That was a waste of $3 million! (cost, legal, vs) - Atlanta - Georgia (GA) - Page 4 - City-Data Forum

neil0311 · 12-14-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

Thank you...I'm sure many of the experts commenting in this thread have assumed he was an uneducated ghetto rat. Those are the same folks that support the death penalty...

I didn't read where anyone assumed anything about his educational achievement, and even if they did, who cares? Many prisoners use taxpayer funds in prison to get an education. I guess that's their version of the Hope Scholarship. Whether he was a college professor or he worked at McDonalds doesn't matter one iota.

He's a remorseless, cold blooded cop killer, and he should be facing a death sentence. The fact that anyone could feel sympathy for him or think he deserves any kind of mercy is just beyond me. I know that there are principled stances against the death penalty, but when the situation is this clear cut, I find those arguments hollow.

DeaconJ · 12-14-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil0311

I didn't read where anyone assumed anything about his educational achievement, and even if they did, who cares? Many prisoners use taxpayer funds in prison to get an education. I guess that's their version of the Hope Scholarship. Whether he was a college professor or he worked at McDonalds doesn't matter one iota.

He's a remorseless, cold blooded cop killer, and he should be facing a death sentence. The fact that anyone could feel sympathy for him or think he deserves any kind of mercy is just beyond me. I know that there are principled stances against the death penalty, but when the situation is this clear cut, I find those arguments hollow.

There was an assumption that came through loud and clear that Brian Nichols is not college educated or even educated at all.

That's your opinion...and I hope most people don't find a "cop killer" any worse than any other killer. I don't find anyone feeling sorry for him in this thread...and there's a big difference in sympathy for an individual and disgust for the death penalty.

neil0311 · 12-14-2008, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

There was an assumption that came through loud and clear that Brian Nichols is not college educated or even educated at all. It comes through loud and clear.

That's your opinion...and I hope most people don't find a "cop killer" any worse than any other killer. I don't find anyone feeling sorry for him in this thread...and there's a big difference in sympathy for an individual and disgust for the death penalty.

I think you're trying to make a racial situation where none exists. If your point is that people assumed he wasn't college educated because he was black, then that's your cross to bear. I see a cold blooded killer and don't give a rat's behind how many degrees he has.

As for the cop killer distinction, most states have more severe penalties for cop killers, because the assumption is that if someone is brazen enough and twisted enough to shoot a cop, they'll have no compunction against shooting you or me. I do look at shooting a cop as more egregious. I guess the day of respecting the law and those who represent the law are gone for some in our community.

billl · 12-14-2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil0311

He's a remorseless, cold blooded cop killer, and he should be facing a death sentence. The fact that anyone could feel sympathy for him or think he deserves any kind of mercy is just beyond me. I know that there are principled stances against the death penalty, but when the situation is this clear cut, I find those arguments hollow.

I have no sympathy for him and I am not advocating any sort of mercy. But I do have this question: what is the benefit in killing him?

DeaconJ · 12-14-2008, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil0311

I think you're trying to make a racial situation where none exists. If your point is that people assumed he wasn't college educated because he was black, then that's your cross to bear. I see a cold blooded killer and don't give a rat's behind how many degrees he has.

As for the cop killer distinction, most states have more severe penalties for cop killers, because the assumption is that if someone is brazen enough and twisted enough to shoot a cop, they'll have no compunction against shooting you or me. I do look at shooting a cop as more egregious. I guess the day of respecting the law and those who represent the law are gone for some in our community.

Hmmm...and I didn't even mention race - you did.

No, I don't see how a cop's life is more important than any other...all life is precious, and should not be so easily dismissed. How about the life of the judge he killed? Just as important in my book...as are the lives of a teacher, parking attendant, or the clerk at the convenience store down the street.

neil0311 · 12-14-2008, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billl

But I do have this question: what is the benefit in killing him?

Wow....that's a softball question. Simple:

- He'd never kill anyone ever again. Not in public or in prison. He's a menace to society. Even the Judge admonished prison guards to keep their eyes open, even when Nichols is "80 years old".

- Retribution and justice. His crime was heinous and deserves the ultimate penalty.

- One less person in our prison system

- To a lesser degree, and I know opinions are mixed, but to signal that crimes of this magnitude will be dealt with harshly and quickly. The "deterrent" effect.