After reading some of the responses in the Jessica Lunsford thread I am wondering, do you believe in the death penalty? Why or why not?

Yes, I fully believe in the death penalty. Some crimes are unforgivable. Dont go out and murder 21 people or rape 10 women if you dont want to fry for it.

I do believe in the death penalty. I think that when the crime warrants it, it should definitely be an option. I think another case where this is prevalent is one that has been on our local news lately about a mother who was 9 months pregnant and killed by her estranged boyfriend in front of her toddler aged son who was able to tell the police, "Mommy was crying" and "Mommy is in the rug". The man who is being tried for the murder is eligible for the death penalty. I firmly believe that with something like, that man is not going to be able to be rehabilitated into society and to put him in prison for the rest of his life is making him a burden on the state as far as costs to keep him there.

Yes, I fully believe in the death penalty. Some crimes are unforgivable. Dont go out and murder 21 people or rape 10 women if you dont want to fry for it.

agree

I think death is too easy.

No I don't believe in the death penalty! Killing people to punish them for a crime does not always make them sorry for their crimes. Most of them are only sorry they are being killed, not sorry for the hell they put someone else through.

I don't get how violence solves violence?! I think suffering in prison for the rest of your awful life is far more effective then ending the criminals life.

I think death is too easy.

You & I think a lot alike! :)

I agree with the death penalty

I believe in the death penalty. If a person kills someone they should get that done to them. Eye for an eye type of thing. If the person rapes another human that person deserves the same fate.

No I don't believe in the death penalty! Killing people to punish them for a crime does not always make them sorry for their crimes. Most of them are only sorry they are being killed, not sorry for the hell they put someone else through.

I don't get how violence solves violence?! I think suffering in prison for the rest of your awful life is far more effective then ending the criminals life.
Why shoud we as tax payer have to pay for them to eat and be housed? Not fair, I dont want to pay for the comforts of prison for someone of that nature.

It isnt the public's obligation to pay for a convicted rapist and murder to eat, sleep, drink, and play basketball.

I for one, dont want to out my money to pay for someone elses crimes. Its obseen to me to do that. Give them the death penalty and be done with it.

No I don't believe in the death penalty! Killing people to punish them for a crime does not always make them sorry for their crimes. Most of them are only sorry they are being killed, not sorry for the hell they put someone else through.

And the people who deserve the death penalty, wouldn't be sorry for what they did whether they're in jail or they're dead. IMO.

Yes, I fully believe in the death penalty. Some crimes are unforgivable. Dont go out and murder 21 people or rape 10 women if you dont want to fry for it.

ITA :yes

Why shoud we as tax payer have to pay for them to eat and be housed? Not fair, I dont want to pay for the comforts of prison for someone of that nature.

It isnt the public's obligation to pay for a convicted rapist and murder to eat, sleep, drink, and play basketball.

I for one, dont want to out my money to pay for someone elses crimes. Its obseen to me to do that. Give them the death penalty and be done with it.

To me it's not even about the tax dollars. It's about the fact that no matter how long someone sits in jail, I don't believe they are ever really remorseful. There is a sickness, that can NOT be cured in someone that is capable of rape, murder, etc.... Whethter that person claims drug/alcohol abuse (sickness) or mental retardation (sickness). The level it too far to be righted. So, I do believe in the death penalty. In a perfect world what Aaron said would be the punishment, an eye for an eye.

I think death is too easy.
I agree.

To me it's not even about the tax dollars. It's about the fact that no matter how long someone sits in jail, I don't believe they are ever really remorseful. There is a sickness, that can NOT be cured in someone that is capable of rape, murder, etc.... Whethter that person claims drug/alcohol abuse (sickness) or mental retardation (sickness). The level it too far to be righted. So, I do believe in the death penalty. In a perfect world what Aaron said would be the punishment, an eye for an eye.
ITA :yes

A person who is sitting in prison for his acts, IMO, will never fully be sorry for what they did, just sorry they got caught. For the most part anyway.

I have a feeling this one is going to be heated!!!

I am absolutely against the death penalty. I think that executing someone does not hold them responsible for their crimes. It gives them an easy out. No sitting in jail for the rest of their natural lives with all of their freedoms taken away. No having to face other prisoners in the prison yard. No time to sit and think about their crimes and know that they are locked in a little box because of what they did. Easy way out.

I also believe that killing people who commit heinous crimes does society a disservice. Why execute these people instead of studying them in an effort to better understand why they did what they did? Why kill them instead of run medical tests on them to see if there is a biological basis for homicidal behavior? Why not use the rest of their lives to run psychological tests on them and use that information to pin point people at risk for committing those kind of crimes and give them the help they need before it comes to murder?

I don't buy the argument that people support the death penalty so that murderers can't waste tax payer money sitting in jail enjoying the good life. First of all, it costs more to sentence someone to death than it does life in prison. There are MANY studies that prove that. Second of all, prison is not the cushy place people seem to think it is. They sit in their cells doing NOTHING for an average of 23 hours a day. They aren't sitting around a TV and hanging out outside all the time. LOL. I also don't buy the argument that the death penalty is a good deterrant. States which have the death penalty have higher murder rates than those without.

Most of all, I just have a real moral issue with execution. I want MY government to be above killing people, even if they "deserve" it. I do not want my government to tell people not to take human life, and then use killing as a form of punishment for taking human life. It seems very hypocritical to me. I think that emotion needs to be separated from the rule of law. It shouldn't be a matter of making them pay, it should be a matter of doing what is right even when punishing those who did not. ESPECIALLY when punishing those who did not. Otherwise what makes the punisher any better than the one being punished?

We are one of two industrialized first world countries that still allow the death penalty. Japan, a nation that we basically built after WWII is the other. The list of other countries that allow the death penalty include countries like China, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Uganda, and North & South Korea. NOT the company I want the United States to be in. When I hear people promote an eye for an eye philosophy, calling for people to be brutally tortured for committing crimes, it reminds me of the Taliban. Stoning people to death for walking together on the street. Cutting off people's hands for stealing. I am proud that we have a more civilized rule of law than that, and I wish that we would abolish the uncivilized practice of killing as punishment, too.

I think death is too easy.

totally agree.

I have a feeling this one is going to be heated!!!

I am absolutely against the death penalty. I think that executing someone does not hold them responsible for their crimes. It gives them an easy out. No sitting in jail for the rest of their natural lives with all of their freedoms taken away. No having to face other prisoners in the prison yard. No time to sit and think about their crimes and know that they are locked in a little box because of what they did. Easy way out.

I also believe that killing people who commit heinous crimes does society a disservice. Why execute these people instead of studying them in an effort to better understand why they did what they did? Why kill them instead of run medical tests on them to see if there is a biological basis for homicidal behavior? Why not use the rest of their lives to run psychological tests on them and use that information to pin point people at risk for committing those kind of crimes and give them the help they need before it comes to murder?

I don't buy the argument that people support the death penalty so that murderers can't waste tax payer money sitting in jail enjoying the good life. First of all, it costs more to sentence someone to death than it does life in prison. There are MANY studies that prove that. Second of all, prison is not the cushy place people seem to think it is. They sit in their cells doing NOTHING for an average of 23 hours a day. They aren't sitting around a TV and hanging out outside all the time. LOL. I also don't buy the argument that the death penalty is a good deterrant. States which have the death penalty have higher murder rates than those without.

Most of all, I just have a real moral issue with execution. I want MY government to be above killing people, even if they "deserve" it. I do not want my government to tell people not to take human life, and then use killing as a form of punishment for taking human life. It seems very hypocritical to me. I think that emotion needs to be separated from the rule of law. It shouldn't be a matter of making them pay, it should be a matter of doing what is right even when punishing those who did not. Otherwise what makes the punisher any better than the one being punished?

We are one of two industrialized first world countries that still allow the death penalty. Japan, a nation that we basically built after WWII is the other. The list of other countries that allow the death penalty include countries like China, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Uganda, and North & South Korea. NOT the company I want the United States to be in. When I hear people promote an eye for an eye philosophy, calling for people to be brutally tortured for committing crimes, it reminds me of the Taliban. Stoning people to death for walking together on the street. Cutting off people's hands for stealing. I am proud that we have a more civilized rule of law than that, and I wish that we would abolish the uncivilized practice of killing as punishment, too.

:yes

Personally, I think convicted murders and rapists should be turned over to the families of their victims. Let the family do it's own justice because they are the ones that have to live with the consequences of the convict's actions. If they die in the families hands, so be it. Murders and rapists can't be "rehabilitated"-it's something inate in them that you can't change-you can't make a gay man straight. And yes, prision isn't a cake walk, but they still get to socialize, eat 3 meals a day, exercise, and even see their families and friends. Meanwhile, the person that they bruitally murdered doesn't get those luxries. I say after the verdict comes in, take them outside to the firing squad-one less piece of scum on the earth and the world is a safer place IMO

I have some mixed feelings. The death penalty is a tough issue because there are SO many factors to take into perspective...

I agree with Tiff about what she said... don't do the crime if you don't wanna suffer the consequences....

And I also understand where Wicked is coming from.... I used to feel that way.

I don't think the death penalty is intended to make the criminal feel remorseful. I think it's intended to take care of a problem that more than likely cannot be fixed. In fact, in Jessica's case... I don't think he even deserves a chance to be fixed. Jessica sure as hell didn't get another chance. I don't think all killers are mentally ill... I think some are just selfish and wrapped up in their own fucked up dellusional ideologies.

I also don't think that I, a law-abiding citizen, should have to send my tax money to house these fuckers when there's other GOOD PEOPLE who can't even afford to feed their freaking families... law-abiding people who live in below-standard living conditions, who are struggling day-to-day just to survive. Prison might not be a pretty place, but at least it's a roof over their head... with a guarantee of hot meals.

I think that if someone is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.... unless they seriously are mentally ill and it can be PROVEN with a solid history trail..... the fucker knows better and deserves to fry.

The guy in Jessica's case KNEW BETTER. He gave up every basic human right he had the moment he abducted and murdered that sweet little girl. Should he fry for it? Hell yes... keep the fucker off the streets. And let Jessica's family rest easier knowing that he'll never have the opportunity to fuck up another family's life the way he so royally fucked up theirs.

I think our "punishment" is a joke. We have increasingly high rates of violent crime. It's obvious that the death penalty does not keep people from doing these things. If you knew you were going to be tortured for the rest of your life, not sitting peacefully in a jail cell trying to find cigarettes and God and waiting to see the latest movies on HBO in the community room, I think you'd think twice before doing something like that. Jail AND the death penalty just aren't enough in my opinion.

This is more like it:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio
Arpaio believes that inmates should be treated as harshly as legally possible to emphasize the punishment aspect of their incarceration. Thus, upon his initial election Arpaio began instituting the controversial changes for which he would later become noted.

Arpaio began to serve inmates surplus food (mainly outdated and oxidized green bologna)[1] and limited meals to twice daily. Meal costs would be reduced to 90 cents per day; as of 2007 Arpaio states that he has managed to reduce costs to 30 cents per day. Certain food items were banned from the county jail, mainly coffee (which also reduced 'coffee attacks' on guards), but later salt and pepper were removed from the jail (at a purported taxpayer savings of $20,000/year).

Arpaio banned smoking in the county jail. He also removed pornographic magazines (the ban was later upheld in court) and weightlifting equipment. Entertainment was limited to G-rated movies; the cable TV system (mandated by court order) was severely blocked by Arpaio to limit viewing to those stations Arpaio deems to be "educational", mainly Animal Planet, Disney Channel, The Weather Channel, A&E, CNN, and the local government access channel.

Arpaio also instituted a program for inmates to study while in jail and to try to recover from drug abuse. Hard Knocks High states to be the only approved high school program in any American jail. Another jail program, called ALPHA, is aimed solely at getting inmates away from drug abuse.

In October 2005, Arpaio started mandatory 2-week English classes for non-English-speaking inmates at his jails. Classes last 2 hours a day. The curriculum comprises the three branches of government, how a bill becomes law, state government, law enforcement and court services, and jailhouse "situational" terminology. At the end of the 2-week course, inmates are required to take a test to see how well they have learned about American government, the words to God Bless America, and the communication of health and safety needs. In response to critics, Arpaio responsed, "These inmates happen to be incarcerated in the United States of America and in Maricopa County where I run the jails, we speak English here, not foreign languages."

In February 2007, Arpaio instituted an in-house radio station, KJOE, which broadcasts classical music, opera, Frank Sinatra hits, obscenity-free patriotic music, and educational programming, from the basement of the county jail. The station airs four hours each day, five days a week. Future plans are to institute "Inmate Idol", a takeoff on the popular TV show.

Chain Gangs

Shortly after taking office, Arpaio reinstituted chain gangs, the controversial form of inmate labor which had been virtually eliminated in the United States.

Arpaio believes that chain gangs are not a form of punishment, but instead of rehabilitation. Inmates who are low-risk but with a history of jail incidents can apply to serve as free labor. Inmates work eight-hours a day, six days a week (Sundays off), mainly outside. The inmates wear traditional black-and-white striped uniforms (see below for more details) with a cap to protect against the desert heat. Inmates perform such tasks as creating fire breaks, removing trash, and burying indigent persons in the county cemetery.

Arpaio would expand the chain gang concept by instituting the world's first female chain gang. Female inmates work seven hours a day (7 AM to 2 PM), six days a week.

Arpaio has expanded the concept even further, instituting the world's first all-juvenile chain gang.

Think Pink

One of Arpaio's most noted changes was the introduction of pink underwear. Arpaio noted that the traditional white underwear, labeled with Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, was being smuggled out of the jails and sold on the streets. Arpaio thus had the underwear dyed pink, believing that pink is not considered a "macho" color, and would not be stolen. Once the public learned of the change, requests came in for orders, and Arpaio began selling customized pink boxers (with the Maricopa County Sheriff's logo and "Go Joe") as a fund-raiser for sheriff's operations.

Arpaio subsequently introduced pink handcuffs among sheriff's deputies, who were taking the traditional silver-colored ones [1]. Later, when Arpaio learned that the color pink has a known psychological calming effect, he began dyeing sheets, socks, towels, and all other fabric items in pink.

The outer uniform is not pink, but traditional black-and-white. This was part of another Arpaio-instituted change. One day, Arpaio thought he saw an inmate escapee in the then-existing sea-green inmate uniform outside the jail (it turned out to be a hospital worker in scrubs). Later, he noted that the orange uniforms of the chain gangs were similar to uniforms used by county workers (the orange being needed for safety). Believing that inmates should be easily identifiable should they escape, Arpaio re-instituted the traditional black-and-white inmate uniforms, which even with the advent of everything else being pink has not changed.

Tent City

The most noted, and controversial, of Arpaio's ideas was the set-up of "Tent City" as an extension of the Maricopa County Jail (coordinates: [show location on an interactive map] 33°25′40.09″N, 112°07′26.61″W).

When Arpaio took office, inmates were routinely being released early due to overcrowding. Arpaio believed that "courts, not head count" should determine when an inmate is released, and that no officer should be deterred from making an arrest for fear that the inmate would be released due to jail overcrowding.

However, a new jail would have cost Maricopa County taxpayers around US$70 million. So instead, Arpaio obtained used tents from the military, and established Tent City in a parking lot adjacent to one of the jail facilities, for a reported cost (mainly cement pads, fencing, and cooling fans) of around US$100,000. As an announcement to future inmates that they should not expect early release upon overcrowding, but more tents instead, Arpaio added a (pink neon) "Vacancy" sign to the outside of Tent City. The original sign was destroyed in an inmate riot, but was quickly replaced at an estimated cost of US$500. A second Tent City was opened in 1996 adjacent to another jail facility, and houses female inmates.

During the summer of 2003, when outside temperatures exceeded 110 degrees Fahrenheit (higher than average, even for scorching hot Phoenix) Arpaio said to complaining inmates, "It's 120 degrees in Iraq and the soldiers are living in tents and they didn't commit any crimes, so shut your mouths" [2]. Inmates were given permission to wear only their pink underwear.

Tent City has been criticized by groups contending these are violations of human and constitutional rights, and simultaneously praised by those favoring Arpaio's "get tough on crime" approach.

In response to requests, the Sheriff's office offers group tours of its unique and controversial Tent City. In addition, Arpaio has instituted "S.M.A.R.T." Tents (Shocking Mainstream Adolescents into Resisting Temptation), a voluntary program for middle-school students who are bussed to an area adjacent to Tent City and, for the next 24 hours, are shown the reality of jail life.

I have a feeling this one is going to be heated!!!

I am absolutely against the death penalty. I think that executing someone does not hold them responsible for their crimes. It gives them an easy out. No sitting in jail for the rest of their natural lives with all of their freedoms taken away. No having to face other prisoners in the prison yard. No time to sit and think about their crimes and know that they are locked in a little box because of what they did. Easy way out.

I also believe that killing people who commit heinous crimes does society a disservice. Why execute these people instead of studying them in an effort to better understand why they did what they did? Why kill them instead of run medical tests on them to see if there is a biological basis for homicidal behavior? Why not use the rest of their lives to run psychological tests on them and use that information to pin point people at risk for committing those kind of crimes and give them the help they need before it comes to murder?

I don't buy the argument that people support the death penalty so that murderers can't waste tax payer money sitting in jail enjoying the good life. First of all, it costs more to sentence someone to death than it does life in prison. There are MANY studies that prove that. Second of all, prison is not the cushy place people seem to think it is. They sit in their cells doing NOTHING for an average of 23 hours a day. They aren't sitting around a TV and hanging out outside all the time. LOL. I also don't buy the argument that the death penalty is a good deterrant. States which have the death penalty have higher murder rates than those without.

Most of all, I just have a real moral issue with execution. I want MY government to be above killing people, even if they "deserve" it. I do not want my government to tell people not to take human life, and then use killing as a form of punishment for taking human life. It seems very hypocritical to me. I think that emotion needs to be separated from the rule of law. It shouldn't be a matter of making them pay, it should be a matter of doing what is right even when punishing those who did not. ESPECIALLY when punishing those who did not. Otherwise what makes the punisher any better than the one being punished?

We are one of two industrialized first world countries that still allow the death penalty. Japan, a nation that we basically built after WWII is the other. The list of other countries that allow the death penalty include countries like China, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Uganda, and North & South Korea. NOT the company I want the United States to be in. When I hear people promote an eye for an eye philosophy, calling for people to be brutally tortured for committing crimes, it reminds me of the Taliban. Stoning people to death for walking together on the street. Cutting off people's hands for stealing. I am proud that we have a more civilized rule of law than that, and I wish that we would abolish the uncivilized practice of killing as punishment, too.

I am just going to quote & nod at everything you say! I agree with it all & you put it into words so much better than I! :yes

I think our "punishment" is a joke. We have increasingly high rates of violent crime. It's obvious that the death penalty does not keep people from doing these things. If you knew you were going to be tortured for the rest of your life, not sitting peacefully in a jail cell trying to find cigarettes and God and waiting to see the latest movies on HBO in the community room, I think you'd think twice before doing something like that. Jail AND the death penalty just aren't enough in my opinion.

This is more like it:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio

I agree with you that jail should be hard. I don't agree with torture, but I do think that making them work all day, making things very hard for them, crappy food, no luxuries, etc would be a much better deterrant than death.

I will say though, Joe Arpaio is SO controversial here. LOL. If he was doing what he is doing to people in federal prison who committed murder, that would be one thing. But he is doing it to people in county jail for stuff like not paying traffic tickets and smoking a doobie. LOL.

I say let them fry baby!!!

When I said torture, I meant the way Arpaio does it. I don't mean like 3rd world country torture. :yes I would like something like what he does for the big time criminals. I think they shouldn't get luxuries, not even air conditioning. Definitely not an Arpaio praise post, it's just that is the only example I could remember of a punishment more fitting of the crimes.

i am glad that it's not up to me. i wouldn't want someone's life in my hands. i agree that there should be no death penalty because it just makes us as bad as them... but IF it were my child, i know i would snap and i would not care if i was just as bad...

I have mixed views on this. But when it comes down to it, I think I'm against it. I've had family members murdered, and I do wish that their killer is caught, I do not wish for them to die. I've struggled with this issue.

i believe it exists. :P

But I believe it is horribly wrong.

Government should not be in the practice of murdering people, under any circumstance.

Im all for it if the crime calls for it.

I believe in the death penalty. If a person kills someone they should get that done to them. Eye for an eye type of thing. If the person rapes another human that person deserves the same fate.

:yes

Yes I do believe in the death penalty. The only thing I dont agree with is how long it takes to carry it out

Yes I do believe in the death penalty. The only thing I dont agree with is how long it takes to carry it out

Gotta disagree with you there. :P With the number of people released from death row (and prison in general) since DNA evidence was introduced, and the number of people executed for crimes they didn't commit, I think the wait is necessary to ensure that everyone gets the right to a fair trial and appeal. It is the only way we can even pretend to make sure that innocent people aren't executed.

Gotta disagree with you there. :P With the number of people released from death row (and prison in general) since DNA evidence was introduced, and the number of people executed for crimes they didn't commit, I think the wait is necessary to ensure that everyone gets the right to a fair trial and appeal. It is the only way we can even pretend to make sure that innocent people aren't executed.


We can agree to disagree....lol. Love ya though

i have to say death penalty...if there aren't harsh punishments for harsh act why would they not do them? i mean if they know they can kill someone and then get away with free room and board for the rest of their lives... why worry?

Yes I do believe in the death penalty. The only thing I dont agree with is how long it takes to carry it out

:thumbsup

I like Ron White's view on it too. We need a fast lane like Texas has :lol

:thumbsup

I like Ron White's view on it too. We need a fast lane like Texas has :lol

:rofl I love that man

:thumbsup

I like Ron White's view on it too. We need a fast lane like Texas has :lol

Yes he rocks. An express lane is needed...lol

YES, i absolutely believe in the death penalty.

I am undecided..I understand why it doesn't make sense to kill someone for there crime of say murdering someone...because then we would be agreeing that there crime was bad but we think it it okay for the same thing to happen to them too..but I also think that some people have no chance or recovering or forgiving what they did and we do not have the funds or the space to keep them until they die on there own...but if I had to choose I think I would be for it.

We can agree to disagree....lol. Love ya though

:lolsign, right back atcha babe. :lovesign

See how easy it is to disagree nicely? Now why cant everyone do it.....lol

See how easy it is to disagree nicely? Now why cant everyone do it.....lol
:rofl Like that'll ever happen.... In a perfect world Lissa!

See how easy it is to disagree nicely? Now why cant everyone do it.....lol

LOL, some people care more about being right than the other persons feelings... :P

LOL, some people care more about being right than the other persons feelings... :P


here here tis sad

I do believe in the death penalty. I think that when the crime warrants it, it should definitely be an option. I think another case where this is prevalent is one that has been on our local news lately about a mother who was 9 months pregnant and killed by her estranged boyfriend in front of her toddler aged son who was able to tell the police, "Mommy was crying" and "Mommy is in the rug". The man who is being tried for the murder is eligible for the death penalty. I firmly believe that with something like, that man is not going to be able to be rehabilitated into society and to put him in prison for the rest of his life is making him a burden on the state as far as costs to keep him there.

I agree. That story made the news in my area as well.

Why shoud we as tax payer have to pay for them to eat and be housed? Not fair, I dont want to pay for the comforts of prison for someone of that nature.

It isnt the public's obligation to pay for a convicted rapist and murder to eat, sleep, drink, and play basketball.

I for one, dont want to out my money to pay for someone elses crimes. Its obseen to me to do that. Give them the death penalty and be done with it.

:tu I completely agree!

because many states do not have an adequate public defender program, i do not believe in the death penalty. i'm all about retribution... but i just don't think the playing field is even as it is now.

as an undergrad i worked on an appeal for a man that had been sentenced to death. he was from alabama, where they don't have a public defenders office (or didn't at the time of his trial), and his first court assigned attorney (at the time, judges in Alabama assigned random private attorneys to represent indigents for a couple bucks) spent only 20 minutes preparing for the case and (i am not kidding) fell asleep at the trial. for what it's worth i was 100% pro-death penalty before that class.