OK, Charlie, this one's for you.
So, they missed this dude's veins and he got some burn marks before they finally got it right and executed him. Now everybody is in an uproar because "oh, poor murderer might have suffered some pain while we KILLED him!" Come on, people!!! I get so fucking frustrated with the idiocy of the American people sometimes. Or maybe it's just the criminal justice system. If we've going to HAVE a death penalty, can't we have it without all the hypocrisy?! I mean, c'mon, we're executing people as PUNISHMENT. Punishment is supposed to hurt!! We're not putting our beloved pets to sleep as a humane thing when they're ill or in pain; why are we acting like that's what we're supposed to be doing with these criminals???? I don't think anyone could argue that we're executing criminals to REHABILITATE them. So, what's the theory behind it all? What are we trying to accomplish with the death penalty, really? We already know that it doesn't work as a deterrant. It might if we carried it out more swiftly, more surely. But now, any criminal out there knows that he's got a 1,000 to one chance that he'll ever get caught, get convicted, get the death penalty, or have it actually carried out. The threat is waaaayyy too remote. It seems unreal. Of course it's not going to function as a deterrant.
So what's left? Punishment. And, secondarily, to protect the innocent public. If we were honest with ourselves, we'd admit that punishment is a good part of what drives our system. Protecting the public is a reasonable goal, too. Some people can NEVER be trusted to go out into the world again. Like Bundy. Or Dahmer (sp?) Should we keep them alive in prison for the rest of their lives? Maybe that's a worse punishment for them, actually. Especially if you believe that the afterlife is real nice. But what about the poor other folks in the prison - like the less violent inmates, or most importantly, the people who have to work there and guard them? Aren't their lives important? Isn't their safety important? What about the criminals who escape?
Anyway, I get pissed at the jerks who worry about how much PAIN or SUFFERING or how LONG it takes the condemned person to die. Helloo??!!! We're KILLING them. We're killing them as PUNISHMENT for heinous crimes they committed!! It's SUPPOSED to hurt, for Christ's sake. How long, how painful, how terrifying were the deaths of their victims?? If we're killing them, why in HELL are we worried about the murderer's COMFORT while we take them out??!!! C'mon, have you heard of anything more ridiculous in your life???!!!
If we're so conflicted about inflicting the death penalty, then we ought to just do away with it. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing - other countries seem to do ok without it (granted they might not be as naturally violent as we are). But, having the death penalty, then acting like squeamish little buttholes when we enforce it, makes us idiots in my book. If we can't stand by what we say we believe in, maybe it's time we took another look at our beliefs and who we are.
7 comments:
Well, my beloved wife (Rose) and I agree on the death penalty, in principle. Really, I'd have zero problem with the death penalty, if there was absolute certainty that we were never wrong. But with the mnay excultpated by DNA evidence- proven innocent... some after they were executed- well, that gives me pause and sets me against it.
Of course, there are some murders where the evidence is piled so high there is really no arguing... but if we have it, unfortunately, it also gets applied to cases where the evidence is not necessarily so black and white, and where mistakes can be made. We cannot just let them go after we've killed them!
Of course, the numbers are, more likely than not, rather low of those that are innocent, but I bet the family of the person proven innocent with DNA evidence post execution does not care!
And, yes- some would argue- now that we have DNA "what are the chances those errors will be made again?" Probably less. But, years ago, we did not have DNA science. Who are we to know whether there is another, more accurate science around the corner that could prove innocence.
Yes- without error- death penalty- fine! But the system is run by humans, humans are the witnesses, humans evaluate scientific results, and humans make mistakes. I would not be ready to sacrifice my innocent child (hypothetically speaking, of course) to the system just to make sure the other 100, or even 1000 get their due. I do not think anyone would.
BUT- that argument goes to whether I am pro or against the death penalty. Not as to the HOW of it. On the HOW, I agree with Rose. If we are not going to get rid of it, then we should make it happen fast enough that the sentence itself does not guarantee 20 more years of life- which is hardly a deterrent, and in such a manner as to make people think twice (of course, that presumes that the sick bastards who commit death penalty crimes have the ability to think twice...).
I think the Iraqis have it right, one appeal, if it fails execution within 30 days, hang by the neck until dead. Way to go Rose, you got this right.
PS: I just do not give a damn who taunted the Butcher from Bagdad, for God’s sake, if you are going to kill him let him walk up and look at the noose.
yeah and like the meloncutter said, he was "well hung"!!! bee
It’s a new day, do I have to give you another assignment............
I'm with you on the death penalty.
They should just be glad I'm not in charge of our prison system == if you're convicted of murder, then you must die in the same manner that your victim did. That's what I'd do.
So you chopped off someone's head with a butter knife? Wait right here, while I find the silverware drawer.
Shook your baby? Your brains will be scrambled by the time I'm done shaking you.
Aren't you glad I'm not in charge? Or an evil dictator?
Perhaps the death penalty would actually BE a deterrent if it hurt like hell. After all most of the folks who get it do not care one rats ass about life and human dignity anyway, and they certainly dont care if you get em high one more time by an overdose of anesthesia
Well, hello, Thunk-it!! Good to hear from you. I totally agree with your assessment. Mine is not a popular opinion in my line of work.
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