Thread: Utah inmate to be killed by firing squad

While I agree with forced prison-labour, I don't think it's fair to pigeon-hole all prisoners as "bastards."

Originally Posted by DeeryTheDeer

What about the family who grieves for the victim who was murdered? Seriously??

They too are a major consideration. I never said otherwise. It's a complicated issue. That is why I have been going back and forth on the issue for about thirty years.

By the way, you just took a conservative position and argued against my liberal position. Did you ever think the day would come?

If you need a man to die in order for you to be happy, I don't see how you're any different from the murderer him self.

I agree with Spartiate.

I am against the death penalty, but only because I think inmates suffer more by being locked up. If you ask me, forcing the most heinous criminals out of life is an act of mercy. What I'd like to see is a torture penalty for the unfixable fucked up types whose guilt is obvious.

Originally Posted by Black_Eagle

I agree with Spartiate.

I am against the death penalty, but only because I think inmates suffer more by being locked up. If you ask me, forcing the most heinous criminals out of life is an act of mercy. What I'd like to see is a torture penalty for the unfixable fucked up types whose guilt is obvious.

You serious? Who arbitrates this torture to keep it from getting out of hand? More importantly, wouldn't this be pure barbarism on behalf of the implementing country? And what is to be gained? They are unfixable, what good can come from this situation except for some perverse sense of satisfaction?

Well of course something like that could never be implemented in our imperfect system.

If we're trying to punish criminals, I can see no better way to do so with the really bad ones.

Really, what is the role of the penal system? Are we trying to punish criminals or remove them from society?

Old fashioned? Well, you can give him 100$ worth of lethal chemicals, possibly taking several hours to find a suitable point for injection, or you can put a bullet in the back of his head and be done with it. I mean, if you've got to kill them, that seems like a reasonable way to go about it. I know that's not a firing SQUAD, but it just seems logical to me.

Not that I'm for the death penalty, but I don't see it going away anytime in the forseeable future. All things considered, I think Spart hit the nail right on the head.

Originally Posted by Black_Eagle

Well of course something like that could never be implemented in our imperfect system.

If we're trying to punish criminals, I can see no better way to do so with the really bad ones.

Really, what is the role of the penal system? Are we trying to punish criminals or remove them from society?

The role of the penal system is to protect the people and better our lives. It isn't revenge. And it isn't to be cruel.

Originally Posted by Marvo

If you need a man to die in order for you to be happy, I don't see how you're any different from the murderer him self.

There is a night and day difference between an instigator and a retaliator. I don't think you or anybody else is above the potential for the will for revenge. It is in all of us.

It was always my personal belief that those who murder should be murdered. But now that Ive talked it over with my friend I consider it far more logical to have those who would spend life in prison, or have they're lives taken from them as a result of they're crime, be used rather to benefit society. Do basic essential work for the betterment of all. They wouldn't be worked to death or anything dont get my wrong, its a logical alternative to a retributive system that helps society where the retributive justice system doesn't.

Originally Posted by spockman

The role of the penal system is to protect the people and better our lives. It isn't revenge. And it isn't to be cruel.

And how does it protect people? By removing them from society and putting them in an unpleasant place. Tell me, do you think scaling the level of unpleasantness deters crime?

Originally Posted by Black_Eagle

And how does it protect people? By removing them from society and putting them in an unpleasant place. Tell me, do you think scaling the level of unpleasantness deters crime?

Depends on to what degree. Forced labor? I can go with that. But systemized torture for murderers? I don't think it would. At least, not significantly enough to make it worth it. A barbaric nation cannot expect it's barbarism to inspire peace and stability. Unless you take it even farther and have some Stalinist state.

Just like how capital punishment has never been definitively linked to deterrence.