Death Penalty

[web_norah]

i was just reading about the Tennessee guy and was curious what people's thoughts were --cruel? does it serve a purpose? are you for it?

Philip Workman has prepared to die three times before.

Next week, the convicted killer is prepared to face execution for a fourth time, to say goodbye to his daughter again, give away his belongings, and once again eat his final meal.

And he'll wait to see if a court will again step in before the needle pierces his skin.

Workman, 53, has spent half his life in a death row cell in Nashville's Riverbend Prison, ever since his conviction in 1982 for killing a Memphis police officer in a botched armed robbery at a Wendy's restaurant.

On Sunday, Tennessee prison guards will lock him in an isolated cell with a small window overlooking the prison yard, beginning three days of "Death Watch."

[JMT]

cruel? cruel is drowning someone, stabbing them, burning them to death, strangling them, shooting them for 20 bucks, etc.

a needle in the arm is a day at the beach in comparison.

[pod]

In theory, I'm for it. However, the way it is implemented now is not the way it should be. Not to sound cruel, but if it is to be done, get it over with. But make damn sure you're putting the right person down.

[coach]

I've never understood punishment that isn't "cruel". If it isn't cruel, how is it punishment? And "unusual" is even stranger. I mean, unusual just means something that isn't done every day. So that means if we beat our prisoners with bamboo canes, then by definition, it would not be "unusual".

[tres-b]

I am with pod. In theory, I am for the death penalty. Unfortunately, the way the system currently works is flawed. It is likely that somewhere along the way, innocents were convicted and ultimately put to death. This is not acceptable.

[yume]

Also in favor. But be damn sure it's the right person.

[endymion]

Originally Posted by tres-b

somewhere along the way, innocents were convicted and ultimately put to death. This is not acceptable.

The death penalty results in manslaughter.

Taking a person's life is serious business. If you make even one mistake then you just committed manslaughter and killed an innocent person. Therefore, no. Opposed to the death penalty on the grounds that all humans are fallible.

[clubchicky]

Originally Posted by Yume

Also in favor. But be damn sure it's the right person.

I agree, it better be the right person...that being said, the punishments in this country are not severe enough....and take too long to be executed...

[pod]

In a sci-fi novel that I read once, the death penalty was abolished in the US, to be substituted with a system of putting people in chemically-induced comas. Basic concept was that they're always asleep, so no need for cells and such, and feeding was intravenous. If they were innocent, wake 'em up and let 'em go. If they're guilty, then let 'em die in their sleep.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by pod

In a sci-fi novel that I read once, the death penalty was abolished in the US, to be substituted with a system of putting people in chemically-induced comas. Basic concept was that they're always asleep, so no need for cells and such, and feeding was intravenous. If they were innocent, wake 'em up and let 'em go. If they're guilty, then let 'em die in their sleep.

kinda like the cryo-freezing in Demolition Man.