pro-capital punishment or anti-capital punishment?

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

I am against the death penalty.

There are lots of reasons. Here are a few:

- It's an irreversible punishment, which isn't always the best complement to an imperfect judicial system. I once had a great conversation with a guy who spent just under a decade on death row before having his case overturned and the real killer apprehended. He was completely innocent. Had he been put to death prior to that turn of events, it would be truly abhorrent. Dozens and dozens of cases were overturned after the introduction of DNA evidence.
- It's expensive. Very expensive.
- It's geographically problematic. Commit murder in one state and you're toast. Commit it in another, and you're ok.
- It's subjective, otherwise. There's suggestion of racial bias, as well.
- There really is little evidence that it's much of a deterrent.

I'm for tougher sentencing for violent crime. I think long prison sentences are good, and I also think we need better education, stronger job programs, and stronger families.

Other elements police chiefs across the country have suggested as a means to reduce crime are fewer guns and better economic situations.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by tnbound2day

A second offense, yes.

What case are you basing this on?

[GregW]

Yes, but only in cases involving political corruption and war profiteering. Normal crimes like killing, robbery etc. just use imprisonment. Oh, add repeated drunk. and/or drugged driving to the no stepper list.

[Yeledaf]

Originally Posted by GregW

Yes, but only in cases involving political corruption and war profiteering. Normal crimes like killing, robbery etc. just use imprisonment. Oh, add repeated drunk. and/or drugged driving to the no stepper list.

How would you define "war profiteering"? Would it include the GI Bill for veterans education and VA home mortgages? Would it include the Interstate Highway System? Would it include the advances in commerical aircraft and air traffic control systems, both military innovations, which permitted the rapid development of civilian air travel? How about the computer industry, since the refinement of microcomputers and transistor technology came about as a result of the space program, which had its foundation in the strategic missile program? Or the Internet -- which as you know is an outgrowth of a Department fo Defense innovation? I could go on -- for a long, long time.

The point is that all of us "profit from war" -- physically, economically, technologically, even culturally. While it may provide some fleeting satisfaction to point an accusing finger at the Halliburtons and General Dynamics of the word, we are being less than honest by not pointing that finger straight at ourselves, since we all have benefitted and continue to benefit from the developments and refinements in technology, medicine, and general science, that are the direct result of military action.

"War profiteers"? Face it: that would be you, and me -- and all of us.

[GregW]

I decided that calling for the execution of specific individuals and/or companies in public might not be so bright. Just use your imagination and guess.

[Greatday]

I am pro death penalty

I would like to see those who commit violent crimes against children executed as well.

[Marodi]

I'm pro.


The reason it's not a deterrent is because of all the murderers and scumbuckets that should get the chair/needle/squad, only a minority do.

[jufrbo]

I use to be very strong in support of the death penalty, but recently after some personal matters I'm not so sure. I now know that our judicial system isn't what i thought it was. Although i think certain people do deserve death, I'm not so sure that I have faith that only the guilty get convicted.