The Death Penalty - are you for or against it and why?

[Epimethean]

Democracy is tyranny of the masses. So what is the cure? The democratic republic? Well, that's done fuck-all for criminal justice. Socialization of the penal system? Hmmmn ... how's that working elsewhere? Bottom line: If you're a Charles Manson, FUCK YOU and here's your ticket off this rock. Go find the voices.

[reverendjeremiah]

I am SO happy with how far this poll has gone, even though the current majority is voting against my own views. 63 votes so far, and it seems the majority is tipping into the "I oppose it" category.

Seems this is a very hot topic for freethinkers.

[Rudolph Hucker]

I am SO happy with how far this poll has gone, even though the current majority is voting against my own views. 63 votes so far, and it seems the majority is tipping into the "I oppose it" category.

Seems this is a very hot topic for freethinkers.

Against.

Always.

State murder is still murder.

[Judas BentHer]

Democracy is tyranny of the masses.

This is the second time I've read that rhetoric. Perhaps I'll get an answer asking this same question a second time. What then is the alternative form of government to Democracy?

[Violet]

This is the second time I've read that rhetoric. Perhaps I'll get an answer asking this same question a second time. What then is the alternative form of government to Democracy?

Despotism,
Meritocracy,
Communism,
Oligarchy,
Theocracy,
Anarchy.
Unificationism,
Mercantilism,
Technocracy,
etc.

It's actually rather easy to avoid the evil of democracy.

[Epimethean]

Democracy is tyranny of the masses.

This is the second time I've read that rhetoric. Perhaps I'll get an answer asking this same question a second time. What then is the alternative form of government to Democracy?

I have no clue what a "better" one is. I was asking, too.

[bozo]

One reason why some are in favour of the death penalty is because they erroneously believe that by denying the perpetrator their life, they are somehow punishing them. But the absolute worst thing you can do to someone is to put them in permanent solitary confinement. That is far more damaging than a quick death. Once it has occurred then that individual suffers no more. So how this can be viewed as punishment is beyond me, when they could be languishing in a tiny cell for the rest of their life. If I had to choose between the two, I know which I would opt for. Though I would rather the guillotine than lethal injection. One second to die is much better than twenty five minutes.

Nice choice of the guillotine. I have read that when the blade severs the neck there is a " pleasant cooling sensation ".

---

I have consistently voted against for many years , for reasons already posted.
To those who are for and specifically those who favour selective execution for some murders, would you execute Kim Crawford aged 21 from New York who has admitted hitting her 5-year-old son hard in the back and stomach? The child died of internal injuries and she is charged with murder and manslaughter for his death. She apparently was angry with the child for breaking the television while playing a Wii video game.

[The Grand Nudger]

Oppose it. It seems painfully obvious to me that we can devise something a little more cruel and useful than just nixing these people.

Giant hampster wheels used as generators come to mind, imagine being able to sentence someone in gigawatts. Would make a hell of an early release program, just run faster. Then, when they commit their next crime, they would be more difficult to catch, lessening the burden on the penal system. Somebody here has to agree with me on this one. It's genius.

[Autumnlicious]

Giant hampster wheels used as generators come to mind, imagine being able to sentence someone in gigawatts...

I love it. +1 for immediate implementation.

[DaveD]

Against, for all the usual reasons plus another one that isn't often mentioned.
With executions you need executioners.
People who relish the idea of taking a human life shouldn't be allowed to.
People who don't shouldn't have to, if it is as avoidable as using life imprisonment instead.