1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

The Death Penalty

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by cardenal, Oct 23, 2007.

?

Do you agree with the death penalty?

  1. Yes, I do.

    40 vote(s)
    43.5%
  2. No, I don't.

    38 vote(s)
    41.3%
  3. I'm undecided.

    14 vote(s)
    15.2%
  1. cardenal

    cardenal Level III

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
    Messages:
    421
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    South Africa
    Do you agree with the death penalty? or do you think it is better for people to serve a life sentence[25 years] or multiple life sentences.
    If you agree with the death penalty, what crimes should warrant a death sentence?

    I am in two minds about this. it's pointless to waste tax-payers money, because some of them can't be rehabilitated. But some of them can, and I don't think its right to take someone elses life, no matter what they did, or how evil we think they are, but then you come back again to wasting taxpayers money that could be going towards low-cost housing and shelters...

    whats your take on this?
     
  2. natskaya

    natskaya Level III

    Joined:
    May 23, 2007
    Messages:
    468
    Likes Received:
    0
    While I personally might believe some people deserve to die for their crimes, I don't believe the government should be given the ability to decide who lives or dies.
     
  3. cardenal

    cardenal Level III

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
    Messages:
    421
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    South Africa
    ^ so who should decide?
     
  4. Virre

    Virre Level IV

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2006
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    63
    Location:
    Stockholm
    There are too many factors involved to support the death penalty.
    We can't always know if a person actually has committed the crime he was sentenced for, we can't always know his intention with the crime, we can't always know if he is mentally sane etc.
    And to kill the person would just be to lower yourself to his level.
    No, there is no actual support for the death penalty, because we always emphasize that a human life cannot be appreciated in money. Therefore, the reasoning that people that are locked up for life cost to much money, is not a correct statement.
     
  5. cardenal

    cardenal Level III

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
    Messages:
    421
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    South Africa
    I agree that you can't put a price on life, and on quality of life.
    My argument is that money that is going towards keeping these people in jail, with 3 meals a day, a shower, and blankets, could be going towards people who actually need and deserve these things.
    I would rather feed and clothe a beggar on the streets than someone who killed an entire family.
     
  6. Virre

    Virre Level IV

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2006
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    63
    Location:
    Stockholm
    One doesn't exclude the other.
    Most countries have enough means to do this, but they're not distributed accordingly.
    Becoming politically active is the best way to put pressure on politicians, there are also several groups you can support which help poor people. Find a local one and join them. =)
     
  7. cardenal

    cardenal Level III

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
    Messages:
    421
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    South Africa
    I'm already a member of a few organisations aimed at helping the community :D . I love the work I do, but it does break your heart sometimes.

    I don't think I could really agree to the death penalty, but because I see so much poverty, especially down here, I think I'm a little biased

    There are also a few countries who are critically in debt, and can't even afford to keep the people in jail, which is why some jails are so overcrowded and not well kept.
     
  8. Virre

    Virre Level IV

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2006
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    63
    Location:
    Stockholm
    Awesome that you're part of the solution! :D
    I also try to do what I can, but when you're young your means are often limited.
    I think higher taxes would help.

    That's true, but if other countries helped out more, a solution could probably be reached.
     
  9. cardenal

    cardenal Level III

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
    Messages:
    421
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    South Africa
    Countries are usually loathe to part with their money, and the countries that do have money aren't usually smart with it. They're more interested in [like SA] building a brand-spanking new stadium for 2010. or, they pay upwards of R4000 to train us as medics, then, instead of using us, they pay city workers overtime to do a job that we would have done for free

    As the saying goes: The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.

    Higher taxes might help, but we pay so much tax alread [40%]. And then there's the tax-evaders.
    There are so many factors involved, it seems like such an impossible problem.
     
  10. Angelika

    Angelika Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,905
    Likes Received:
    36
    Location:
    <(^_^)>
    Well I'm sure being in prison isn't a party, and there is so much money that the governments wastes (in America, at least) on pointless things like viagra that could be put to better use...better money managing skills by the stupid government could help the needy a lot more than killing all the prisoners.

    I disagree completely with the death penalty. Personally, I'd rather die than be locked up in a little room with only 20 minutes outside my cell forever. Having a murderer put to death isn't going to bring the person(s) he killed back to life.

    Plus, there are so many cases of false imprisonments. What happens if that innocent person is executed? You can't replace a life.
     
  11. kolby998

    kolby998 Level I

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2007
    Messages:
    120
    Likes Received:
    0
    im all for it bcause bieng lcked up is a worse punishment
     
  12. peanutpunk

    peanutpunk Level II

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2007
    Messages:
    227
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Dallas,TX
    Damn America [​IMG]

    Grow some balls!!!! Do you really need murderers, rapist and child molesters!?

    I thought this was common sense!?

    *mimicking voice*

    But peanut, it's wrong to kill a human being

    :| :| :| *SLAP*

    newsflash.. how the hell do you think they got the death penalty!?

    and can some one please explain to me, HOW IS THE LETHAL INJECTION CRUEL????

    it's one of them best ways to die!!!!! I would be happy, even consider myself LUCKY, if

    i got the luxury of dieing in my sleep... IT'S PAINLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



    so in conclusion... yea

    I'm Pro Penalty

    GO TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  13. natskaya

    natskaya Level III

    Joined:
    May 23, 2007
    Messages:
    468
    Likes Received:
    0
    "Opponents of lethal injection believe that it is not actually humane as practiced in the United States. Opponents argue that the thiopental is an ultra-short acting barbiturate that may wear off (anesthesia awareness) and lead to consciousness and an excruciatingly painful death wherein the inmate is unable to express their pain because they have been rendered paralyzed by the paralytic agent." A 30 second google search can tell you that lethal injection is not necessarily an ideal way to die.
     
  14. Virre

    Virre Level IV

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2006
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    63
    Location:
    Stockholm
    I do not agree with you. I want to be aware of when I die.
    One of the strongest feelings is pain, therefore I would like to experience a really painful death.
    I'd like to feel alive the last thing I do, before I pass away.
    Having this said, I do not like pain in any other way, and I'd prefer to only feel it at the time of my death.
     
  15. peanutpunk

    peanutpunk Level II

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2007
    Messages:
    227
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Dallas,TX
    if it's not humane then why do they kill dogs the same way and then call that humane??
    how would they know if it wears off if they've never tried it for themselves... and in average
    the leathal injection takes a couple of minutes
     
  16. peanutpunk

    peanutpunk Level II

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2007
    Messages:
    227
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Dallas,TX
    wow...

    why do i find that sad? not trying to be mean... but really that just sounds masochist to me
    id rather go quick and painless... and if ur tied up to a bed and with needles attached to you
    how could you not know that you are about to die.
     
  17. Virre

    Virre Level IV

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2006
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    63
    Location:
    Stockholm
    Exactly where did I state that I was into bdsm or anything like it?
    Why do you find it sad?
    Is it sad to want to feel alive, the last thing you do before you experience death? No, it's like having that last ciggarette before you stop smoking.
    Stop jumping to conclusions, ask before you make an assumption.

    I said that I wish for such a death. This does not mean that other wishes for it.
     
  18. Phee

    Phee Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2007
    Messages:
    6,206
    Likes Received:
    101
    Virre, I don't think peanut meant to offend you, don't open your mouth before thinking.

    You said you wanted an excruciating death, and the topic being discussed was concerning how lethal injection was very painful. By saying you wanted a painful death, it's very understandable that Peanut interpreted you wrongly.

    Anyways, I don't believe in the death penalty. Natskaya summed up my beliefs completely- some people do deserve to die for what they have done, but the government, or anyone else for that matter, has no right to make that decision. I think the only person who has the true authority to decide whether or not a person deserves life or not is the person who gave him life, God.

    But that's just my personal beliefs and I hope this wont lead to arguing as opposed to debating.
     
  19. Virre

    Virre Level IV

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2006
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    63
    Location:
    Stockholm
    Actually, I was aware that it might be misinterpreted, and that's why I added "Having this said, I do not like pain in any other way, and I'd prefer to only feel it at the time of my death."
    It's quite hard to misinterpret that.

    edit; Sorry for the off topic.
     
  20. peanutpunk

    peanutpunk Level II

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2007
    Messages:
    227
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Dallas,TX
    :| :| :|
    wow... people nowadays really have short fuses...

    any way back to the subject.

    like i said im pro penalty but it has to be proven.. my uncle once was framed for murder,
    but was proven innocent, so he didn't get the penalty. And they should get rid of plea
    bargains, i hate them i really really do.