Death Penalty Poll

Originally Posted by lynw

But a government like China... now that is a different matter.

Lyn,

I was waiting for that comment, but I am kinda surprised that you are the one to come out with it. Elsewhere in this forum ("Chinese Execution" I think) the Chinese "regime" was described as "corrupt" and "evil" for their human rights record, yet we (Au and UK) have endorsed through our participation and/or silence in many human rights abuses by the US and probably quite a few of our own in the wake of Iraq and Afghanistan - wars which were probably on very shaky legal ground - and the endorsement of hundreds of thousands deaths by our leaders for what was more about economic and strategic (plus raiding a couple of treasuries) gains than any WOT.
It is hypocritical (us not you) to play the high and mighty and criticise other nations for their behaviour when our own house(s) is not in order.

EDIT: Whoops! I hadn't read the last 20 or so posts in the thread mentioned above - thought it was gone. That same point was well made.

[ethariel]

Originally Posted by Ed

Absolutely. Spot on.

Never, not under any circumstances.

Never?

Thats a rash and wild statement

Originally Posted by ethariel

Never?

Yes, never.

Originally Posted by ethariel

Thats a rash and wild statement

No it isn't. It means what it says on the tin. Never.

Yep, christian principle of forgiveness, cant forgive if they are dead.

[Spiderman]

Originally Posted by lynw

But if you believe the law about not killing applies to all, in my eyes that also has to apply to the state.

This then leads into another argument which I wont dwell on too much in this thread as it will derail it from a good discussion, but is prison there to rehabilitate as much as punish? I know some people can never be rehabilitated, but equally I dont believe it is justice for the state to kill them.

I many ways i agree with you Lyn, but if a person has decided to take a life and thus not play along with the rule of law then should the law not have the power to dish out the same as a consequence?

Again i mean this only in circumstances where the crim took a life for no good reason, ie a burglar who breaks in and steals and just for "fun" rapes the woman and then kills the her and her kids. Shows no remorse and says he will actively continue in this way should he ever get out, break out if needs be.
Should the law not be able to deter this type of person?

And again, is it ever a deterrent even? Or will it simply mean more rapists for example will kill their victims to ensure they dont get caught an thus put to death.

ANd as you rightly say, does prison rehabilitate? And if it does then why attempt to do that for someone who its already been decided they should stay away from society until they die naturally?

What of they continue to kill at every opportunity while in jail? Should the law still turn a blind eye to their life taking and simply say "we wont stoop so low" but we will shackle and bind them and only feed them intravenously as they as such a threat to everyone who they come into contact with?
Is that any more "right" than ending a pointless life?

As always Lyn, you know i'm not picking on you at all, just that you post some of the best thought but arguments that always give me plenty of food for thought.

Originally Posted by beabert

Yep, christian principle of forgiveness, cant forgive if they are dead.

**** off

[Spiderman]

Dont let it get under your skin Ed.

[anna]

I also think that there should be no death penalty.

Punishment on this level is nothing short of vengence for things that can not be undone, mended or fixed. There can be no good come from killing anyone I know it is a contraversal statement, but I dont think that it helps victims in any way shape or form.

Society changes and moves forwards (one hopes) and so we learn to better rehabilitate offenders, or how to be able to use their skills to better use. I firmly believe that all people are able to contribute something to this society. Ok I know I am going to be accused of being naive, and I choose to be this way.

I understand that some people are not able to be rehabilitated however, I dont see that it is our decision to take life. Yes it costs money to keep them and a drain on society, but what about the moral well being of society when did that suddenly get measured in monetry terms?

[5hort5]

Kill a few crims, less carbon foot print Save the world in the process - that got to be religious in some way, green peace world love it

I'd be content with the death sentence for those that really are guilty of horrific crimes. However, never should the 'state' be given that much power. You can bet your bottom dollar, they'd abuse it.