The death Penelty

[BrassFusion]

I'm so used to being the voice of opposition here that I really don't know what to do with myself. I agree that the death penalty doesn't have a place in our society. Solution to violent criminals? Lock them up forever, and give them a chance to contribute to society through writing, art, and music, all of which can be accomplished in a solitary cell. It would probably be difficult on the family of the victims if the murderer became the next Britney Spears, but I don't think that sort of vengeful wrath is justification for killing someone.

I actually wrote a really good essay about this in 8th grade.

[The_Dark]

What exactly is the cost to incarcerate someone for life... say a 23 year old man walks into McDonalds and kills 15 random people. Does it really cost more to put them to death than to feed and house them for 50 years?

[BrassFusion]

Not sure. I've heard it both ways... but can you put a price on his life?

[The_Dark]

Yes.. in the case above.. I can. $1.23 thats how much a bullet for my rifle costs.

[BrassFusion]

I can kill a man with a paperclip. So about 2 cents.

Actually, I think you know that's not what I meant. It's impossible to value a person's contributions to society before they're made, and it's impossible to value their own life experience. A person can put a value on his OWN life, but no one else can.

It becomes especially tricky when you consider whether there's an afterlife. I tend to not believe that there is, which is probably the MOST de-valuing to a human life.

What if the guy's going straight to hell, and another 50 years in prison would offer him the opportunity to repent and contribute?

[phee]

Yes.. in the case above.. I can. $1.23  thats how much a bullet for my rifle costs.

would you still believe in the death penalty if someone you love was falsly executed?

Or you spent a $1.23 and killed the wrong person...?

[The_Dark]

Yes.

[phee]

Yes.

I can't argue with that.... if you think it's ok for your daughter to be killed by the government as part of the exceptable losses... well I suppose you are welcome to

[The_Dark]

I didn't say it was OK.

[phee]

So the Death Penelty is not OK when it victemizes your loved ones?

[kellygrrrrrl]

I did not read any of the arguments.

Here is my statement plain and simple.

Thout shall not kill....

and there is eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.

then there is how can one judged when they are themselves to be judged....

etc etc .... gets kind of confusing.

I say, take the state of "__________" whatever....put up a giant wall, put them all in there and give them guns and just let them go at it and kill eachotehr off.

[The_Dark]

Not, it's not OK, but I would still support the Death Penalty.

[phee]

Not, it's not OK, but I would still support the Death Penalty.

Even if it incorrectly killed your loved one? That is more hardcore then me mate....

[Blackmail]

Even if it incorrectly killed your loved one? That is more hardcore then me mate....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Phee, the odds of your daughter being incorrectly blamed for murder is about 1 in a jillion, probably less than her being killed in a car accident. Does that mean you won't let your daughter drive a car?

[BrassFusion]

Phee, the odds of your daughter being incorrectly blamed for murder is about 1 in a jillion, probably less than her being killed in a car accident.  Does that mean you won't let your daughter drive a car?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cars probably won't ever be repealed or legally revised, like you could do with a state death penalty...

[phee]

Cars probably won't ever be repealed or legally revised, like you could do with a state death penalty...

Exactly...

Cars kill

The government kills deliberatly, and we pay for it

[The_Dark]

are you sure about that? You have no "right" to own a car.

[BrassFusion]

I built my car out of driftwood and lichen. I'll be damned if some government is going to take it away from me.

[Blackmail]

Exactly...

Cars kill

The government kills deliberatly, and we pay for it

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think you kind of dodged my point thought. I'm just saying that you really can't base your opinion on the death penalty based on how it might (but highly unlikely) affect your daughter someday. Well you can, I just can't grasp that logic.

But your second point is interesting. What if the majority of a particular state were opposed to the death penalty and it was still being administered.....why should the states funds go towards that?

Because I am opposed to the death penalty. Let's say I get a job in texas, why should tax money go towards an execution that I don't agree with? (I'm actually going somewhere with this, I'll connect the dots after your reply)

[phee]

I think you kind of dodged my point thought.  I'm just saying that you really can't base your opinion on the death penalty based on how it might (but highly unlikely) affect your daughter someday.    Well you can, I just can't grasp that logic.

But your second point is interesting.  What if the majority of a particular state were opposed to the death penalty and it was still being administered.....why should the states funds go towards that? 

Because I am opposed to the death penalty.  Let's say I get a job in texas, why should tax money go towards an execution that I don't agree with?  (I'm actually going somewhere with this, I'll connect the dots after your reply)

I am listening... let's say you do that

And Dark... I do have a right to own a car.... driving on the other hand I believe should be a privilidge...

[The_Dark]

Because we live in a Democracy... or loosly translated... Mob Rule.

[phee]

Because we live in a Democracy... or loosly translated...  Mob Rule.

That is true... and if people in this country believe in the death penalty... then I have 2 choices... leave, or try to make changes for the better... for the most part I like this country... so I am trying to make changes for the better...

[phee]

I also want to point out that killing someone in prison who doesn't pose any immenant threat, is far different than killing someone on the battlefield

[The_Dark]

I agree... but don;t bring up the cost of Killing them again... it costs far more to keep them alive.

[Blackmail]

I am listening... let's say you do that

And Dark... I do have a right to own a car.... driving on the other hand I believe should be a privilidge...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well, you didn't respond to my post.

And the Dark, you are right about mob rule, to a degree.

Sometimes laws overide public sentiment. I bet there are cities in the South that would not allow African Americans to date white people. Their collective will is trumped by law.

Now, we are officially off topic.

So let me steer it back again:

If you're a christian how can you be for the death penalty? Isn't it (your) God's job to judge?