sentence.

[Elle]

I dont believe in the death penalty, period. Not for anything or any reason.

[OctoberMoon]

I dont believe in the death sentence. You cannot right a wrong with another wrong. Besides...there have been people falsely convicted of crimes. If they are innocent but get executed...then that just sucks.

[Chris L]

Generally, I do not beleive in the death sentence. Killing is killing, and, no matter what it is not right. However, I do have some exceptions. For instance, if we somehow broke away into an independent, new nation, there would be people from other governments, and from the old one, trying to get in and trying to divide the people, and basically, make the nation fall. My first solution would be to export them, but, they could just come back in or somebody else can. So, do yuo just shoot him and make an example of him? Not sure. For instance, i would commit treason against my governent the first chance i get, and i wouldnt want to be killed for it. I see it as this: If somebody tried to change my way of life, and change somehting i worked extremely hard to do, i wouldn't be happy. But so wouldn't the current Amerikan government? I can't decide, killing is so awful, yet, if somebody was doing something that would make life for a huge number of people awful, I think they should be killed before they do anything. But if somebody was trying to change soemthign for the good, they shouldn't be killed.

So, execute anyone working for Mossad, the CIA, any one in the Isreali government, and certain people in the Amerikan governmtn. But don't execute somebody simply fro killing somebody else. Only execute those who made life awful for thousands...i.e. George Bush, some agents of Mossad, some agents of the CIA, and some pther people, but dont execute OBL, because, in all truthfulness, he didn't set up 9/11, or anything for that matter.

[TheMadcapSyd]

So it's all right to kill certain people, but the people you side with shouldnt be killed? and right, so Osama shouldn't be killed, right he diddn't have anything to do with the attacks on 9/11, or in Aden, or the bombing of the embasies.

[Chris L]

Okay, went a bit too far there, but, can anyone show me actual proof that osama planned the 9/11 attacks? I can show you proof, however, that Bush planned that attack on Iraq, during which many Iraqis suffered, died, or watched their family members die. And I can also show you proof that Israel has commited war crimes against palestenians. And not-so-reliable-but-still-somewhat-beleivable proof that israel has staged many attacks in an attempt to get others to fight their battles.

And people on either side shouldn't be killed except those causing/trying to cause pain and suffering to others. And not the poor soldiers in Iraq, I mean the rich 'elected' officials in Washington who start all this crap. Or the rich people in any country who start shit, for that matter.

[Nathan11]

Chris, please, just stop while you're ahead.
Listen, Osama Bin Laden took credit for the acts on September 11th, 2001.
I don't think he should be killed (my personal view) but he is the one we will pin with responisiblity.
And Bush did plan the attact on Iraq, but that other comment was just ignorant.

[Chris L]

hmm, I think I will...though there is a picture comparing the 'osama bin laden' in the video where he claimed responsibility for the attacks to a picture from a later video, I wish I could find it, it's pretty damn funny, but, I will stop now...

[Chris L]

Ahh here we go. Check it out:

http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/osamatape.html

and this is that thing about Israel:

http://www.libertyforum.org/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=news_members&Number=293117686


Okay, now I'll stop...

[Nathan11]

Well fuck me running, man.
Looks like you got me there.
You know, I've always had suspession about it, but I've always just believed it...
But, I'm sorry for what I said.
We cool, brotha?
:)

[Chris L]

why, of course we're cool...

I'm cool with everyone...(or at least I try...)

[Nathan11]

Right, it's easier to say you are than to actually fulfil it.
You're a pretty chill dude.
You're on my cool list. ;)

[alphacolor]

Death sentence is based on emotional response.
Allso this whole concept of justice is allso based on emotions.
Emotions can not be included in decisions about a mans life.

People seem to take for granted the "logic" that when a man does something he
should get the same thing. Now where does this logic come from?
From emotions of course. If you use a stick and hit a wild beast, it will
bite you because of its hormones rageing in the bloodstream.
Now, are we humans above that or not? I guess not since we have death sentence.

I believe that jails should have the purpuse of detaining people for the protection of other people, not for punishment in its raw form.
If we really want punishment, then why don't we torture the people in jails?

Punishment is a primitive thing.
Just keep them locked away for everybodies safety (to the end of their lives if it takes) and get on with your lives.

I belive anyone wanting death sentence should take something to relax,
like weed or a sedative.

If we continue this war/punishment/anger/hate policy we will all end up
in underground caves waiting for the nuclear winter to pass.

[Rebel_1]

I dont suport the death penalty in anyway shape or form. God will take care of the person the way he see's fit when the time comes. Mankind is Gods creation and only he has the right to decide.

[JanaXGIRL]

Keith Richards: "My epitaph will be 'Fuckers, I told you I wasn't feeling well!'"

[acetonephish]

I support the death sentence, but only when a man is solidly proven guilty and has done a horrible crime. Hypocritical? Yes. But its human nature to be hypocritical, which is why the death penalty is still legal.

For example, if a man beat, raped, and then strangled my mother to death, I'd want that little fucker dead. Yes, the man would probably be tortured more if he was left to rot behind prison walls for the rest of his life until he died, but I'd still want him dead. To me, a man like that shouldn't deserve to live.

Anywaaaaaay, for people who want to bitch at me >_< When I say solidly proven guilty, I mean (going along with my previous example) that:

The mans skin was found under my mothers fingernails
Strangulation marks match the type of "rope" (or wire...) found in the man's home.
The semen was a perfect DNA match to the asswipe.

Etc... Etc...

[Orsino2]

What's the point in the death sentence when nobody knows what death is? Death is not a proven concept... it's only a theory that we have. It's just how like life is a theory. Life is only a word we made up to go with the definition. If nobody ever thought about it, the entire concept wouldn't exist to begin with.

[Nathan11]

No one has proven that life is real.
It's not possible to.
Really wierd when you think about it.

[Col]

OK, my post was long and probably didn't get read.... but at the end I included this:

But, despite my liberal views, did you remember hearing of that peadophile murderer in Belguim recently? (a year ago or so). He tortured his victims - one was locked in his cellar when he got a prison sentance for another peadophile related crime, he served 3 months by which time of course she had died. Others buried alive after sexual ordeals. Absolutely horrific.
When I heard of this I shocked myself by immediately thinking that the guy should be killed, and quickly - not after some lengthy legal battle. Just get rid of him. please!
Understandable reaction I am sure, but it still shocks me that I haven't changed my view on it. My concience doesn't know what to do with that thought!


any other liberal folk opposed to the death penalty shocked themselves with thoughts like this before?!

[crummyrummy]

was it long? if it was, it didnt get read.

[Col]

What's the point in the death sentence when nobody knows what death is? Death is not a proven concept... it's only a theory that we have. It's just how like life is a theory. Life is only a word we made up to go with the definition. If nobody ever thought about it, the entire concept wouldn't exist to begin with.but if we went down this path then surely there would be no point in many things?
all we have to go off is our perceptions. Now there is a subject to ponder over.

[Orsino2]

but if we went down this path then surely there would be no point in many things?
all we have to go off is our perceptions. Now there is a subject to ponder over.Exactly. A lot of time wasted these days... I spend hours thinking about it. - and no, don't say I have no life, that is my life. Making sense of things as they are.

[Orsino2]

No one has proven that life is real.
It's not possible to.
Really wierd when you think about it.I know... I try telling people that. They assume that they just end up going to heaven if you believe in Christianity... but scientifically, life has never been proven and before you prove that an afterlife exists, I think the first place to start is proving that the concept of life in itself exists... I find a lot of people are ignorant about that, sometimes, then again, I've never really mentioned the subject until now.

[funkmaster93]

i think thats what they deserv!

[Nathan11]

George, some people say that religion is faith, but, not just religion, but all of life.
I have Faith that the Creator of this world (which I believe is a physical plane) will guide me in the after life. I believe she is a being of light that is expressed in all living things, but in the purest for, in Nature.

[Nathan11]

Not all people want this.
Some people are more spiteful, and would want them to be tortured.
lol
Some are more forgiving and would want them raped...
Some, still, are more forgiving and would want to put in therapy to understand what they did (because it can work) and that's all.
People have a lot of different feelings...

[Col]

i think ll rapists should die. i mean for fuckssake, if someone spiked your drink with heroin, and you passed out, then they fucked you without you knowing, youd want the fucker dead.
and if we allowed revenge to rule punishment we would all be pretty fucked.
nice to feel anger on behalf of the feelings you have for the victim, but revenge doesn't solve problems, it pepetuates them.

remember the wise man ghandi "if we allowed an eye for an eye the whole world would soon be blind"

[matthew]

I personaly think the victim or the victims family should decied the fate of the person that wrecked their lives ... but over here their is no death penalty so that might be a little problem .. I would dump people that rape/kill on a desert island with pleny of canned food but no can opener.

[Peace-Phoenix]

i think ll rapists should die. i mean for fuckssake, if someone spiked your drink with heroin, and you passed out, then they fucked you without you knowing, youd want the fucker dead.
I can understand that feeling, I've felt like killing a rapist once, but it's just venom in the heat of the moment. Looking at it objectively, an eye for an eye really does make the whole world blind. No one will ever learn to behave differently, or to treat others better, if society sets such brutal examples....

[Col]

I personaly think the victim or the victims family should decied the fate of the person that wrecked their lives ... There are places with enough lawlesness that this is the case. Retalliation or retribution they call it. Revenge. Northern ireland ended up with this type of crime control on a mass organised scale.
Man that worked a treat, didn't it?

What is sufficient retribution? Where do you draw a line? If someone pushes you, and you then push them back equally to what you thought was their push, and they push you back equally to what they reckoned was your push, it escalates out of control. There have been studies dealing with this, the perception of a wrong done to you is usually out of proportion to the actual wrong. I think that the death penalty for burglary would be completely over the top, but if my house was broken into and we were victims of burglary and I had to deal with my families psychological torment of having our home space invaded in such a way then I would feel murderous.

No, victims should not be allowed to dish out the punishment!

.... and thats only dealing with the practicallities of it, not touching the morality - if you dish out rape for a rapist, then are you not a rapist? same with murder.

[Nathan11]

Yeah Col, you become a murderer if you kill the murderer, but so many people are sick and think that it is justified to do such a thing.