Are you for or against the death penalty?

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by hidigger

The problem with the DP is that there are times that innocent people are given this penalty and once given it can not be reversed ever. So like the guy who Rick Perry put to death in Texas and it is now almost positive he did not set a fire that killed his kids, he is dead at the hands of the state and there is no way to fix it.

I am for the death penalty in cases where there is absolutely no doubt that a crime of murder has taken place with absolutely no mitigating circumstances. This makes it almost never that it can be applied. Rarely are things cut and dry. Even the tea baggers are running around like here in Florida on AM 1580 lovejoy [tin foil hat show] saying that the Colorado shooter was brain washed by the AG and Hillary, so why should he be put to death if you believe that he is just a pawn in a huge conspiracy? But I don't think Tea baggers think that far ahead.

No, I don't think "tea baggers" think that far ahead. But the Tea Party may.

[callmemaybe]

Originally Posted by The Homogenizer

The problem with choosing mercy over justice is that it victimizes the victims.

Who's to say all victims want blood for blood?

[The Homogenizer]

Originally Posted by callmemaybe

Who's to say all victims want blood for blood?

That's an intriguing question that I've never considered. I hope I have time to research some opinions to help develop my own in the near future.

[The Homogenizer]

Originally Posted by callmemaybe

Who's to say all victims want blood for blood?

I've researched and have thought about it.

If the victims have not been active in opposing the current expression of justice, then they have subordinated their desires to the current power; therefore, their wants are reflected in current law, and "not wanting blood for blood" would be irrational since it would be a contradiction and must be disregarded. However, if the victims have been active in opposing contemporary standards of justice, then their wants should be taken into consideration for sentencing.

[godofthunder9010]

A murderer has deprived their victim of the rest of that victim's life. Likewise depriving the murderer of the rest of their own is not inherently malicious. I think being locked up for life with no chance of ever getting out would much worse.