Death Penalty: Yea or Nay?
by Moral punishment or immoral vengeance?
image via wikipedia (lethal injection gurney–Indiana State Prison)
The never-ending debate over capital punishment continues today as never before with no end in sight. Today in the U.S. all but 14 states have the death penalty on the books as the ultimate penalty for capital crimes. Proponents believe it serves as a deterrent but according to Amnesty International (an opponent), FBI data indicates that all states without capital punishment in 2008 had homicide rates at or below the national average.
In this essay I will present two professional opinions–one opposing the death penalty; one in favor. I shall conclude by giving my own position following a brief dissertation of why I feel as I do and then I’ll solicit you feelings on the matter. Clearly, no solutions will be found on this site on this day but we can vent if we wish.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wrote in April, 2007, “No one deserves to die. When the government metes out vengeance disguised as justice it becomes compliant with killers in devaluing human life. We reject the principle of doing to animals what they do to their victims. The penalty for rape is not rape or for arson the burning down of the arsonist’s house. We should not, therefore, punish the murderer with death. Capital punishment is a barbaric remnant of uncivilized society.”
In June, 2008, Bruce Fein, General Counsel for the Center of Law and Accountability wrote on the American Bar Association’s website, “Abolitionists contend the death penalty is immoral because governments should never take a human life no matter what the provocation. That is an article of faith, not fact. The death penalty honors human dignity by treating the defendant as a free moral actor able to control his own destiny for good or ill; it does not treat him as an animal with no moral sense and thus subject ever to butchery to satiate human gluttony. Capital punishment celebrates the dignity of the humans whose lives were ended by the defendant’s predation.”
It is at this point when I become subjective and write about my adopted home state of Florida only as I have no definitive knowledge regarding this subject as it relates to other states. I apologize to my friends from other nations, most of which do not have this issue before you and therefore have no such debate, for writing around you.
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Post Commentdeep blue
On November 22, 2009 at 3:19 am
Very well written. If the state has all the money to keep these killers alive, I must say that’s worth it. Just in case I would be convicted for a crime I didn’t commit I suppose I have some time doing blogs until hanging time.
Christine Ramsay
On November 22, 2009 at 3:57 am
A very controversial topic, Ken. I am not for the death penalty as I think life imprisonment is much more of a punishment. I do think however that life should mean life. A very well written piece.
Christine
Ramalingam
On November 22, 2009 at 4:11 am
In my opinion , death sentence if awarded according to the gravity of the crime, for example, if a person forced a person’s wife to commit oral sex in the presence of her husband and then cruelly raped her, such cases deserve no mercy.Eventhough in India the idea of dispensing with the death sentence is gaining currency, still we do not support it.The question of awarding death sentence differ from person to person according to the gravity of the crime.Even in the US,death sentence has been given up only in 14 states and you should not forget, still 36 states are support of awarding death sentence.However, UN is periodically supporting the idea of dispensing with death sentence and most recently, it has even recommended and called upon its members to observe one year moratorium on death sentence.
Again in my humble opinion, each case should be considered according to its merits and depending upon the gravity of the crime committed by the culprit.
Mr Ghaz
On November 22, 2009 at 4:14 am
Excellent!..great article and very interesting read as well..mmm…’hot’ topic indeed..lol..thanks for sharing this great infos..cheers
:)
drelayaraja
On November 22, 2009 at 4:54 am
I am against death penalty. No one can take a life.
Lord Banks
On November 22, 2009 at 6:12 am
Indeed contraversial Ken-ster, personally im in favour of the death penalty. I do see both sides of the argument, I take the point of the way we treat animals is more humane, However as a rule of thumb animals don’t kill for fun or sexual fulfillment or profit, The biggest selling book of all time is the “Bible” it teaches “An eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth” Great article Ken
Papa Sparks
On November 22, 2009 at 6:13 am
Very well written as always Ken. This issue will always be the subject of much debate and scrutiny. Back when I was a high school student in the 70s it was being debate and today, it still continues.
willie wondka
On November 22, 2009 at 6:48 am
i did say bring the death penallty back, but after reading your issues on this, you changed my mind ken, punish them another way, never do to others as you would an animal, nor do to an animal what you do to a person, great write, thanks for sharing.
svishnugopal
On November 22, 2009 at 7:16 am
a very good topic, a very good contra to discuss about, you have done it well to the maximum..very brilliant ..thanks for sharing
Aiyanna
On November 22, 2009 at 7:48 am
Although I do believe in getting punishment for a crime that has been committed, I don’t believe in the death penalty. We are all humans with the same beating heart, blood and conscience. We all have the same tendency to commit the crime that the other person committed but we CHOSE not to do so because of a conscience.
Killing a person is a CHOICE in this case and what make you so different from the person you are condemning to death for murder etc. You are murdering them in the name of the law too, would your conscience live with that???
What I personally feel is that one should strive towards instilling a conscience into these people and that would be enough to kill them, their own guilt would do so…
Only the Creator the maker or taker of life has the right to pass a judgement on a person’s life and sorry we are not worthy to do something like that be it whatever reason.
You may get temporary relief in watching a person dying by lethal injection or electric chair and claim justice has been served. But will you be able to live with yourself for putting another life to death and even bigger sin watching it??
They have a family too, they have people who would cry for them when they die just the way you would for your loved one who was killed by them.
So it would mean that you are no different from what you made them to be and I am sorry I personally don’t support this and we are no one to take a life. I dont support killing an animal either, would rather let them live their term till their call from the above comes.
Nice article though but a very strong topic…
Authoress Terry E. Lyle
On November 22, 2009 at 8:36 am
Some criminals deserve the death penalty for crimes that they have inflicted upon others, however I don’t advocate taking a life, it’s a shame that society bears the financial burden of bettering the life of criminals with free medical and education when so many others isn’t afforded that opportunity who hasn’t committed a crime against society.
Authoress Terry E. Lyle
On November 22, 2009 at 8:38 am
Some criminals deserve the death penalty for crimes that they have inflicted upon others, however I don’t advocate taking a life, it’s a shame that society bears the financial burden of bettering the life of criminals with free medical and education when so many others isn’t afforded that opportunity who hasn’t committed a crime against society. “MORALLY I VOTE NAY”
Jane Jane
On November 22, 2009 at 9:43 am
I’m against it for even you kill that person nothings gonna change. What he had done will be done.
Prometheus Ridley Scott
On November 22, 2009 at 9:57 am
Great article,Ken. Real tough one to call though. There are valid arguments on both sides with this one. I will sit on the fence but great write up.
Uma Shankari
On November 22, 2009 at 9:58 am
I do support death penalty. Of course, it should be reserved for exceptionally sick people like the ones you describe. Every country has its own inventory of sickos. They will not change and the world is better without them.
Glynis Smy
On November 22, 2009 at 10:52 am
I think that life imprisonment with limited facilities and visits is more of a punishment.
Mark Gordon Brown
On November 22, 2009 at 11:34 am
A very contraversial subject, and one you handled well. It will probably always be an issue, legal, or not.
Olivia Van Logum
On November 22, 2009 at 11:53 am
Congrats on making the Triond Hot Content list again! You must be on the same wavelength as myself, as I was going to write an article today on the same subject – but you beat me to it!
I used to be against the death penalty in the UK, but over the last number of years my opinion has changed. We have children committing murders (Jamie Bulger was killed by boys under the age of 10), and teenagers roaming the streets in gangs, kicking and stamping on peoples heads thinking its a game. The justice system in the UK is incredibly week, with people who have committed murder gaining a so called \”life sentence\” only to be released after 10 years. The prisons are so full, we have not got the room to be able to hold prisoners for their full sentence period. We have even had immigrants purposefully commit crimes in the UK, so that they can go to prison, have a roof over their heads, be fed and gain qualifications.
Therefore I think it has come for the time for murderers to face the consequences of their actions, and I believe it is time to bring back the death penalty.
Great article Ken – keep em coming!
Netty net
On November 22, 2009 at 12:37 pm
The death penalty is not the answer. I would not want be on jury of death penalty case.
Sheila M
On November 22, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Very good article Ken and congrats on number one! Thinking only of my personal opinion, if it were me I’d rather die than spend life in prison. Seems to me spending the rest of one’s life that way would be more cruel than ending it. I say nay just because life for some may be more deserving.
willie wondka
On November 22, 2009 at 1:58 pm
way to go ken, you have made it not only into the hot topic but to the top of the list, wow i am inpressed.,
Ramalingam
On November 22, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Though the topic may be controversial, which means that provokes a hot discussion,the article deserves a befitting treatment of reaching the hot list.I went through the article once again for its comments.Thanks for sharing.
Themax
On November 22, 2009 at 3:11 pm
very very well written,Thanks
Dark Antirex
On November 22, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Interesting, great article. I started reading from end to beginning.
Daisy Peasblossom
On November 22, 2009 at 5:02 pm
My objection to the death penalty has nothing to do with the condemned, but rather what does carrying out such an order do to the executioner? Even if the whole process were to be automated in some way, somehow along the way, a human must take another human’s life. My other objection is that death is very final. There is no way to take it back if a mistake has been made.
Tanya Wallace
On November 22, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Outstanding article Ken,brilliant piece by all standards!Very indepth, comprehensive work.I like how you explored both sides.I have to admit like the reported in your story, at first I was thinking everyone deserves a second chance but then when I read on about the horrific way these poeple were svaagely murdered I thought there is no good left in these people, they did deserve to die! Exceptional journalistic writing skills my friend!
Teves
On November 22, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Death penalty is good for the criminal and rapist…
Goodselfme
On November 22, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Tx for the great and valued opinion. I am not a violent person, but probably would want a life for a life for my loved one killed, if sufficient evidence were obtained. Our present form of judicial system allows for too many criminals to not do their just confinement or give up their life after taking anothers life or quality of life.
Ruby Hawk
On November 22, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Couldn’t we take it case by case? That would be more ideal. In cases as you describe I could pull the switch myself, but in others such as a youngster pulling a gun on someone during a robber, as bad as that is, I couldn’t pull a switch on him.I would think about his life ahead of him. And so many mistakes are made. We hear every day about DNA proving a convicted murderer or rapist innocent years after the fact. I don’t know what the answer is.
Phill Senters
On November 22, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Another great controversial piece Ken.
I vote yea. I think that a lot of those who object would change their minds in very short order if their brother, sister, father, mother, wife, husband, or child was the victim of one of these monsters who rape and murder. In my opinion , they deserve neither mercy nor humane treatment, for they show none when they commit their vile acts.
chitragopi
On November 22, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Death is easy for people like Couey. Something more fitting should be thought of. Anyway God gave him the fittest, cancer. Great article.
Littlekid137
On November 22, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Honestly I would rather die right then of lethal injection then spend the rest of my life in prison.
Kyle R
On November 22, 2009 at 10:11 pm
excellent article
CharlesRutledge
On November 22, 2009 at 10:28 pm
To my mind, there are no easy answers on the death penalty.
I agree with it for mass murderers like Wayne Williams (Atlanta child murderer) and John Muhammad (DC sniper). I accept it on both retribution and deterrence grounds. I certainly agree with it for cases like Nuremberg, where the state engaged in mass murder.
On the other hand, I also agree with the federal moratorium on the death penalty because there have been 500 documented cases of innocents being executed over the last century. We never want to execute the innocent – see my profile page for the relevant article.
Sister Helen Prejean, NYT best-selling author, learned from experience. In the 1980’s, she wrote “Dead Man Walking”, which is an account of murderers being executed for their crimes. “The Death of Innocents” (2005) is the story of innocent people being executed. In it she mentions that we’ve executed 500 innocents over the last century.
CharlesRutledge
On November 22, 2009 at 10:29 pm
I might add that the death penalty was certainly a part of our law at the beginning of the republic.
Lady Sunshine
On November 22, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Short answer: I’m for the death penalty – on a case by case basis.
And Ken, how the hell do you it? You’re amazing!
Thewoodlandelf
On November 22, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I’m against the death penalty, the error rate is far too great a danger. Humans are not perfect, they DO make mistakes. There have been hundreds of people wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit, and sentenced to death, only to be later exonerated when evidence emerges to prove they were innocent. Many times, these people are freed only hours before their scheduled executions. And there are even people who were executed first and found innocent later, when it was too late to set them free. With no death penalty, the wrongly accused would at least have the time to try and prove their innocence.
And as for people who are guilty of their crimes, they would receive life in prison with no chance for parole, and they would not be able to harm anyone again. The death penalty does not deter crime anyway, so there is no sense in endangering people who might be innocent.
Snooky
On November 22, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Excellent article. I believe the death sentence should be applicable to the gravity of the crime. Our Lord and Father never hesitated to smote the immoral and depraved offenders of his rules. If proven guiley beyound a shadow of a doubt for unmeasurable wickedness let them deleted from the living for the sake of the rest of us.
LoveDoctor
On November 23, 2009 at 12:27 am
Excellent and very well-written article. Congrats! H.C and #1 on the list. Although a lot of criminals deserve the death penalty, this is a tough question since the topic is so controversial. I think the death penalty should be reserved for rapists. I don’t like the idea of killing any human being, but if they didn’t think twice before committing an offense then they should be punished as an adult even if it is a minor. forbidden comment.
James Kelly
On November 23, 2009 at 12:40 am
\”Britain was outraged that Florida was about to put a black man to death for simply killing a storekeeper during a robbery\”
That\’s an absolutely ridiculous and offensive way to sum up the sentiment of anti-death penalty campaigners in Britain or anywhere else – that they must think that the crime wasn\’t \’grave enough\’. Opponents of the death penalty feel that the state has no right to take a life (or to play God if you like) in any circumstance. So reciting in detail the horrors of a particular case and then theatrically asking \’don\’t you people care about the victims at all?\’ may play well to the pro-death penalty gallery, but it also spectacularly misses the point.
Cynthia Bartlett
On November 23, 2009 at 12:49 am
“No one deserves to die. When the government metes out vengeance disguised as justice it becomes compliant with killers in devaluing human life.”
yeah, tell that to the victims families.
If no one deserves to die then how can murderers get away with it?
oh it’s okay if “I kill someone you love, but don’t take my life away from me.”
Like any thing else, there is room for “carelessness” and “framing.” But some stuff is really over doing it. I just…I don’t understand why any one would want to go through that much trouble to frame someone. Yet greed is rampant on the U.S. soil, so guess if there are a great deal of assets to be gained anything is possible. I don’t understand why a parent would want to harm their own child. Post Postpartum depression, maybe, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, possibly, still….
Mental Health Sciences are still in the elementary stages. Oh a lot has been discovered, but the propaganda surrounding a lot of the instances, just sounds far fetched and a mere excuse to get the guilty party off easy.
Fewer people are willing to believe in God or at the very least a being greater than themselves. I believe there is a God and try to act as if I will be held accountable for my actions. I may be wrong. But What if I”m right? What if we will all be held accountable for our negative behavior? What if the stories of eternal damnation are true? What if those living an alternative life style find out “Oh Crap, that wasn’t such a good idea after all” “Oh well, too late now”
I admit that I am not the best example of my “race, religion, etc” but I try to do the best I can with what I have to work with.
Like one of the fisherman’s Christmas Carols, “I hope I will be found large enough to keep.”
I strive to go to Heaven; however, it wouldn’t surprise me if I were condemned to Hell.
Patrick Regoniel
On November 23, 2009 at 12:58 am
This is really a debatable issue. But time flies. Whatever action must be made, it should be done in a reasonable frame of time. Democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. If it’s in the interest of the majority, then the opted action must be done. But what if the majority is wrong?
wonder
On November 23, 2009 at 1:48 am
The criminals are affecting a broader section of society as per your article and that cannot be allowed.It will indirectly widen the poverty line.Subjectively speaking, the way of life in prison might become a chore for them and time might diminish the intensity of threir act.There should be refined means of execution and of course within a limited time frame
.Felt priviledged to participate; wherein the open ended question posed was subtle and had no hard lines and compulsions.It has changed my outlook.
wonder
On November 23, 2009 at 1:48 am
The criminals are affecting a broader section of society as per your article and that cannot be allowed.It will indirectly widen the poverty line.Subjectively speaking, the way of life in prison might become a chore for them and time might diminish the intensity of threir act.There should be refined means of execution and of course within a limited time frame.
Felt priviledged to participate; wherein the open ended question posed was subtle and had no hard lines and compulsions.It has changed my outlook.
ZESAras
On November 23, 2009 at 5:17 am
A very controversial topic, Ken. I am not for the death penalty as I think life imprisonment is much more of a punishment
Rosemary Redfern
On November 23, 2009 at 6:52 am
This subject raises a lot of emotion. The FBI stats suggest that it is not a deterrent and what is done in the heat of a moment or when someone is focussed on an aim is never going to be. The death penalty has to be revenge by the state.
If it is not a deterrent, what does it achieve otherwise? The victim is not brought back to life, the survivors do not recover from the emotional trauma, many saying they thought they would feel better after the execution, yet they don’t.
When you think of punishment, life, the whole of life, is far more terrible than death.
Paul2KAD
On November 23, 2009 at 8:15 am
The Death Penalty clearly is no deterrent at all. The US is one of very few “civilised” countries with the Death Penalty and has an extraordinarily high murder and violent crime rate. Surely decades in prison is worse than a short time in prison? Once they are dead they don’t suffer any more. Why give them that release?
Hopefully the US will eventually give in to the opinion of the vast majority of other developed countries and end this barbaric idea. As far as I am concerned unless you kill someone to defend yourself, your loved ones or your country then it is murder. If it is planned then it is premeditated murder and even states should not have that power.
Thanks for the article.
call me stupid
On November 23, 2009 at 8:41 am
that not even ur work
mo hoyal
On November 23, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Wonderful article as usual Ken, I enjoy reading what you write very much. With regard to capital punishment, yes, case by case-like killing in self defense etc. But to the cold ruthless bastard that can rape and kill a child-I hear these days now they go after babies…I will pull the lever to fry the lousy bastard! I guess they don’t electrocute maybe now, but you get the meaning!
Leonardo davinci Evans
On November 23, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Humanity is not careful enough to wield a death penalty,and has proven it with the verifiable execution of innocent people. Indeed, the Constitution guarantees life…..liberty, and the pursuit of happiness(in a life-long solitary cell if you take a life)!
The torture of knowing you\’ll never get out, never have access to a normal life, have severe limitations placed on your access to pleasure and happiness,have no hope of commited social exchanges where people have your best interest at heart, is the special type of cruelty ones horrific acts deserve. On the other hand, when Judicial and investigative mistakes will have taken place, a person would still be alive when mistakes are discovered.
CEMANES Writes
On November 23, 2009 at 9:02 pm
This is a very good article for this could gather different views from the readers and may clear the doubts of those who believe that killing is a solution for hardened criminals.
For me, killing a person is nothing but a desperate move.
When God said, “thou shalt not kill”. There is no qualification thus, killing is a no.no.
nenen
On November 23, 2009 at 11:47 pm
nice article you got here ken… very well written… death penalty is a very controversial issue, even here in our country. it’s very conflicting because it is based on moral issue..to kill or not
Parish Loveless
On November 24, 2009 at 8:58 am
if you kill someone i love … i want you to live w/o freedom … i want to watch you suffer for all of time!!! locked up … tortured …. in pain … with no one to talk to … no one to confess your sins too … only your thoughts to haunt you … this is how i feel.
Hansika
On November 24, 2009 at 9:39 am
wonderful share…thanks mate
ashan1614
On November 24, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Ah, Lord Banks: The notion of “an eye for eye” is from the Old Testament, where man was living under Mosaic Law. We are now under grace, whereby Christ has died that we may be forgiven of all sin. I know it’s hard to swallow when heinous crimes are committed, but as a Christian I have to live under the presumption that as long as one has breath in his/her body, one is able to repent and be forgiven. That said, I am against the death penalty for I believe only God has a right to take a life, because it is only He who can give life. Those who think THEY have the right to take a life still get the chance to be forgiven. If they don’t accept that, they will spend an eternity in hell, where I believe their suffering will be unimaginable.
Athlyn Green
On November 24, 2009 at 5:07 pm
When a person shows complete and utter disregard for other people–disregard for their mental and emotional well being, disregard for their bodily comfort and for their very life, why should that person be afforded regard and mercy and why should that person’s life be respected?
People who torment and kill others have lost their footing in civilized society. Appropriate measures should be taken to protect civilized people.
martie
On November 25, 2009 at 1:06 am
I could debate this subject with myself. I like so many others do not consider myself violent but in some cases I honestly feel that the criminal longs to die. On the other hand, I know if I sat on a death penalty jury I would vote against it. I could not live with myself if I voted a man to death and later learned he was innocent.
Ask Cash
On November 25, 2009 at 8:47 am
Life imprisonment is worse than the death penalty. It is far better to prolong the agony when the person really is guilty.
britishaphrodite
On November 26, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Interesting article.
Michael Eboh
On November 27, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Good and very interesting!
Aaron PACB
On November 27, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Death sentences do seem suitable punishments, although I think a better alternative would be to just drop them in the middle of a large dessert or the middle of Australia or something. With no communication or food and necessities.
PR Mace
On November 27, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Interesting debate. I think there should not be a death row, if you are sentenced to death it should be carried out the next day. It would save a lot of time and money. Just my opinion.
Olive B.
On December 14, 2009 at 12:58 am
I think I’d lean more toward eternal suffering…like well i don’t know…cutting thm open or shocking thm or banging their head rly hard against a brick wall…=)