Capital Punishment

[Neptunebaby]

Let me just preface this post with the following:

***Please read what I am asking for before posting a response/opinion/viewpoint. Also.. very important.. write your own thoughts about this, not everyone else's. If you don't care to publicly share this information, feel free to PM me. This information will only be used for research for a paper I am writing and time is very limited. Thank you!***

The paper I am writing is about capital punishment. (again, please don't go straight to the bottom and hit "add reply" before reading what follows). What I need is your response regarding these four questions:

1. Are you for or against capital punishment ? (obviously)

2. Why?

3. If capital punishment doesn't deter crime and violence, what will? In other words, if you feel that you have ideas that provide a better way of deterring crime, please share them in your response.

4. Do you think there is a connection between the death penalty and racism?

I am not using anyone's identity, direct comments, etc in my paper. I am simply doing this for research to get an idea of what my peers opinions are of this topic - as my professor is instructing me to do. What better place to do that than on the DGN?

Thanks, in advance, for any assistance you can provide. :grin

[Jarodaka]

1. Are you for or against capital punishment ? (obviously)

Against.

2. Why?

I don't trust the U.S. court system (let alone any other country's) to execute only guilty people.

3. If capital punishment doesn't deter crime and violence, what will?

Freedom. Most obvious example is to legalize 'bad' drugs. That is, if pop (soda for those on the coast, Coke for thsoe in the South) were illegal we'd have drive-by's for Faygo and people in prison for drinking Mountain Dew. Besides, isn't this question only in relation to capital crimes? Are you jumping from 'deterring capital crimes' to 'deterring crime in general?' I imagine your intention isn't to ask, "is shoplifting deterred (or not) by the threat of the death penalty?"

I also object to how this question is phrased. It's like asking, "if beating up your wife doesn't shut her up, what will?"

4. Do you think there is a connection between the death penalty and racism?

No, at best there is a correlation.

[Neptunebaby]

I appreciate your response and yes, the question refers to capital crime, obviously, since the topic here is capital punishment. Also, I didn't phrase the question that you are objecting to. It came from my professor.

And, just to clarify.. let me add that the purpose of that particular question is to explore other solutions to the problem of crime. In other words, if you feel that you have ideas that provide a better way of discouraging crime, please share them. It wasn't meant in the way you are perceiving it.

I hope that clarifies things. and just to make sure I will edit my original question.

Thanks again.

[TomCat]

I am ALL FOR capital punishment.

"Normal" people don't hurt & kill others. Sick, defective people do.

Return their rotting carcasses to their maker.

That's all I am going to say for right now.

[Neptunebaby]

I am ALL FOR capital punishment.

"Normal" people don't hurt & kill others.  Sick, defective people do.

Return their rotting carcasses to their maker. 

That's all I am going to say for right now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just out of curiosity.. for research sake only .. is your view supported at all by your religious belief/non-belief? I only ask because of your comment about returning their rotting carcasses to their maker. Also, I am trying to decide if I want to take a religious approach to this in my paper.

Don't answer my question if you don't feel comfortable with it. I just had to throw it out there.

[Guest Megalicious]

First answer: against.

Second answer: because i believe killing people is wrong PERIOD! The court system is so fucked up just look at all the people that have been let out of Prison (after being in there for SO MANY YEARS) because of DNA testing. It makes you really think OK how many ppl that have been inocent and have BEEN MURDER by our goverment???? SOMEBODY HUSBAND, FATHER, SON ect was MURDER for not good reason. Without wrong doing, now that just makes me sick to my stomach with just the thought of it.

third answer: I think life in prison is enough, I mean if i was in prison for a LIFE SENTENCE I would be begging someone to fucking kill me.

forth answer: no i do not .. now the judical system as a whole .. thats another story ...

watch the life of david gale ...... it will explain alot of what I think of capital punishment .....

[Dollardave]

I did a term paper when I was in college on this. There were executions carried out that turned out to be the wrong person. So, for that reason only I'm against.

[Guest Game of Chance]

Just out of curiosity.. for research sake only ..  is your view supported at all by your religious belief/non-belief?  I only ask because of your comment about returning their rotting carcasses to their maker. Also, I am trying to decide if I want to take a religious approach to this in my paper.

Don't answer my question if you don't feel comfortable with it. I just had to throw it out there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow...what a great controversial ethical concept to write a paper on...makes me wish I wasn't good at talking to people and didn't get a good job solely on natural born talent. In other words, I wouldn't mind taking that class. I think both sides could be argued equally. I do think the religious approach might be interesting just to incorporate the belief system of the author into the paper. I'd be interested in reading the finished version.

[Neptunebaby]

Wow...what a great controversial ethical concept to write a paper on...makes me wish I wasn't good at talking to people and didn't get a good job solely on natural born talent.  In other words, I wouldn't mind taking that class.  I think both sides could be argued equally.  I do think the religious approach might be interesting just to incorporate the belief system of the author into the paper.  I'd be interested in reading the finished version.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's a good idea Chance! I will definitely post my paper here when it is finished.

[Guest Game of Chance]

That's a good idea Chance! I will definitely post my paper here when it is finished.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not a problem. Looking forward to it.

[Hellion]

:devil I hate child molesters; mass murderer's' rapists; Once the DNA proof is 100% confirmed; note: to prevent an innocent person from being put away. Either put these POS on an Island and blow it up; or send em in a rocket to the sun. Because our tax dollars unfortunately pay for these creeps to stay in prison and get medical care that most of us good goths do not have. I myself do not have any isurance at all.

[capuchin]

With as much time as I've spent doing research in labs, for papers, etc. I'd be happy to respond :grin

1. Are you for or against capital punishment ? (obviously)

against

2. Why?

A few reasons. The scientific reason being that there's a disproportionate amount of false confessions statistically speaking, and as a result a number of false convictions. The zealousness with which suspects are interrogated is often dependent on factors besides guilt. Because of this, I don't think we can decisively say that a guilty conviction=actual guilt in enough of the cases to determine whether or not the state has the right to take a person's life.

The second reason is a moral one: I don't think the state should have that power. It's a slippery slope--once you start giving the right to execute people, how do you know it won't start being implemented in lesser offenses?

The final reason is a personal one: a guy I knew who grew up in my neighborhood (a friend of my brother's) was executed for killing his girlfriend. He was a very psychotic individual with delusions of grandeur. Apparently, the guy was laughing maniacally as he was executed. It's usually the most heinous murderers who receive the death penalty. For some of them, the "glamour" of being executed is much more appealing than life in prison...e.g. in their minds they get to go out "with a bang". Because of this, the death penalty may actually be less of a deterrent than life without parole would be.

3. If capital punishment doesn't deter crime and violence, what will? In other words, if you feel that you have ideas that provide a better way of deterring crime, please share them in your response.

I think this is a broad question with a number of dimensions but as far as the types of violence that capital punishment pertains to, see #2

4. Do you think there is a connection between the death penalty and racism?

No, although I do think that the legal system is very heavily influenced by economics.

[Neptunebaby]

With as much time as I've spent doing research in labs, for papers, etc. I'd be happy to respond  :grin

1. Are you for or against capital punishment ? (obviously)

against

2. Why?

A few reasons. The scientific reason being that there's a disproportionate amount of false confessions statistically speaking, and as a result a number of false convictions. The zealousness with which suspects are interrogated is often dependent on factors besides guilt. Because of this, I don't think we can decisively say that a guilty conviction=actual guilt in enough of the cases to determine whether or not the state has the right to take a person's life.

The second reason is a moral one: I don't think the state should have that power. It's a slippery slope--once you start giving the right to execute people, how do you know it won't start being implemented in lesser offenses?

The final reason is a personal one: a guy I knew who grew up in my neighborhood (a friend of my brother's) was executed for killing his girlfriend. He was a very psychotic individual with delusions of grandeur. Apparently, the guy was laughing maniacally as he was executed. It's usually the most heinous murderers who receive the death penalty. For some of them, the "glamour" of being executed is much more appealing than life in prison...e.g. in their minds they get to go out "with a bang". Because of this, the death penalty may actually be less of a deterrent than life without parole would be.

3. If capital punishment doesn't deter crime and violence, what will? In other words, if you feel that you have ideas that provide a better way of deterring crime, please share them in your response.

I think this is a broad question with a number of dimensions but as far as the types of violence that capital punishment pertains to, see #2

4. Do you think there is a connection between the death penalty and racism?

No, although I do think that the legal system is very heavily influenced by economics.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you for your input. That was great.

[capuchin]

Thank you for your input. That was great.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No problem...what are you doing the research for? (e.g. senior thesis, independent study, class, etc.) I'm curious :grin

[Neptunebaby]

No problem...what are you doing the research for? (e.g. senior thesis, independent study, class, etc.) I'm curious  :grin

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's for a writing class. my professor is a complete asshole. the type of professor that is impossible to please. so wish me luck. :confused

[Guest Megalicious]

Good luck =)

[Goth Brooks]

1. Are you for or against capital punishment ?

For

2. Why?

All actions that violate the law should have consequences that are severe enough to be seen as a deterrant.

3. If capital punishment doesn't deter crime and violence, what will? In other words, if you feel that you have ideas that provide a better way of deterring crime, please share them in your response.

I don't see the current system of "humane" capital punishment as being enough of a deterrant against "capital" crimes. I believe crimes such as rape and murder should be have punishments that are as inhumane as possible.

Why should some Jack the Ripper type get a painless needle in the arm, or indeed life in prison after slicing little kids to pieces? Put him in a blender on national television, let the country hear his screams.. if that does not deter people from committing those crimes, then those people aren't right enough to be alive anyways.

4. Do you think there is a connection between the death penalty and racism?

Not necessarily. I would say there is a connection between the death penalty and the destitute lowest class... of which minorities happen to be in abundance.

[Vater Araignee]

1. Are you for or against capital punishment ? (obviously)

Kill them.

2. Why?

I cant remember the exact dates but in New York on the subway a Gang Banger got shot, the only thing known was he tried to rob a heavy set white male with dark hair in his forties.

This white male turned himself in 4 days later. The FBI noted that the violent crime statistics for the city dropped during those days. Did all the punks decide to leave their guns at home for those day just because? Hell no! They thought that this unknown man might kill them next if they tried to get a couple of Benjamin's and a gold watch and it just was not worth the risk.

When asked about false confessions I say

1. You have the right to remain silent.

2. Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.

3. You have the right to have an attorney present now and during any future questioning.

4. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you free of charge if you wish.

3. If capital punishment doesn't deter crime and violence, what will? In other words, if you feel that you have ideas that provide a better way of deterring crime, please share them in your response.

If it wouldn't deter then creative torture would.

4. Do you think there is a connection between the death penalty and racism?

Fuck no

Maybe to day the numbers are different but I'll bet after 11 years the basic idea still holds true.

When I did my statistical research paper when I was young and fresh out of the getto and trying to use numbers to prove that the death penalty was racists, the numbers showed that the death row ratio was 2.8 minority (ie black hispanic and asian) to 1 white.

Now here is the thing that flipped me out the ratio of whites convicted and sentenced to death 2 non prisoners to 1 prisoner.

The ratio of minorities convicted and sentenced to death 3 prisoners to 1 non prisoners.

But a random sampling of those that entered death row after being imprisoned showed that minorities had a 3% better chance of receiving a stay of execution.

Prof. Green taught me #1. Look at all the numbers in every way possible. #2. Stop hating myself because I was white, it causes just as many problems as being racist.

And for those red neck chicken necks out there that my read this Prof. Green was a PROUD HUMAN and he wasn't white.

[Neptunebaby]

Thank you for your reply!

[kellygrrrrrl]

1: Agains

2: Because "Thou Shall not Kill"

3: Take Texas, put up a giant 1 million volt fence, give them all the guns and crap they want, let them go at eachother and rape eachother and let them fend ofor themselfs. OR make THEM go to war.

4:NO.

[Head Wreck]

POV from the land of abolished capitol punishment:

1. Are you for or against capital punishment ? (obviously)

I am against.

2. Why?

the legal systems in US and espeacially the UK (as we have no written constitution, just a huge library of 1000 years of laws and previous cases to go by) rely on personal opinion of the jury and the judge. Humans are just simply humans. things get missed, people think in differant ways, and ultimatly people make mistakes even in cases of "beyond reasonable doubt". Capitol punishment was abolished here during the 1960's and the last person to be executed was infact later to be found innocent after the real culprit was aprehended for another crime and confessed to that murder. as he was aprehended and sentanced after the abolishment it leaves his total for the original crime as 2 innocent people dead, one by a system that made a simple mistake in interpreting evidence.

I truly belive that those that can be rehabilitated be rehabilitated (and if so needed, monitored in a way that does not interfere with the persons life afterwards) and those who cant be rehabilitated... they pose a problem, but i do not agree on killing them off, what right do we have to take a life (IMHO, none).

3. If capital punishment doesn't deter crime and violence, what will? In other words, if you feel that you have ideas that provide a better way of deterring crime, please share them in your response.

lets just not make our prisons like holiday camps. prisoners withing TH UK look forward to a lot of things that he may/may not be able to afford on the outside. many do see prisons as mainly a resbite (one of the guys that used to hang with my friend was allways in and out of the system, he didnt see it as a deturent, nor a dissruption. this does not mean i want prisoners in stocks or abused.

another thing that seems very wrong within the UK is the short sentances people are recieveing for (good behaviour). it seems you have to have murdered 50 people and the arresting officer to have parole not an option. and in some cases judges often seem to make the sentances up as they feel, peole have been known to serve shorter for manslaughter via wreckless driving than for not paying local government taxes

4. Do you think there is a connection between the death penalty and racism?

no. media portrayal and hiostory in the US perhaps causes it. i've never lived in a time of capitol punnishment to see its effects on such tensions

as said above, i've never experienced the threat of capitol punnishment to know how it effects people. and in my personal view and beliefs, death really isnt a detural, lack of personal honour and reputation nis to me though. though some may feel the oposite

[Paper Hearts]

* I am against capital Punishment.

*-Capital Punishment is not effective, states that allow capital punishment have the highest murder rates in the country. -Capital punishment costs us more than jailing someone for life. -our penal/justice systems are not perfect, many people are incorrectly imprisoned and or put to death by unsound reasoning (ex: Alberto Gonzales never once reccomended that a case should be looked into further, even given extenuating circumstances that might have absolved someone from any wrong doing what so ever, once that person had already been put on death-row, only suggested to the then governor Geroge W. Bush that death-penalty procedure should go forward without question. -People like Gonzales kiss ass for a living and he's kissed Bush's ass all the way from the Texas Supreme Court to the White House.). -The goal of the penal system is reform, not revenge. -America leads the world in the execution of minors and that is a violation of international law set forth by the United Nations. We are at war with Iraq because they violated a UN order, right, oh, but i forgot, we had to go against a UN order to have that war, didn't we? -Our goal should be to become a civilized people.

*Most often people murder for economic reasons. Less poverty equals less crime.

*I believe that there is a connection between capital punishment and racism, afterall most people killed by this method are blacks and being that blacks are not even 1/4 of our population, it's a little strange.

[Scary Guy]

1. Are you for or against capital punishment ? (obviously)

For

2. Why?

Some people just really need to die for what they've done.

3. If capital punishment doesn't deter crime and violence, what will? In other words, if you feel that you have ideas that provide a better way of deterring crime, please share them in your response.

Proper education and mental screening before hand. Fix the problem before it even exists. But it should in no way infringe on that individuals rights.

4. Do you think there is a connection between the death penalty and racism?

Not if it's a fair trial. Color of skin should be a non issue, but the background of the individual should. Color of skin and area of living often go hand in hand. Thus inner city "urban" people are usually african americans. In that respect it is possible. Oh yeah and in the south.

[Jarodaka]

Some article that seemed somewhat relevant to the topic.

[pixiefae]

. Are you for or against capital punishment ? (obviously)

For capital punishment.

2. Why?

More economical. And I don't believe anyone serving life sentences should have access to free schooling, nor should the legal system be bogged down with numerous appeals. There should be a maximum limit set at 3.

3. If capital punishment doesn't deter crime and violence, what will? In other words, if you feel that you have ideas that provide a better way of deterring crime, please share them in your response.

Personally, I think capital punishment should fit the crime. If a person is a habitual offender, then no appeals. (http://www.carpenoctem.tv/killers/fish.html)

I also feel that given enough evidence (DNA, witnesses,etc) that a person forfeits their society rights when commiting serious crimes.

4. Do you think there is a connection between the death penalty and racism?

No. Statistics for 2003 show that executions in the USA:

-- 41 were white

-- 20 were black

-- 3 were Hispanic (all white)

-- 1 American Indian

Of persons under sentence of death in 2003:

-- 1,878 were white

-- 1,418 were black

-- 29 were American Indian

-- 35 were Asian

-- 14 were of unknown race.

Other interesting statistics for 2003:

nearly 2 in 3 had a prior felony conviction

-- about 1 in 12 had a prior homicide conviction.