Are you in favor of the death penalty?

[TheFarseer]

Just in principle. Let's say it was not racially biased and all evidence that could clear the accused has been entered into the decision.

[Wickerman]

1. the best argument against the death penalty is economics

Its much cheaper to house someone for life than to fight all the appeals - and not granting the appeals gives up any hint of fairness.

Of course, I am totally non-death penalty anyway, but I do like to use the economic argument.

[Mythsaje]

2. I don't accept the caveat

I oppose the death penalty--considering the current state of our justice system. Period. If I believed real justice was possible, I might not.

[jaxx]

3. Too many mistakes made in putting people away for crimes they

didn't commit. If they're guilty, losing freedom for life is worse than death.

[thecai]

23. Over 20,000 Innocent are Wrongfully Convicted Each Year in the U.S.

The C A I - Coalition Against Injustice STRONGLY OPPOSES the death-penalty.
Our "Justice System" does not work because it is all about MONEY, rather than JUSTICE.
Gvts. prosper from the prison-industry.

[Massacure]

4. Some people deserve to die, but why spend extra tax money to do it?

[HomerRamone]

5. Only for TREASON ~(_8^(|) nt

[Chan790]

7. That's my opinion as well.

Treason - Yes
Murder, Aggravated Rape, Horse Theft - NO

[jonolover]

24. I think I agree with you.

n/t

[The Traveler]

6. Yes ... but with serious caveats

Guilt must be certain. Beyond ANY doubt, not just a reasonable shadow thereof. The crime must be heinous and without extenuating circumstance.

[AX10]

8. No!

The rest of the western world has left capital punishment behind. Por Autre Vie (For the Life) sentences would be my choice. This means that the person cannot get out of jail for as long as they live.

[cleanheart.396]

9. Death Penalty

   I am against the Death Penalty because it doesn't get at
the problem,and it is very hypocritical. We condone every
philosophy that maintains that some people are better than
others. We show people everyday that you can cheat, lie, and
steal, and be successful. Most of all, we show them a world
where some people, whose ancestors were the biggest
warmongers, cheaters, and liars, are privileged and could die
400 times and still be rich in every life.
   We never deal with the pain that comes from these age-old
traditions of alienation. We never get at the fact that the
same kid, man, or woman, that kills, is a kid, man, or woman
that we've ignored as we seek the "American Dream."
We never fight to stop rapes, and the wholesale exploitation
that takes place in the prisons, and officers of the law use
what goes on as a way to scare people into telling them what
they want to know. Why is all this OK? Because someone robbed
and killed someone else? If that's the case, why aren't we
angry at the Real estate companies  who charge us 3 times what
a house is worth? Why aren't we mad at a system that will put
a family in the street if they have lost their money through
lay-offs, unemployment, illness, etc., even after that family
has followed all the "rules" for
"success?"I think its because we worship control.
I'm not talking about power. Power has to do with something
fine that grows from the inside-out. Control is what the
sharks, and lions do to prey that is physically weaker than
them, yet these are the animals we say we should respect;
never the Impalas, or weaker animals they kill.
   My point is that we worship "Might" no matter
what we say.  We like prize fighters, football players, and
any animal that has the strength to frighten and kill. Why are
we surprised when one of our own human fellows does the same?
Especially in a society that has no clue as to what real power
and respect is. 
   As long as we are not as fascinated with the Impala as we
are the Lion, we are  just as savage as they are, and aren't
in any position to even begin to judge someone else.

[newyawker99]

15. Hi cleanheart.396!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[auntAgonist]

18. welcome to DU !

[spooky123]

10. death penalty no

i am against it. you can not prove your innocence. i wonder how many innocent people have been executed.

[Che_Nuevara]

19. roughly 1 in 8 death row inmates is exonerated (n/t)

[Vietnam68]

11. They never learn

It seems to be a cycle:
- They enact a death penalty and start executions
- Somebody executed is later proven innocent
- They repeal the death penalty
- Time goes by
- They enact...

It's happened enough times already, various places, over the past couple of centuries.

[Odin2005]

12. The death penalty is nothing but...

barbaric vengence, plain and simple. It has no place in a modern civilized society.

[zonmoy]

22. i absolutely agree

the death penalty is an atrocity and an abomination.

[mainegreen]

13. No. I disagree with the entire priciple of our penal system.

Punishment is pointless. It does not fix the crime, and other than for minor crimes that result in week or month long lockups, really won't teach the offender much of anything. Our current penal system seems to be geared to making major offenders meaner and endangering prison employees.

For major offenders I'd much rather see a system designed to break down the offenders and re-mold them into something more suitable to society, basically killing the criminal, without killing the man.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[newyawker99]

16. NO to the death penalty!

:thumbsdown:

[auntAgonist]

17. state sanctioned murder is wrong.

Life in prison should MEAN life in prison.

no death penalty.


aA

[freestyle]

20. Absolutely not. It makes us a nation of murderers.

The State of Maryland murdered a man two days ago. That won't bring back his victim, but it drags us all down a bit.

[aikoaiko]

21. I am mostly against it, but it helps with plea bargains (so I hear)

When a criminal is apprehended with modest evidence against him or her, the prosecutor may try to arrange a plea bargain by recommending life without parole. Its a good deal if you know you did it, they have some evidence against you, and you might get the death penalty.

But if life without parole is the harshest sentence possible, then prosecutors are only left with offering life WITH the possibility of parole. In this way, no death penalty can lead to more murderers getting out of jail. At least thats an argument I've heard for the dealth penalty.

I'd really like to see some statistics on how often death penalty cases are plead out to life without parole. Anyone know where to look?