Bean, I think it’s somewhat disingenuous to classify my position as “property crime gets the needle”, but whatever. I believe that the death penalty should be an option for a much wider array of crimes not because I’m bloodthirsty, and it’s not because I don’t value human life-I do, and highly. I just don’t believe that this value is limitless. I view it more like a bank account, by your actions you can 'spend" the value that your life has and once it’s gone you’re worthless. If you’re worthless, what’s the point in keeping you around? You’ve wasted your life, why should I care if you get the needle? It just leaves more resources for the rest of us, you know, the ones who didn’t machine gun 2 kids in a hotel lobby to prevent them from testifying against you in court (that’s what the next guy scheduled to die here in Md. did-not what you, whole bean did. I hope. ).
At the same time, because I do value life and because the taking of said life is the ultimate punishment that a society can administer, I think that if the prosecution decides that it is going to seek the DP, than the state should provide the dependent, at the state’s expense, an O.J. type defense team. If the state’s trying to kill you, you get Johnny Cochran on your side. (I would shorten the process though. You get a trial, and automatic appeal, and a shot at the Supremes taking your case, but if all those fail, you’re riding the gurney the next day.) Under my system I think the DP would be used a lot less than under the current one, because the state is not going to spend millions and millions of dollars for your defense except in the most extreme circumstances, even if it was available as an option in more instances, and those extreme circumstances would be cases where most people would admit that the criminal truly deserves to die.
So there. Not quite so bloodthirsty as you might have thought, eh?
Bean, I think it’s somewhat disingenuous to classify my position as “property crime gets the needle”, but whatever. I believe that the death penalty should be an option for a much wider array of crimes not because I’m bloodthirsty, and it’s not because I don’t value human life-I do, and highly. I just don’t believe that this value is limitless. I view it more like a bank account, by your actions you can 'spend" the value that your life has and once it’s gone you’re worthless. If you’re worthless, what’s the point in keeping you around? You’ve wasted your life, why should I care if you get the needle? It just leaves more resources for the rest of us, you know, the ones who didn’t machine gun 2 kids in a hotel lobby to prevent them from testifying against you in court (that’s what the next guy scheduled to die here in Md. did-not what you, whole bean did. I hope. ).
At the same time, because I do value life and because the taking of said life is the ultimate punishment that a society can administer, I think that if the prosecution decides that it is going to seek the DP, than the state should provide the dependent, at the state’s expense, an O.J. type defense team. If the state’s trying to kill you, you get Johnny Cochran on your side. (I would shorten the process though. You get a trial, and automatic appeal, and a shot at the Supremes taking your case, but if all those fail, you’re riding the gurney the next day.) Under my system I think the DP would be used a lot less than under the current one, because the state is not going to spend millions and millions of dollars for your defense except in the most extreme circumstances, even if it was available as an option in more instances, and those extreme circumstances would be cases where most people would admit that the criminal truly deserves to die.
So there. Not quite so bloodthirsty as you might have thought, eh?
Well, you’re welcome, but I think it’s worthwhile to acknowledge Miller, dominic, etc. who have also commented with honesty. (I’m not sure any of us are commenting with courage–it’s a frickin messageboard, not a police state). I learn more from the folks who disagree well with me than from the folks who agree with me.
I really didn’t mean to suggest that you’re bloodthirsty, and I appreciate the explanation. I’m not anywhere near agreeing with you, but ok, that’s cool.
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