The Death Penalty

MorganGrayson · 11-04-2005

Lately I was having one of those academic, detached discussions that people have when they're discussing something that has no personal relevancy to their lives. It was about the death penalty and whether or not the United States should have one.

It has been amply proven that it doesn't act as a deterrant to crime. People who commit crimes don't seem to have the abiltiy to think that far ahead. It has also been demonstrated that it is unequally applied. There have also been financial reasons brought into the discussion, both for and against. Some people say it's cheaper to execute them, while others point out the fortune that is spent in the appeals process, making it very expensive to hand out the death penalty.

The arguments for and against go on and on.

One of the points most often raised is "yes, but how would you feel if the victim was a member of your own family?"

I recently received word that a woman who had committed a horrible crime against me and a member of my family was dying of cancer. The caller expected some kind of emotional reaction from me, but I didn't have one to give. I did not rejoice in her impending death, neither did I feel compassion. Her death would not restore what she had taken. The crime was committed a very long time ago and I've come to terms with it as much as is possible. Oddly, the length of time is about what someone sentenced to death would sustain during the appeals process. My reaction almost frightened me with its neutrality. If there is karmic retribution, and I believe there is, this woman's punishment will be coming for her.

I wanted to start some kind of intelligent dialogue regarding the death penalty and see what, if any, opinions the members of Oprano have. I'm also putting up a poll for those who'd prefer simply to vote rather than discuss.

Thank you.

View Poll Results: Do you support the use of the death penalty?
Yes	8	61.54%
No	5	38.46%
Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll

11-04-2005	#1
MorganGrayson None $100 for every ImLive sign-up Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,321	The Death Penalty Lately I was having one of those academic, detached discussions that people have when they're discussing something that has no personal relevancy to their lives. It was about the death penalty and whether or not the United States should have one. It has been amply proven that it doesn't act as a deterrant to crime. People who commit crimes don't seem to have the abiltiy to think that far ahead. It has also been demonstrated that it is unequally applied. There have also been financial reasons brought into the discussion, both for and against. Some people say it's cheaper to execute them, while others point out the fortune that is spent in the appeals process, making it very expensive to hand out the death penalty. The arguments for and against go on and on. One of the points most often raised is "yes, but how would you feel if the victim was a member of your own family?" I recently received word that a woman who had committed a horrible crime against me and a member of my family was dying of cancer. The caller expected some kind of emotional reaction from me, but I didn't have one to give. I did not rejoice in her impending death, neither did I feel compassion. Her death would not restore what she had taken. The crime was committed a very long time ago and I've come to terms with it as much as is possible. Oddly, the length of time is about what someone sentenced to death would sustain during the appeals process. My reaction almost frightened me with its neutrality. If there is karmic retribution, and I believe there is, this woman's punishment will be coming for her. I wanted to start some kind of intelligent dialogue regarding the death penalty and see what, if any, opinions the members of Oprano have. I'm also putting up a poll for those who'd prefer simply to vote rather than discuss. Thank you.