[Dragonman]

Haven't been any new debates topics here lately, and this is the only I can think of (I'm horrible at starting debates ).

Anyways, what is your opinion on the death penalty? Only certain crimes it should be for or not used at all?

[Neraphym]

I think we've had one of these before. Personally, I'd say keep it. I would prefer death to life in prison, I suppose. I'm not saying make it optional, though. Some people deserve to die after certain horrible actions. I believe rape (legit rape, not statutory) and 1st degree murder should be punishable by death. These actions are unforgivable. Some may say its also cheaper to put people to death rather than keep them alive the rest of their miserable existances. Unfortunately, the appeal system is so long and drawn-out, so it's not necessarily cheaper than life in prison.

Also, people who have had repeat offenses of the same kind should be locked up with the key thrown away. If you commit the same crime twice, you're done. Life in prison, no questions. Actually, depending on the severity, that could change to the death penalty. For instance, if you kill one person in the second degree and serve your time, get out, then kill someone else in the second, you should be put to death. Last but not least, anyone with a dui should have their liscense suspended indefinitely, no exceptions. Too many idiots driving drunk out there.

[Jake]

anyone with a dui should have their liscense suspended indefinitely, no exceptions. Too many idiots driving drunk out there.

indefinately is a bit harsh but it should be at LEAST a year if not 1-5 depending on repeat offences.

i know too many people that used to drink but have given it up to say indefinately.

the dwi laws here pretty harsh.


Btw isn't dui when your high and driving?

[Dragonman]

Actually I can see a reason for a released prisoner to commit the same crime again, especially it's severe. Think about this, a guy commits a murder, stays in jail and ends up getting released. Are other people going to want to interact with him? Are other people going to treat him like others. Most likely not, so now the guy is stuck in different life, he can't socialize with anybody normally, and if he tries to start a friendship/relationship with somebody that doesn't know who he is, he'll have to tell them eventually of his past crime, in which case there's a good chance the relationship will end.

Back to the point, I think something needs to be done to set their life straight, instead of "Let's give prisoners who do 'so-and-so' the death penatly so there's no hope for them'." The drive/reason for crimes commited that merit the death pentalty should be discovered and released to show that this is just a regular person that went through something different than most people in the world, leading to them committing the crime. There are no evil people int he world, but they can be misled to thinking certain things, they could be raised differently, etc. If they have a problem/disease they should've been in special care in the first place.

I'll end there, sort of rambled to get some ideas out there.

[Neraphym]

DUI = driving under influence

And no, these laws are not harsh enough.

[Raktor]

We're getting laws here about suspending liscenses for people who are caught drug driving. I think 10x more people were caught drug driving than drunk driving in their tests. :S

[Phorgot]

death penalties are good for certain reasons, but its really not the right thing to do

[Zziggywolf5]

The death penalty should be used on the most violent criminals. Rapists (not consensual ) cannot be rehabilitated. Also, what do you do when someone murders someone else? Tell them he was naughty? Most if not all people have at least a simple concept of good and bad, retards, schizophrenics, etc.
Of course, some people want to execute without proving anything. You have, have to know they did the crime. That should be obvious, but hard to tell what people might think.

This post has been edited by ziggywolf5: 27 November 2005 - 10:12 PM

[Kaezion]

kill him!

(15 years later down the road, long after the execution)

oh ****. we ****ed up.


this is actually the case with many executed criminals (well, maybe not that many). DNA evidence has actually proven them innocent, but nothing we can do about it now. just apologize to their families, i guess. it was their fault for being at the wrong place at the wrong time anyway!

[Neraphym]

Our courts do as best a job as they can to make 100% sure that the suspect is guilty of the crime before they execute him/her. I really feel bad for the innocent ones, but it's not like they don't stand a chance.

[Elvenblader]

The worst thing you could probably do is take the life of another, but things like rape cannot be forgiven, murder, rape and molestation are three of the most terrible things a human can do to a fellow human being. As far as how the legal system is now, I say let it stay, if you planned to murder someone and think your going to get away with it, you have another thing coming. But things like 2nd degree murder should only be put in life in prison. What's ironic is people that are molested when they are very young are actually sometimes repeated and think that rape and molestation are ok. Kinda hard to explain but the cycle of rape and molestation in some cases repeats ironically. Real sad though.

[Charlie]

My personal opinion would be that the death penalty is wrong . Say you have committed murder you should not be given the death penalty even if it is that serious a crime. The person doing the execution would b sinking as low as the criminal as he would be sending someone to death as well. What is the point of a murder after a murder when the law plainly says it is wrong!

[Neraphym]

I'd like for you to find a case where someone committed murder and and is now facing the death penalty. Now go and protest against it on the lawn of the family that survived the victim. Tell me then that death is not a legitimate punishment for someone who has killed. Look into the eyes of a mother that had to bury her child because some prick raped then slit his throat, and then tell me that taking the life of the person who did this is unjust. Your bleeding heart should go to the victim and their family before it goes to a convicted murderer.

[Kaezion]

bleeding hearts aside, the court's best effort to make sure the right person is convicted isn't good enough. can you name anything more unjust than an innocent person being put to death for a crime he didn't commit? and by the same legal system whose very purpose is to uphold justice?

[Final F8]

bleeding hearts aside, the court's best effort to make sure the right person is convicted isn't good enough. can you name anything more unjust than an innocent person being put to death for a crime he didn't commit? and by the same legal system whose very purpose is to uphold justice?

Good point.
You just changed my entire opinion of the death penalty.

Well..unless there is 100% guaranteed proof that the person in question committed a crime worthy of the death penalty.