Texas inmate wants to tell a joke at his execution

[Ban Hammer 13,275]

while i agree with the hard labor, i'd also state that such should be applied to those that do not commit murder. murders should be removed from the human race by a quick execution. act like a mad dog, get treated like one

But what if it turn out that he/she was innocent and didn't do it, yet they'd already been executed? With hard labour you can release them, with the death penalty...well, it's pretty final really.

then save such for the open and shut cases. this clown confessed. sounds open and shut to me.

[Ban Hammer 13,275]

Wait … wild thought …

isn't there a fence to be built? what better use for our tax $$$

sure they can escape ... to mexico ... where there could be a very nice bounty posted as a reward for returned recognizable bodies. That is … if the escaped convict manages to not be “retained for immigration violations” by the mexican authorities

[William33 110]

16 hours of hard labor would be a good compromise.

Even if they do meaningless work, like breaking up rocks..

For murderers, they could be trained and employed in a chain gang, demining Cambodia. Well, skip the training.

Edited June 4, 2007 by William33

[Ban Hammer 13,275]

People who murder, don't deserve to enjoy life.

Exactly. Isn't that why we have prisons?

Being alive unto itself is enjoyment. Haven't you heard? inmates can read books, watch television and appreciate the outdoors.

Can the murdered people? Not from 6 feet under.

oh yeah forgot to address this one:

[Fandango 1,439]

I would want that man to suffer for what he did. Death seems like an easy out to me. And it's certainly not our place to say we're killing in the name of justice.

I find your statement curious....sounds more like a 'death is too easy' argument more than a humanitarian angle..

Edited June 4, 2007 by LisaD

[Fandango 1,439]

Yes, but when we define the punishment for a crime, we should avoid the desire for vengeance as a consideration. It's uncivilized.

ALL punishment is vengeance....don't kid yourself

[Ban Hammer 13,275]

maybe the joke he can tell is about how so many in vj are complaining about capital punishment on his behalf.

[natty bumppo 293]

Yes, but when we define the punishment for a crime, we should avoid the desire for vengeance as a consideration. It's uncivilized.

ALL punishment is vengeance....don't kid yourself

wow ... how do parents sleep at night after correcting a child ?

[Fandango 1,439]

Yes, but when we define the punishment for a crime, we should avoid the desire for vengeance as a consideration. It's uncivilized.

ALL punishment is vengeance....don't kid yourself

wow ... how do parents sleep at night after correcting a child ?

I meant in the justice system, unwad your panties hon

[natty bumppo 293]

Yes, but when we define the punishment for a crime, we should avoid the desire for vengeance as a consideration. It's uncivilized.

ALL punishment is vengeance....don't kid yourself

wow ... how do parents sleep at night after correcting a child ?

I meant in the justice system, unwad your panties hon

but it feels so ...

okay ... just for fun ...

aren't parents a justice system too?

[Alex+R 0]

I would want that man to suffer for what he did. Death seems like an easy out to me. And it's certainly not our place to say we're killing in the name of justice.

I find your statement curious....sounds more like a 'death is too easy' argument more than a humanitarian angle..

Yeah, Charles asked me to put myself in the shoes of someone who lost a close family member to someone condemned to death row. Maybe I would want to see the guy suffer at first. Later, I would think I might forgive him as best I could to go on with my life, but probably not at first. I think mostly I'd be mourning the loss rather than thinking about vengeance. I don't know, because nobody close to me has ever been murdered (thank god). The point is that I would probably be having lots of emotional responses, but that has no place in the justice system. In the end, killing Rey's killer would not bring Rey back. I was trying to tell Charles that yes, I might have all sorts of emotions, but that should not be part of how we make decisions about what is just.

PS I totally disagree that all punishment is vengeance. Most prisons focus on rehabilitation, at least on the surface. I see capital punishment as vengeance, but that is because it's a barbaric remnant of a less developed society that we can't seem to shake.

[Fandango 1,439]

but it feels so ...

okay ... just for fun ...

aren't parents a justice system too?

I suppose if you want to be pedantic, sure. But that's not how I meant it

[Fandango 1,439]

I would want that man to suffer for what he did. Death seems like an easy out to me. And it's certainly not our place to say we're killing in the name of justice.

I find your statement curious....sounds more like a 'death is too easy' argument more than a humanitarian angle..

Yeah, Charles asked me to put myself in the shoes of someone who lost a close family member to someone condemned to death row. Maybe I would want to see the guy suffer at first. Later, I would think I might forgive him as best I could to go on with my life, but probably not at first. I think mostly I'd be mourning the loss rather than thinking about vengeance. I don't know, because nobody close to me has ever been murdered (thank god). The point is that I would probably be having lots of emotional responses, but that has no place in the justice system. In the end, killing Rey's killer would not bring Rey back. I was trying to tell Charles that yes, I might have all sorts of emotions, but that should not be part of how we make decisions about what is just.

PS I totally disagree that all punishment is vengeance. Most prisons focus on rehabilitation, at least on the surface. I see capital punishment as vengeance, but that is because it's a barbaric remnant of a less developed society that we can't seem to shake.

You're confusing me a bit here because when you speak of there being 'fates worse than death' and death being 'too easy'. That's vengeful.

I can't really see your point because I'm not sure what it is.... you say you'd want them to suffer, but then you say it's not right to kill...but then you say death is too easy...then you say that a punishment shouldn't be vengeful.

WADR, it seems to me your logic is all over the place here.

Do you really think anyone is interested in rehabilitating someone locked away for life without the possibility of parole? Think about it.

Edited June 4, 2007 by LisaD

[natty bumppo 293]

but it feels so ...

okay ... just for fun ...

aren't parents a justice system too?

I suppose if you want to be pedantic, sure. But that's not how I meant it

I know your meaning ... but (sorry darn edit function timed out on me ... )

don't these same parents help create the "laws of the land"? and serve on the jury(s), etc ... etc ...

now thats been said we can move on

[Alex+R 0]

Lisa, I think you're right that I'm being unclear. Let me clarify...tomorrow when I'm not drooling tired. Seriously, I just typed up a whole other post and it didn't make sense either.