Capital punishment.

[panamania79 2]

What do you think about it ?

[dalegg 143]

If used more frequently, we wouldn't have to worry about prison overcrowding.

[_Simpson_ 250]

I am for it, with DNA testing and the technology we have today odds are that we wont put to death the wrong person to death.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

My capital has been punished enough, thank you!

[_Simpson_ 250]

My capital has been punished enough, thank you!

[EasyRider 3]

Using logic and reasoning, it's hard for me to formulate an effective argument supporting capital punishment. With that said, I must admit that I've wished the demise of somebody for far less of an infraction than one that would warrant a death sentence. So I have mixed emotions on this issue. Lets say for now, against.

[I'm Gone 60]

Yes, but needs to be carried out faster to be a deterrent Bunch of BS to drag things out 10 or 15 years on technicalities. People more likely to die of old age than death sentence in some states.

[Peikko 1,575]

I'm against it for many reasons, but I think I'll focus on the problem of the executioner for now. How does society accept the imposition of something like that on anyone? Necessarily the role of executioner can not be undertaken by anyone who 'wants' to be one, so it has to be laid onto someone who would prefer not to do it. As a member of society that allows for capital punishment, one is meant to share in the responsibility of execution with the executioner but I suspect that most of us shut that thought out, the grim reality of execution, and I am not at all comfortable with that role either. It is a burden I would much rather not shoulder.

It seems to me, that it is certainly preferable to retain prisoners that cannot be allowed to exist in normal society in permanent detention rather than demand execution.

[Nagishkaw 510]

It seems to me, that it is certainly preferable to retain prisoners that cannot be allowed to exist in normal society in permanent detention rather than demand execution.

I agree.

[britbird 4]

I think it has to be reserved for the most heinous of crimes, (serial killers, people who do unspeakable things to children for instance) and that there should likely be a DNA style burden of proof. Weird thing is of course that the 'people' who do the most horrible things usually escape the death penalty through an insanity plea.

I saw the play 'The Exonerated', and it still has me thinking about the subject years later (I'd recommend it...and the Innocence Project is a very thought provoking organization)...I would like to say I'm completely against the death penalty. I go back and forth on the issue. One thing that bothers me is that it seems to be scarily easy for certain criminals to keep tormenting the families of their victims even when they are locked up for life. ANother thing that bothers me is Judges like the one in Alabama (I think...apologies if I am wrong) who refuse to hear Death Penalty appeals even when exonerating evidence has come to light.

A further concern is that the criminal justice system in the US tends to disfavor poor and minority folks when it comes to life sentences and the imposition of the death penalty. Heck, public defenders in certain states get less than $1000 to pay for the defense of someone in a Death Penalty case. Life is unfair I know, but there is something very very troubling about that. If the criminal justice system was close to treating everyone on an equal footing I think I'd be a little less uneasy about the death penalty. Further, I think it's the case that you only get financial help with one appeal. And there are multiple stages of a death penalty appeal...if you start out in the State system, then it can be something like 8 steps before you could get to the Supreme Court...that's a heck of a lot of resources to come up with if you are poor...or even middle class for that matter.

So. I guess the answer to your question is that I'm on the fence, though I understand why people want it. I'd be more inclined to agree with those who favor it for future protection of society than simply as a form of retribution/revenge.

[_Simpson_ 250]

Using logic and reasoning, it's hard for me to formulate an effective argument supporting capital punishment. With that said, I must admit that I've wished the demise of somebody for far less of an infraction than one that would warrant a death sentence. So I have mixed emotions on this issue. Lets say for now, against.

And what logic would that be