Death Penalty Poll

[IceG]

We debate alot of topics here. I thought it would be useful to give some people the chance to vote on it.

Facts you should know:

Canada: we have not executed anyone since 1962 when 2 were hanged last in Toronto. Parliament had debates and changed the death penalty to only apply to murders of on-duty police and prison guards (the logic i personally disagree with as i find a torturing/raping/murdering pedophile more deserving than some gangbanger that shoots a cop, but not my call on that) until 1968.

There was a further exception in that the Military could excute for treason from 1968-1976, but it was not used.

Therefore, officially, in 1976, Canada had no FORMS of death penalties left after the National Defence Act death penalty was abolished along with the cop killer exceptions.

In the U.S., currently there are 38 states WITH the death penalty and obviously 12 without. Many states do not execute, but Texas executes the most per year. California has about 680 people on death row right now.


The studies on the deterrence "effect" of the death penalty are inconclusive at best.

I believe that it should apply for CERTAIN cases such as REPEAT pedophile rapist/torturers/who eventually murder children. I have read the bible, Old and New Testaments and I understand "Thou shalt not kill", but it is hard to forgive those who would harm children and then take their lives.

 

[IceG]

Worldwide...

in the world overall, approximately 76 countries HAVE a death Penalty (some only on limited crimes) remember also, some of these countries do not enforce the sentence.

conversely, about 120 countries DO NOT have the death penalty as of 2005.

 

[tom25]

I like the poll, but would have preferred it without the various biblical references.

I don't think voting against the death penalty has anything to do with forgiveness. I strongly believe that the justice system should have a significant aspect of retribution to it. So I'm opposed to capital punishment, but I don't see that as necessarily meaning forgive everyone.

It seems to me that jail should be a sufficient punishment for virtually any crime. But when a 5 year sentence means you get out after 18 months ... guess what, it doesn't work.

Tom

 

[maverick73]

We debate alot of topics here. I thought it would be useful to

I believe that it should apply for CERTAIN cases such as REPEAT pedophile rapist/torturers/who eventually murder children. I have read the bible, Old and New Testaments and I understand "Thou shalt not kill", but it is hard to forgive those who would harm children and then take their lives.

Yes, it is hard to forgive, but forgive we must. If they can be kept locked up and we can prevent them from harming others, then that is the course of action we should take. Yes, it costs a lot more, but by killing a killer, we are no better than them. Keep in mind a pedophile rapist/killer is generally not born, he is usually created due to some not so normal experiences in his lifetime. The death penalty is not a detterent. I question whether potential murderers take into consideration whether the death penalty applies in their country/state or not when they plan a murder. In my opinion, life in prison is the harsher of the 2 sentences. Death is the easy way out, and many murderers seem to agree, preferring to take their own lives going out in a blaze of glory than face justice.

 

[LonelyGhost]

maverick,

no one knows what 'makes' a pedophile, but there is overwhelming evidence that there is no 'cure' ... while a life in prison may seem a suitable deterent and punishment, it is costly and ineffecient and if one gets out it is 100% certain that kids are in harms way again.

as well. i think that people who get the 'dangerous offender' label should be lined up as well ... they have proven to enough experts that they are a danger to everyone and get rid of them.

the rest have some hope and should be given another chance until they end up in one of the categories above.

as for the 'we are no better than them' routine, give it a rest: we and their victims have not committed these heinous acts and we are therefore better than them and have a right to decide their fate as they decided the fate of others.

 

[check]

justice

Justice is not justice until it is SEEN as justice. Therefore Public execution is the way it should be. Then the death penalty would definitely be a deterrant. these bleeding hearts do180 degrees when they have something happen to them or theirs. I have seen it happen many times. Definately an advocate of capitol punishment except in cases where circumstantial evidence is skimpy.

 

[IceG]

Murder sentences in Canada...

a First or second degree murder conviction in Canada carries an automatic life sentence, BUT the sentence in years effectively is:

First degree: (ie. planned and deliberate on a civilian, but no planning or deliberation required for a first degree conviction if you murder a cop, prison guard, or prison employee, OR NEW AMENDMENT TO CODE - commiting terrorist activity, murder for the benefit of criminal organization) the sentencing judge cannot allow any parole consideration for the first 25 years of the life sentence.


Second degree: any murder that is not a first degree murder as above. the sentencing judge has a discretion to allow parole consideration after 10-25 years have been served. judge picks that number based on sentecing hearing.

 

[mustangjoe]

I say fry the fuckers.
FRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[eljudo]

Just like everything else in life, everything has a price. From democracy, to the E.I benefits you get when you are unemployed..

Buying some cheap ass sneakers at your local kmart has a price too!. Poor underfed, overworked asian workers on the other side of the world breaks their back for a mere bucks in order for you to dress up sexy and cheap at your next poon visit.

Capital punishment also demands a price. The price of innocent people killed while being presumsed guilty of a crime. I , do admit, that I am willing to admit and pay the price if it helps society.

If a killer or potential serial killer can be taken out with the electric chair I am all for it. My hearts bleeds in disgust when I hear on the news that so and so, a known bad ass criminal has comitted such and such murder! why? I ask, was he taken out, or be in jail for that matter?

Put the justice to work toward common folks and not criminals. It seems that criminals gets fair treatment more than the victims..

where else can you get the following for free?

Gym
food
tv
clothing
etc, etc?

In Jail!

 

[luckydog71]

I voted, but the person who worded the questions was fishing for answers that match his.

 

[maverick73]

maverick,
as for the 'we are no better than them' routine, give it a rest: we and their victims have not committed these heinous acts and we are therefore better than them and have a right to decide their fate as they decided the fate of others.

I agree we are better than them, but as to having a "RIGHT" to decide their fate just because they decided the fate of others, I don't know about that one. I respect your opinion, but we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[The Lizard King]

From an earlier post of mine...

With DNA testing now available, some cases shouldn't even get to trial. If it's put before a judge with sufficient DNA and associated evidence...wham, bam..case over and you get the chair. No lawyers, no court costs, and no incarceration costs. Do you realize that it costs taxpayers an average $48,000 each year for guy in a federal prison and up to $80,000 to keep a scumbag like Paul Bernardo or Clifford Olsen. So bring back the death penalty and roast the Bernardo's, Olsen's, the Pickton's, and the scumbag in Florida who killed that little girl. Fuck 'em.

Guess about my vote....

 

[Willie263]

Punishment to fit the Crime

Did I read that somewhere in the middle east, they were removing the hands of thieves, sounds like a good idea to me.

Think of all the body parts we've got to work with, fingers, toes, eyes, ears, tongues, noses, hands and feet, arms and legs. Someone just has to come up with the number of suitable parts to remove to fit the crime...

Now this would not only give new surgeons 'on the job training' but we should be able to recycle some of the parts and give them to some deserving souls.

Examples:

Ohhhh, you shouldn't have done that - 2 toes and 1 finger....

Well, you really shouldn't have done that - 1 foot and an ear...

We don't want you doing that ever again - left leg, right hand, right eye...

And we could always bring back forehead branding too.

 

[BushPilot]

I voted 'no' on the death penalty, and not for reasons of forgiveness or religion. I think that Donald Marshall, David Milgaard, and Guy Paul Morin would gratefully agree with me on this one.

 

[nowayjose]

It is not a deterrent to others but it is a deterrent to the one who is executed. He/She will never commit another crime and the families of victims and / or any surviving victims can sleep a little easier at night knowing that.

 

[HankQuinlan]

The wording of the poll is leading; I can't agree with any of them. I am against the death penalty for many reasons --- but it doesn't mean that I have to forgive some evil prick.

 

[maverick73]

It is not a deterrent to others but it is a deterrent to the one who is executed. He/She will never commit another crime and the families of victims and / or any surviving victims can sleep a little easier at night knowing that.

It's technically not a deterrent because somebody that is dead cannot be deterred from doing something. It's a guarantee he won't commit another crime because he's dead.

 

[Fudd]

I was very temped to vote yes but with limitations as I found recent crimes I've read about to be very evil. But the better part of me voted no. A civilized society should not be resorting to such barbaric actions.

 

[Sunset]

All Killing is Wrong

I voted NO, not because of forgiving them but due to the fact that we run the risk of the government killing an innocent person. Government sponsored killing is the easy way out and doesn't motivate us to deal more effectively with issues that cause the behaviors that will lead to continued killing.

Civilized, meaning living at peace is best achieved by practicing it, and not by practicing government killing to get a quick means of emotional gratification. We should keep killers locked up for the rest of their natural lives and accept the fact it may cost more financially. The exercise of killing at any level is the most pronouced attack on our souls, singularly if commited a person and collectively if commited by our government. Who locks us up for wrongful government sponsored killing of an innocent person?

 

[IceG]

unbelievable whiners here

For all of you who disagree with my wording, just put your fvcking position down and explain your vote.

i am not "fishing" or leading anyone. i anticipate you are bright enough to espouse your own vote.

for example, if you are NOT RELIGIOUS, BUT don't believe in a death penalty, then just say it.

If you believe there is another option than the 3 listed, then write in that vote.

if you believe they should execute without a trial then say it.

or if you really feel the "wording" is so leading, then abstain.

this place is such a joke sometimes.