Spinoff: Death penalty - Page 2

micheller · 11-07-2003, 02:53 PM

Curlyshorty, that's exactly why I feel the way I do about the death penalty. I truly do not believe you can be 100% against it, unless you have actually suffered the loss of a loved one at the hands of a murderer, and then decided the death penalty is not the proper punishment. Until that time happens (which I pray for everyone's sake none of us have to go through the horrible tragedy you have obvioulsy suffered), I feel that I can only say that I am against the death penalty "in theory". I do totally understand a victim's need for vengance. I only pray that I am never tested in this way, because I do not know what I would do. My deepest sympathies for your loss.

Mip · 11-07-2003, 03:02 PM

I learn in class a couple of days ago, that the average length of time a murderer serves in prison is only about 12 years. This is in England, by the way.

mandyv · 11-07-2003, 03:11 PM

I'm going to add something that I hope doesn't offend anyone but I don't think our system of punishment and rehabilitation should include the wishes of the victims' families. If we base punishment on victims' families, we'd kill every alleged and convicted defendant no matter what. Even when they're proven guilty, defendants should be punished based on our laws not the grief of the families. If we are going to be a nation of laws, we need to respect the law as its written no matter who is affected by it.

KeyKinks · 11-07-2003, 09:23 PM

I'm on the fence on this one as well. Certain crimes should carry the penalty of death in this country. A person that can rape an 8 year old girl, mutilate her body, and torture her to death deserves to die. I don't care if that is taking them out of their misery or not, but in my opinion, the have no place in this existence.
But I don't believe in the death penalty in this country. People are not treated equally in this country or in the criminal justice system, and there are way too many innocent people sitting in prisons for crimes they did not commit. I realize that the system will never be foolproof, but there is still plenty of room for improvement as it is now.

Po · 11-08-2003, 08:58 AM

I'm against the death penalty.

I have had many family members that were murdered (none that I was close to). My mother was close to them, however. And she is against the death penalty, also. She KNOWS what it's like to lose a family member, and she doesn't want to cause someone else's family the same pain. Their love for their loved one is no less than the love she felt for the people she has lost.

And I feel the same way.

I do get tested sometimes, though. A little girl from my neighborhood was kidnapped a couple years and they've never found her. I truly believe in my heart that her step-father killed her or had something to do with it. I personally want to kill him, but I can't agree with the a state-sponsored killing. And if for some reason he is charged and convicted, he won't get the death penalty because WI doesn't have it.

daiquiri · 11-08-2003, 12:55 PM

I'm for the death penalty, at least in principle. I think if someone I love is murdered I'd be tortured knowing that the killer was alive and well in his little cell. I know that he's deprived of his freedom and all but he gets to enjoy at least some of the things life has to offer like see his family. Can't say the same for his victim. Also, it'd just kill me if he was released due to good behaviour or something.

I know it's wrong to be so vengeful but it's really just what I believe.

ducky · 11-08-2003, 07:45 PM

I'm also on the fence on this one, and in part I agree with the bumper sticker "Why should we kill people who kill people to show that killing people is wrong?"

but also... I think some people do not deserve this life that God grants us, when they use it to take life from others.

but again... some of the most gruesome and disgusting and horrifying crimes have been committed by someone who felt it was his/her holy war against the person or persons he/she killed. These people will see their death as martyrdom, or something equal. So what is the difference between one person's holy war and another person's terrorism?

my heart goes out to those who have been personally touched by murder or other vicious crimes. I'm thankful I don't know that kind of loss, but possibly if I did, then I could make a definite decision on this one. For now, I'll stay on the fence.

Gretchen · 11-08-2003, 07:56 PM

Utterly against.

It is wholly wrong to take anyone's life for any reason whatsoever.

IMHO.