New Jersey is moving towards a ban on capital punishment.. (Brown, governor)

[Mojo Riley]

Originally Posted by HighPlainsDrifter73

Part of the problem is these endless appeals that add unnecessary costs to these legal procedures. While I don't doubt that those numbers are accurate, I question the need for all of these legal processes. I'd be all in favor of streamlining the legal system so we don't have to run up sky high costs to the taxpayer and make punishment more certain and swifter.

The reason that we have "endless appeals" as you say is to ensure that people who will be killed by the state have actually committed the crime for which they're to die. Check out why Illinois instituted a moratorium on the DP. Lots of young men were tortured by the police in order to get confessions. Our process isn't perfect, but at least it aims to get the story right before we go and execute people on the taxpayer's dime.

[buildings_and_bridges]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Since I belieive in letting the punishment fit the crime, I'm sure most crime victims their families would agree that a certain amount of revenge is more effective than letting the piece of scum sit on death row for 15 or 20 years & take advantage of the appeal system (at the taxpayers' expense).

If you believe in letting the punishment fit the crime, are you up for taking that a step further, since, as far as I know, capital punishment is the only type of punishment we have in place that corresponds so directly to the crime? For example, would you have rapists be raped themselves as punishment? Have someone break into burglars' homes? We might be talking about a radical change to the system, especially if we're allowing for vigilante justice, which, of course, could get out of hand quickly. And I suppose vigilante justice is far more about vengeance than actual justice, which leads me to my next comment.

You're absolutely right the death penalty is about vengence ... and why shouldn't it be?

Because I'm under the impression that there's a difference between revenge and justice and we're discussing the judicial system here.

[Jay F]

This is the final straw. New Jersey is officially my worst state. I disagree with their high taxes, high welfare, bar and casino smoking bans (even if I don't smoke) and now they go ahead and take the side of brutal killers who have caused so much pain and misery to innocent people and their loved ones.

I despise New Jersey so much that I am trying to boycott products made in that state. This can be difficult especially when buying medication because so many of the pharm. companies are headquarted there. Yesterday I tried to buy vitamins and both brands offered were based in New Jersey. I don't want to support people that love taxes and criminals.

[saganista]

Originally Posted by burdell

I just think there are cases where the death penalty is just, as in the case where a man undeniably killed another, not by accident, not for revenge, not in the commission of theft, but purely for sport. I believe someone like that has willingly forfeited their right to a life on this planet.

Well, I might go along with that 'sport' thing. Another couple of inches to the left, and Dick Cheney would have qualified. But in an attempt to be serious, I'm not sure you're asking the right question. If someone can be deemed to have as much as forfeited his right to life, it would seem that he's forfeited his right to be considered in the equation at all. Maybe we should be looking to what other interests are involved, and which, if any, of these is actually advanced in any way by the premeditated killing of people....

[saganista]

Originally Posted by Yeledaf

You'd need the wholesale resignation of the Jersey legislature to begin to accomplish that.

Well, they hadn't executed anyone since 1963 anyway. Which left them trailing Washington state over that interval by, let's see...four. Seriously. What do you think was accomplished by executing four people in 44 years instead of none?

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by saganista

Well, they hadn't executed anyone since 1963 anyway. Which left them trailing Washington state over that interval by, let's see...four. Seriously. What do you think was accomplished by executing four people in 44 years instead of none?

Gee, I'm so glad we don't have to put up with the same crap they do in NJ.

We put them on a gurney, put the needle in, start the flow - have a cup of coffee - take the needle out, wheel them out. Go home.

[cremebrulee]

Originally Posted by tigerlily

I hope Oregon follows suit, although there haven't been any executions here for quite some time.
Clips:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/ny...nt&oref=slogin
The New Jersey Senate on voted today to make the state the first in the country to repeal the death penalty since the United States Supreme Court allowed executions to resume in 1976 and established the nation’s current system of capital punishment.

Passage in the Senate was seen as the bill’s biggest obstacle, and in the end it was approved 21 to 16, receiving the bare minimum number of votes required.

Legislators on both sides of the debate expect the measure to pass easily on Thursday in the Assembly, where the Democrats enjoy a 50-to-30 majority, .

Gov. Jon S. Corzine, a staunch opponent of the death penalty, has repeatedly said he would sign a measure ending executions..

...

well, of course they are, NJ is one of the most corrupt states...not to mention, it's politicians are inhuman garbage collectors who thrive on taxes and lining their pockets, at the expense of it's community.
Sorry Corzine, but do ya really think after your accident people believe you not only slowed down but now you wear your seat belt...you all think your above the law....

Sorry, Just my thoughts...


NJ is a beautiful state, filled with beautiful people...and as far as I'm concerned, nobody owns the beach....but all the rich criminals moved in and placed their stakes...didn't they...

[Yeledaf]

Originally Posted by saganista

Well, they hadn't executed anyone since 1963 anyway. Which left them trailing Washington state over that interval by, let's see...four. Seriously. What do you think was accomplished by executing four people in 44 years instead of none?

Four fewer murderers muddying up the gene pool?

[cremebrulee]

Originally Posted by Yeledaf

Four fewer murderers muddying up the gene pool?

They don't need capital punishment, they exterminate people on their own....

Hi there Yeledaf...how ya doing?

[saganista]

Originally Posted by Yeledaf

Four fewer murderers muddying up the gene pool?

Yeah, I've noticed that those on life-without-parole have been out spreading their seed around all over the place. That's a real good reason, alright...