Do You Oppose Capital Punishment?

I ask this because I have an ear of support for those caught in the public eye and want to demonstrate support for how people are affected when their affairs are publicized. Is the court still a viable resource if the case is publicized? If the records are not immediately redacted and sealed, will it all be levied by vigilante victims' rights groups beyond the judiciary?

This is a vague example though; and it is so by design! But I wonder how this plays a role in our politics. If our representatives, senators, mayors, and governors are pro or anti, does it affect our view of our country?

Also, to put this in perspective if we are a 'them, they, their' household or political party, and we subscribe to a progressive stance about gender or marriage or sexual orientation, and we are asked when we submit certain forms if we are male or female and also categories for maybe 'non-binary', or find some bathrooms 'gender-neutral' versus 'family' or something, does that all go without also analysis for capital punishment?

Capital Punishment... each time it is televised in an episode of our favorite show, or perhaps for a docuseries or non-fiction presentation of prison or scared straight perhaps we have an opportunity. The opportunity soon subsides, and it becomes a non-issue; our stance is muted, and the decision makers hold the gavel.

I wanted to present this and less so in the context of who is President. Maybe we remain neutral from the oval office and that position at the head of government and military but then allow our court system to administer such.

I wouldn't be half surprised if Kamala Harris is a 'yes' on capital punishment, which may actually be good since she is young for some older voters.

The data I have read suggests that it doesn't necessarily work as a deterrent. That seems to suggest it should be under oversight and review. But I think there is a disconnect there too.

What do we need to do to understand justice has been served? How does it belong in the sphere of public opinion? And for how long? At some point we say, "Goodbye, America" and then "What does that make of me?" and "Is that justice?".

And if a case is publicized, does the fact that it is public influence the way a court rules? It could affect their status in elections as a result.

And does the vigilante group let the newer case determine the way they enact their version of justice on an older matter that wasn't subject to judiciary, if something wasn't addressed by law enforcement?

To bring it to you for discourse should you choose to respond, what are your thoughts on Capital Punishment?

 

Absolutely. 100% oppose it.

It's a perfect punishment in an imperfect justice system. We know for a fact we've executed innocent people. As someone with a conscience, there is no way I can support this.

Also, EVERYONE should be weary relaxing in a society whose government can exterminate its citizens.

The same people who oppose universal healthcare because they don't want government involved in their healthcare are fine with the government killing people.

I can't even wrap my head around that "logic"

 

I’m in a really similar headspace - we know that false convictions are troublingly common, and when those rise to capital punishment, that kind of irreversible outcome is terrible - the moral argument is to my mind an important addition to this, as condoning government taking a life is kind of chilling.

I don’t know that given a perfect system where we can know for 100% certain that someone is guilty is good enough for me - but at one time it was.

 

I oppose it because they fuck up too much and end up killing someone who is innocent!!

 

"Twenty years have passed since this Court declared that the death penalty must be imposed fairly, and with reasonable consistency, or not at all, and, despite the effort of the states and courts to devise legal formulas and procedural rules to meet this daunting challenge, the death penalty remains fraught with arbitrariness, discrimination, caprice, and mistake."
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun, Feb. 22, 1994

Black and Hispanic people represent 31% of the U.S. population, but comprise 53% of death row inmates and 89% of those chosen for capitol prosecution. Despite numerous attempts at reform, the administration of the death penalty remains overtly racist in application, and as such inevitably violates defendant's rights to due process and equal protection under the law, and is therefore prima facie unconstitutional.



NACDL - Race and the Death Penalty
Racial Disparities in Federal Death Penalty Prosecutions 1988-1994 | Death Penalty Information Center

 

I am for it, but only for the most heinous of crimes, and only without a shadow of a doubt. To me its more like taking out a rabid dog, then an eye for an eye, so to speak. And I'd rather it be quick then painful.

 

Isn't there a viewing room?

 

For the guy that rapes and kills a 4 year old girl --( it happened ) or the guy who knocks up a 10 year old -- ( it happened) ---lets put him in jail, feed him, let him watch tv , socialize and work out for a number of years. I'm sure the parents of the little girls would be just fine and dandy with that. If there is ANY doubt about cases like this---life in prison and the Innocence Project should investigate--- Otherwise------

 

Same as other posts that oppose it.

I am not completely against it in principle, but I am against it in practice.

As a side note I don’t like the word punishment to begin with. Not a big believer in free will, and therefore in personal responsibility, the legal system is there to protect the innocent rather than punish the guilty. Though it is often just semantics in practice.

Anyhow… if there was a way to make 100% sure on a systemic level (that is in all cases that a law and procedure apply to, not just some cherrypicked examples) what was done by whome, and to peep into the mind, motivations, mental state, rehab potential and what not of individuals than yes, I would be more inclined to support it. It would also eliminate endless appeals etc that make it costlier than life imprisonment, or so the detractors claim.

But as someone said it is a “perfect” punishment in an imperfect legal system. We do not have the possibility of such certainty and insight, so it is safer to not make solutions that final.

 

In some cases I support capital punishment; in some cases I do not. Depends on the details of the crime and the "nature" of the person who is found guilty of it.

 

Oh just send those on death row to Australia to live out the rest of their lives. Worked great for the English.

 

COMMERCIALS CLICKED OFF AFTER 4 SECONDS.

 

I suppose I could put hundreds of these up here--but I think my point has been made. There are some bad, bad motherfuckers out there and they deserve --TO PAY-- for what they do. TAKE CARE of your kids and trust no strangers.