[MTVN]

I remember reading about someone executed by firing quad in the States not all that long ago, I think it was the first one in ages or something like that

[Roy Mars III]

Yeah that was in Utah. The guy chose it, he wanted to go out with a bang.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Roy Mars III

Yeah that was in Utah. The guy chose it, he wanted to go out with a bang.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I remember reading about someone executed by firing quad in the States not all that long ago, I think it was the first one in ages or something like that

if i recall yu are tsalking about a man that REQUESTED to be killed by fireing squad, because he found a loophole in the law that gave him the right to choose how he died. right?

so he wanted to be killed by firing squad, are you saying he shouldn't have been given the freedom to choose how he died?

he was certainly offered more humane ways to die.

[Z]

Originally Posted by Jack_

I oppose it completely. It's a disgusting, hypocritical, inhumane attempt at 'justice' which has so many flaws that I see no positive reasoning as to its implementation.

First and foremost, it's a complete cop-out of a punishment for the criminal. Why on earth would anyone want someone's suffering to be stopped after a few minutes, when there's the option of having them suffer their entire lives? And as Nathan said most criminals on life sentences would choose suicide over actually fulfilling their sentence anyway, I know I would.

Not only that but the message it sends out is not only full of hypocrisy, but it's essentially saying that it's perfectly acceptable to murder, which it isn't. The whole concept of it just panders to the blood thirsty morons who scream and wail 'kill the evil twat!!!' every time a case is reported. And of course, there's occasions where people have been innocently executed, which is unforgivable if you ask me.

If it were down to me I'd have prisons made tougher and sentences extended, they're not perfect at the moment but they're a much better place to send criminals for real justice than executing them on the spot. I find the whole idea and the fact that some people are so desperate for others to be killed extremely disturbing.

But the ENTIRE concept of justice is guided by human emotions. Deciding to just lock someone away in a cell to prolong their suffering is JUST as irrational as ending their life because it's a decision made by other people because of something one or more persons has done to another person or persons. People are the be all and end all of justice. The difference between capital punishment and long term jail sentences is that you can slightly undo a jail sentence... but that person has still lost a chunk of their life to not being free.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by lostalex

if i recall yu are tsalking about a man that REQUESTED to be killed by fireing squad, because he found a loophole in the law that gave him the right to choose how he died. right?

so he wanted to be killed by firing squad, are you saying he shouldn't have been given the freedom to choose how he died?

No, what part of my post gave you that idea?

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by MTVN

No, what part of my post gave you that idea?

your post made it sound like the USA is barbaric for using a firing squad to carry out the death penalty, when in fact they were just carrying out the man's wishes.

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by Zee

But the ENTIRE concept of justice is guided by human emotions. Deciding to just lock someone away in a cell to prolong their suffering is JUST as irrational as ending their life because it's a decision made by other people because of something one or more persons has done to another person or persons. People are the be all and end all of justice. The difference between capital punishment and long term jail sentences is that you can slightly undo a jail sentence... but that person has still lost a chunk of their life to not being free.

But the concept of killing someone in itself is just, well...morally wrong. I understand where you're coming from and I guess it's a valid point I hadn't thought about, and whilst I agree that most, if not all things in life are socially constructed concepts, I still find it difficult to comprehend how the decision to take someone else's life can be anything other than wrong, because no one should have that right. So on that basis, the death penalty is totally hypocritical and of course wrong.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by lostalex

your post made it sound like the USA is barbaric for using a firing squad to carry out the death penalty, when in fact they were just carrying out the man's wishes.

Not at all, I just stated that I read about a firing squad case not long ago which was the first one in ages, because the previous posts were discussing it. I didn't say anything about it being barbaric.

[Kazanne]

I would have no hesitation with certain cold bloodied and calculated murderers,especially those that involve torture or children,it may be an easy way out but it rids us of the scum of the earth,and yes i have known a couple of people who have been killed in my family,so I guess i might be biased.

[Z]

Originally Posted by Jack_

But the concept of killing someone in itself is just, well...morally wrong. I understand where you're coming from and I guess it's a valid point I hadn't thought about, and whilst I agree that most, if not all things in life are socially constructed concepts, I still find it difficult to comprehend how the decision to take someone else's life can be anything other than wrong, because no one should have that right. So on that basis, the death penalty is totally hypocritical and of course wrong.

I mean I don't disagree with your post, I just thought it might be interesting to put that particular spin on things. I'm not wholly sure where I stand on the issue. I'm not sure it's possible for me to have a view that applies to every individual case, I think my views depend entirely on each situation, the certainty behind the conviction, the nature of the crime etc... I'm pretty sure my views on one old man murdering another in cold blood because he'd been his life long enemy for decades and the victim had done plenty to ruin the offender's life... would be in stark contrast to a man who raped and murdered a child for his own pleasure. The judgment of crime is ruled by emotion and it takes a very emotionally detached person to be able to judge such a thing, and it's not something I could ever do.

[Harry!]

Ever since the death of Gaddafi my opinions of the death penalty had changed. For his case specifically he should have been trialled and jailed for the rest of his life. What happened to him was wrong.

More in general the death penalty is wrong because the criminals would "Die Happy" and would think whatever they did was right at the very last point of death.

Also for some criminals the death penalty would seem as a "Cop-Out" for the criminals and look like an easy option. Yes, of course they would physically not exist after death but their morals will stay for far longer. At least life in prison will allow a possible chance to dwell on the crimes and possibly come out a better person.

[lostalex]

What happened to Ghadaffi was wrong?? REALLY? If any one desrerved to be killed by a mob, i think he did. I don't understand how you could see anything wrong with that. Those were the people kept under his iron fist for 30 years, and HE'S the one you feel sorry for?? REALLY?

We have a very different world view my friend. VERY DIFFERENT.

[Benjamin]

The main reason I do not agree with the death penalty is; what if the person sentenced to death was innocent and had to lose their life over something they didn't do?

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by ukturtle

The main reason I do not agree with the death penalty is; what if the person sentenced to death was innocent and had to lose their life over something they didn't do?

i Made that point like 40 mins ago, but i still agree...

[Harry!]

Originally Posted by lostalex

What happened to Ghadaffi was wrong?? REALLY? If any one desrerved to be killed by a mob, i think he did. I don't understand how you could see anything wrong with that. Those were the people kept under his iron fist for 30 years, and HE'S the one you see something wrong about dying that way?? REALLY?

We have a very different world view my friend. VERY DIFFERENT.

Morally and ethically wrong but socially correct. I know he was a bad man but I think just locking him up in a cell and just left there to stave would have been better.

[Harry!]

Corporal punishment is better then capital punishment.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Harry!

Corporal punishment is better then capital punishment.

You arn't Libyan, and you don't know what it's like to be held captive by a dictator for 30 years, so i don't think it's yur place to judge those Libyan people who killed him.

[arista]

Originally Posted by lily.

Discuss...

Will Only Return in England
when we enter World War 3.

[Harry!]

Originally Posted by lostalex

You arn't Libyan, and you don't know what it's like to be held captive by a dictator for 30 years, so i don't think it's yur place to judge those Libyan people who killed him.

I was NOT judging the Libyan people. Socially they had a right to oust the dictator (and of course do whatever they wanted to him). I am a believer of dying with dignity and that was not dying with dignity. Of course since he was never trailed for his crimes against the Libyan people we will never know his "forged" opinions.

I am not ignorant and I do know what happened in Libya. And of course that was very wrong.

[Doogle]

Well I haven't got a strong opinion on it, seeing as I'm not too knowledgeable on the subject. But I was wondering, people always say "what if an innocent person is killed?". Well innocent people end up in jail too and I'm not saying that's the equivalent but if people want prisons to be tougher on prisoners and their prison sentences, why are people so okay with that compared to the death sentence? Baring in mind people also say that the prisons could be more torture than getting the easier way out with death.

And I know death would affect people who knew them, but in many ways so would being in prison for such a long amount of time.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Harry!

I was NOT judging the Libyan people. Socially they had a right to oust the dictator (and of course do whatever they wanted to him). I am a believer of dying with dignity and that was not dying with dignity. Of course since he was never trailed for his crimes against the Libyan people we will never know his "forged" opinions.

I am not ignorant and I do know what happened in Libya. And of course that was very wrong.

well obviously the Libyan people disagree with you that HE deserved to die "with dignity" and personally, i don't blame them at all.

That CARTOON of a man lost all DIGNITY a long long time ago.

[Jack_]

Have to be honest, there was something very, I don't know...sadistic about splashing photos of a dead man over national newspapers and everybody cheering. It's still someone's death...it's not sad at all with regards to him, but, it doesn't feel morally right to be overly joyous at someone's death.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Jack_

Have to be honest, there was something very, I don't know...sadistic about splashing photos of a dead man over national newspapers and everybody cheering. It's still someone's death...it's not sad at all with regards to him, but, it doesn't feel morally right to be overly joyous at someone's death.

again, yu havn't lived under a dictator, so wtf do you know about it??? nothing. you know NOTHING about it.

[Patrick]

No, but prisons need to be made tougher.

I think for crimes such as like the whole James Bulger thing or just pathetic and sick murders that really are disgusting, then the person should suffer ALOT more than someone who's in Jail for credit card fraud or something.

I think they should build an underground jail. Have different cells made out of thick bricks, and leave the person in their to rot - feeding them every so often.
None of this 'let them out for fresh air' or '3 meals a day' or 'lounge about on the playstation with the other inmates' bollocks.

Don't even put a toilet in the cell, just let them stay there until they eventually die.