I used to be pro-death penalty. There are certainly some people who richly deserve it. The problem is that humans, even well-meaning ones, make mistakes.
Cops trying to solve a heinous crime will bend rules and stretch truths to nail a person they "know" committed the crime. The problem is that sometimes they're wrong. At least if someone is locked up for life without parole, errors can be reversed. Yes, the person has lost years, probably was quite traumatized, but he/she can recapture some of that lost life.
On the other hand, the death penalty brings us situations like this*: Executed man may have been innocent
*Brought to you by the State that loves executing people, Texas. Such a surprise!
7 comments:
Maybe it's just because I'm not afraid of dying, but to me life in prison sounds like the much harsher punishment. There are so many reasons to oppose the death penalty; studies show it doesn't deter crime, and all this Dr. Phil nonsense about "closure" is really a polite way of saying "revenge," and that's not something the government should be involved in. The death penalty is disproportionately applied to minorities and we've put to death people who've been found innocent after it was too late. I also fail to understand how the conservative "sanctity of life" crowd can rail against stem cell research, euthanasia, assisted suicide and abortion yet don't bat an eye over electrocuting mentally retarded minors.
Don't get me started on this. I have only one believe I'm very rigid in, and that it is that the death penalty has no place in civilization. I even think that having a death penalty shows a lack of civilization.
There is so much to say against the death penalty, but the most important one is that it is irreversible, which has no place in justice system based upon evidence.
And @Andy: there is an overwhelming evidence from research into the 'revenge' argument: almost every family member of a victim whose murderer has been killed by the juridical system has not received any closure. Often the effect seems to be the reverse: killing the murderer leaves a lot of frustration which cannot be directed anymore. It does not solve any problem, it does not relief the pain in the long turn.
ok.. I'll shut up now.
I think the DP is also playing God and no more than premeditated murder in order to prove what? Yes, revenge. The only thing I hate about this "life sentence" jazz, though, is that sometimes murderers get OUT...good behavior?
Our carpetbagging Mormon Governor Romney here in Massachusetts just suffered a humiliating defeat when his proposed gala return of the death penalty bill was defeated 100 to 52 in the Mass legislature. People are beginning to catch on that we've been executing a lot of innocent people over the years.
I also hear that putting someone on death row is more expensive than giving them life in prison - the cost of a retrial and them not being able to work when they're dead and such.
Just another reason against. ;)
I'm from Illinois, and the death penalty is always a topic of discussion there. It ranges from "Let 'em fry" to "Only God can take a life." So it's nice to hear some cool headed views here.
As for my view, by the time the death sentences are handed down, it's usually after a series of other morally questionable actions, particularly in my state where race often plays a role. The death penalty is just one piece of a larger, horribly screwed up puzzle.
Although I do remember one criminal, convicted for repeated sex crimes (rape I think), from the early 1990's. He knew he would never stop committing those crimes, and preferred death to life in prison. So the morality question takes a whole new twist. The compassionate thing in that case would have been to grant the guy's request - but compassionate is not generally what the death penalty is about.
Great discussion.
I too believe that no one, ever, ever has the right to take a life. I think it was best said in "Fiddler on the Roof" (yes I am that gay) and I will paraphrase, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth will leave everyone blind and toothless.
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