Return Capital Punishment - ReCaP

I agree completely, Iano (2x in one day)The greatest argument for the death penalty is that one predisposed to murder may later be let out to perform more mayhem, if they were dead, then obviously they could not perform more mayhem. It has happened.The greatest argument against the death penalty is that an innocent person could be put to death. It has happened.Provided there was an actual punishment of life without hope of parole, the first argument would be rendered moot. It could happen.That's all it would take to render the death penalty unnecessary. Also, I am more comfortable with a state that does not seek to play God, as well as a God that does not seek to play state.

quote:

---

The danger of an innocent person being executed has 99% (if not 100%) been removed with the benefit of DNA.

---

Theoretically, speaking DNA testing could approach 100% accuracy. However, those DNA tests are run by humans, who occasionally make mistakes, are possibly open to bribery, and may have hidden agendas. The possibility of correcting such problems through multiple tests from different sources would, of course, go a long ways toward eliminating such errors. Such multiplicity of tests must be conducted and results not withheld before a death penalty conviction should be allowed, IMHO.

quote:

---

I am more comfortable with people who are prepared to make and act on difficult decisions for the protection of citizens who wish to go about their lawful activities in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

---

Personally, I would prefer not having a death penalty if possible, on the moral grounds of the state playing God. However, the primary duty of the state is to protect its citizens. If such a state proves incapable of permanantly isolating incorrigible murderers from the general populace, then I would have to view the death penalty, provided such convictions were way beyond reasonable doubt, as a viable means to fulfill the primary duty of the state.If the condition of guaranteed life without parole, including without escape, was implemented, I would be 100% against the death penalty. At the moment, the US has not quite met this condition, therefore, I am not quite 100% against. I agree completelly. Incidentally, I am a Libertarian, so I believe everyone on Earth has a right to say whatever they want provided by doing so they do not directly and immediately endanger life, limb, or property.

The media usually obtain their crime statistic information from the federal government. Here is where such information is consolidated in a government publication, the Statistical Abstract of the US, which is the most likely source of media figures:http://www.census.gov/prod/2005pubs/06statab/law.pdfThe first table, based upon information from the FBI, shows overall violent crime in the US has been declining since 1992 and overall property crime has been declining since 1989. The figures are as trustworthy as the source, which is the US federal government. Despite the source of the statistics, the decentralization of the information monopoly due to the internet, among other reasons such as whistleblower legislation and seperation of powers, generally prevents such figures from being manipulated beyond recognition.The media does not have the resources to compile their own nationwide statistics, and would probably be too lazy to if they did have such resources. Anyone who knows to obtain information from multiple sources from throughout the world would have a better idea of what is happening than someone who relies solely on US corporate-owned news, especially the propaganda mouthpieces of the current administration, such as Fox News and certain internet sites.Edited by anglagard, : grammar

quote:

---

This may be true, but you certainly do not see the media reporting that violent crime is at a 30 year low every other day, do you?

---

In my experience, it's usually once a year, when the annual statistics come out.

quote:

---

In fact, I don't think that most local and national network news worries about national trends that much; they just report as many arsons, sensational murders, shootings, and kidnappings as possible because it keeps people watching.

​

This gives the impression of crime being high.

---

Which in turn, provides fuel for draconian anti-crime measures, including the death penalty.Since you asked directly in response to my post, I felt compelled to answer. However, IMO if you want me to disagree with you, you're going to have to post something substantially worse than the last several hundred I have read.