State Execution in the USA

Was going to post this yesterday, but the topic hadn't been promoted yet.My initial reaction was, "How is asphyxiation, by any means, not cruel, unusual and inhumane?"But looking into it, it is brain's detection of the buildup of carbon dioxide that causes the irresistible urge to breath. We've all experienced this when holding our breath.But there is no carbon dioxide buildup as long as we continue to inhale and exhale, and the brain has no mechanism for detecting a lack of oxygen, so there are no signals that the air you're breathing has insufficient oxygen. Canaries were used in mines to detect bad air because they are more sensitive to the lack of oxygen than humans and would pass out first. So if miners could be rendered unconscious by bad air without being aware anything was amiss, the same should be true for an execution.But that's just me fact checking stuff. I don't believe this means of execution (or any means, for that matter) have been sufficiently researched to prove that they are not inhumane.--Percy

The state of Alabama has executed Kenneth Eugene Smith by means of nitrogen gas. According to the article, Mr. Smith did not just peacefully become unconscious as had been claimed:

The Independent:

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His religious adviser Reverend Jeff Hood, who witnessed the execution, told reporters what he saw was a man “struggling for their life” for a staggering 22 minutes.

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Alabama authorities insist the execution went to plan, despite predicting the untested method would lead to unconsciousness within seconds and death in minutes.

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But, witnesses said Smith appeared conscious for several minutes, shaking and writhing on the gurney.

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“We didn’t see somebody go unconscious in 30 seconds,” said Rev Hood. “What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life.”

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Smith’s death came after the US Supreme Court denied a final, 11th-hour bid to stay of execution. The ruling received dissent from Justice Sonia Sotomayor who wrote that the state had selected Smith as a “guinea pig” by using the untested method.

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According to other articles I've read, the burden is on the executionee to prove a method inhumane, not on state authorities to prove it humane. They could sentence someone to burning at the stake and it would happen unless the victim appeals that it is inhumane. This seems completely backward.--Percy

I couldn't find this requirement at Ala. Code § 15-18-82 or Ala. Code § 15-18-82.1, but maybe it's in another part of the code? Much of these parts of the code are concerned with constitutionality. Or maybe it's a federal requirement? If the executionee being conscious and aware is the law then that seems, in and of itself, cruel.In the Alabama case, because the prisoner is unconscious at the moment of death, the moment of actual execution, which with nitrogen hypoxia apparently occurs about 20 minutes after the air supply is changed to nitrogen, I think this might not fulfill a requirement of consciousness and awareness.--Percy

Just to be clear, you're saying that the taking of a life is wrong and that the punishment should involve the taking of another life.--Percy

Obviously untrue. For some strange reason known only to yourself you're denying the position you've taken. Here's a fuller quote of what was said: This question of your first sentence, and your questions in other messages, are rhetorical, not inquisitive. Any doubt that you have a position is removed by your argument in the following paragraph. You may as well attempt to argue, "Well wouldn't that be stupid?" is just a question and not a statement. Using a style that phrases arguments as questions doesn't turn them into actual questions. You clearly have a position and an opinion and are not "asking a question."Here's another example: You're obviously arguing against preserving life and favoring fatal punishments.So, again, just to be clear, which I know you like to avoid, you're saying that the taking of a life is wrong and that the punishment should involve the taking of another life.--Percy

If this is your actual position, rehabilitation and restitution, in other words, if you actually agree with everyone here, then why all the rhetorical hand grenades urging the ultimate punishment?--Percy

Casting aspersions like "throwing money at the problem" is just political rhetoric, empty criticism taking the place of informed analysis.--Percy

If you'd like to know why people share your beliefs to see if they give the same reasons you would then you should just ask. Asking rhetorical questions that are actually arguments for the opposite of what you believe is perverse.--Percy

And added to the ranks of the homeless.--Percy

The government takes care of victims? Who knew! Gee, you make prison sound like a swell time, and you didn't even have to mention conjugal visits! So you want the government to remove criminals from society so that they can no longer prey upon its citizens, but you don't want to pay for it. Was it okay that they used tax money for roads and bridges and schools and so forth, or don't you want to pay for that, either?--Percy

No it's not. It's called, "Something ICANT made up." I'm in favor of anything that works. Are there any countries in the world where something along these lines is being employed? Interesting. So how would a system work where people select which government agencies and programs they're willing to fund with their tax money? Don't we already have such a system where *our* elected representatives decide how to spend *our* tax money?Leprechauns Bless!--Percy

I didn't say you did. I said you made up that the government takes care of the victims of crime. I asked you if any country in the world is providing something along the lines of what you described and you cite the United States, the very country you just said you didn't like how they did things. This is contradictory. You just cited the U.S. as a top performer. You're being contradictory again. That's not how representative government works. In addition to your vote there are many opportunities to provide feedback to your representatives, sometimes even in person.Leprechauns Bless!--Percy

A search of your posts reveals you never used the word loss in any form in reference to victims of crimes. Then let's try again, this time filling in the correct answer to my question: Leprechauns Bless!--Percy

Sure you did, right here, which is where this digression began: There's no point in denying that you said something when it's right there in the thread. First you say the US tops the list, now it's Germany and Russia? You are literally all over the place. I'll pass.I think we can all agree that the prison system in the U.S. could use significant reforms.--Percy