Dadu2004

Let the debate begin... keep it civil please.

Supreme Court sharply limits use of death penalty | csmonitor.com

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Dadu2004

Mods, please move this to the debates forum if applicable. Thanks!

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Good Wolf

Death is too good for them but I hate the fact that our tax dollars go towards keeping them alive.

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Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis.

HappyMomma

I was sad to hear this in the news. I agree with GW.

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The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable.
~Lane Olinghouse

Mindy

The irony blows me away.

See for the most part I am AGAINST the death penalty.... EXCEPT in the case of child rapists/murderers. Because I don't believe they can be rehabilitated (most anyway, if they are young enough and have been abused themselves, it's possible, but not likely IMO)

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"Someday, maybe, there will exist a well-informed, well considered and yet fervent public conviction that the most deadly of all possible sins is the mutilation of a child’s spirit.”

Dr. Erik Erikson

Dadu2004

Being a proclaimed Christian, this puts me in an awkward position. While I don't believe that these people deserve to live in society (even in prison), it's hard for me to justify killing another human being, when I believe in God's law. God's law says "thou shalt not kill". But, I just can't help wanting them out of this life.

I don't think I'll ever really be able to take a stance on this...

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Good Wolf

Crimes on children are more horrific but I don't see how it differs from crimes on adults as far as rehabilitation goes.

The prison system does not try to rehabilitate inmates. They lock them in cages, feed them slop, treat them worse than dogs, allow guards and inmates to abuse them, and then set them free into a society that does not allow convicted felons to get a job, rent an apartment, or do anything else to have the slightest chance of success.

There are exceptions to the norm but most convicts are back in prison within a matter of months after their release.

If they don't kill them they should have a life sentence.

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Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis.

Mindy

Sarushjr, I am not a Christian, but I feel the same inner turmoil as you do about this. I do believe in God's law "thou shalt not kill" but I had a question if you don't mind? I always thought the Bible also said (and I haven't read it in it's entirety so please correct me if I am wrong) An eye for an eye?

Or maybe I misunderstood the scripture leading up to that part?

GW, I agree with you.

I guess what I can see, as far as rehabilitation, that I really do have empathy for common thiefs and such that end up in the prison system. It is so much easier said than done to drag yourself up out of the mud when you were born and raised in ghettos, where you join a gang, or be killed. I can sympathize with how some of these young men get caught up in the gangs, and end up charged with murder. (NOT making excuses, but can understand to a certain degree) I know that's a generalization, but it's just how I feel. But I think child rape and or murder is coldly calculated. Maybe they can't help themselves because something is wrong inside of them, but they still have to plan their attacks on the most innocent. Sure there is probably crimes of opportunity, but for the most part, you actually have to seek those opportunities out. So I don't know, I do feel there is something wrong in the brain of a pedophile/child rapist/killer. Something I feel they may never be able to get control of. LOL, totally babbling now.

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"Someday, maybe, there will exist a well-informed, well considered and yet fervent public conviction that the most deadly of all possible sins is the mutilation of a child’s spirit.”

Dr. Erik Erikson

Skyburning

I don't have a problem with the death penelty assuming a person is proven guilty without doubt. This sucks.

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Mindy

But that's what sucks. Many people are proven guilty "without doubt" you have to prove that anytime you convict someone of a crime. And yet, sooo many people who have been convicted, then executed/on death row, have been found to be innocent. So it's an awful dilemna. No easy answers, that's for sure.

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"Someday, maybe, there will exist a well-informed, well considered and yet fervent public conviction that the most deadly of all possible sins is the mutilation of a child’s spirit.”

Dr. Erik Erikson