# Florida's modern-day executions are too humane... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 13, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533 "2011-10-13T14:33:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/41 "2011-10-13T18:44:37Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > firing squad/hanging/stabbing is murder; tying someone up until they starve/die of septic shock is clearly torture I am very curious to see how you made _this_ distinction. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/42 "2011-10-13T18:44:49Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Am I the only one that really isn’t bothered by this? Remember, these are the people who our justice system has determined worthy of _death_. They (ignoring miscarriages of justice) did something truly horrific in order to deserve it. At that point, why be kind to them in dying? Why _shouldn’t_ they be killed in the most horrific way that doesn’t cross the line between murder and torture (firing squad/hanging/stabbing is murder; tying someone up until they starve/die of septic shock is clearly torture)? It makes it clear: “if you do this, you will not only die, but die _badly_” and really adds to the horror factor. I mean, not everyone is afraid of death, but nobody likes pain. Using the deterrent logic (which is what you seem to be implying is the benefit), we could also post their heads on pikes after the execution. And preempt broadcast channels to show the execution. Sure I’m engaging in slippery-slope, but your acceptance that dying ‘badly’ can be an acceptable evil seems arbitrary. (What is ‘badly,’ by the way? Painfully? In a way that leaves a mess for Mike Rowe to clean up?) Why do you draw the line on \*this \*side of torture? On the other hand, why do you draw the line on\* the other side\* of ‘dying badly’? Oh, and back on topic - has anybody mentioned burning at the stake? It’s crowd-friendly, and there’s not much cleanup. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/43 "2011-10-13T18:50:35Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Death is over too quickly. > > I prefer the idea letting them stew in their own guilt for as long as it takes for them to feel remorse and want to atone for what they did. Maybe they’ll get to a point where they beg for the opportunity and means to commit suicide – which will be denied, of course. And if guilt doesn’t take, soul-crushing boredom will be a fine second choice. > > Hey, just because I know that capital punishment is wrong (always and everywhere) doesn’t make me immune from an impulse to a _little_ vindictiveness. Serial killing sociopaths DO NOT FEEL GUILT! They often keep trophies of their kills and revisit their dumpsites. Ted Bundy used to revisit his corpses, wash their hair, put makeup on them, and then jerk off in their mouths. He also became a jailhouse lawyer to gain access to photos of his crime scenes so he could jerk off to them. Stop assuming sociopaths have your moral standards. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/44 "2011-10-13T19:06:26Z")
I oppose the death penalty, which is why I support this bozo. Killings shouldn’t be sanitized or turned into pseudo-medical procedures; killings are ugly, bloody and barbaric, and we shouldn’t delude ourselves into thinking they’re something else. So yeah, bring back the firing squads; in fact, bring back the guy with the hood and the axe. You know who tried making killing people more modern and efficient? The Nazis. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/45 "2011-10-13T19:08:26Z")
But non-sociopath serial killers _do_ feel guilt. Stop typing in all caps. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/46 "2011-10-13T19:27:29Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Using the deterrent logic (which is what you seem to be implying is the benefit), we could also post their heads on pikes after the execution. > > And preempt broadcast channels to show the execution. Yeah, that’d be part of it. > [@](#): > > Why do you draw the line on \*this \*side of torture? > > On the other hand, why do you draw the line on\* the other side\* of ‘dying badly’? > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I am very curious to see how you made _this_ distinction. Intuitively, and fairly illogically, I’ll admit. > [@tdn](#): > > Because we’re supposed to be a civilized society. Inflicting horrific pain should not be part of our justice system. Well obviously. As said, I’m not in favor of the death penalty. But I feel that if we cross that line, we could gain added utility by scaring the shit out of people. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/47 "2011-10-13T19:47:31Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Well obviously. As said, I’m not in favor of the death penalty. But I feel that if we cross that line, we could gain added utility by scaring the shit out of people. As **bup** said, it looks like you’re thinking of the DP as a deterrent. But I think that history has borne out that it is not. In fact I think it’s been shown (though I don’t have a cite) that the more bloody and public executions are, the more violent a society becomes. I believe that’s the reason why executions are no longer public. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/48 "2011-10-13T19:58:56Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > If we try hard enough, we might be able to sell Florida to the Seminoles. Anything to get them out of the USA. Why would a sports team want to buy a state? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/49 "2011-10-13T20:06:03Z")
I still think executions should be conducted by using them as organ donors. I think people will be a lot less tolerant of endless appeals and stays when a convicted murderer’s organs could save half a dozen lives. ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/50 "2011-10-13T20:10:20Z")
The firing squad is actually quick and painless. Or so I’ve heard. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/51 "2011-10-13T20:10:38Z")
[QUOTE=Joel Upchurch] I still think executions should be conducted by using them as organ donors. [/quote] Oh, that’s good. And if you just need something like tendons, or eyes, where it won’t kill the prisoner, you can keep those other organs like a heart or lungs ‘on the hoof’ until needed. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/52 "2011-10-13T20:11:45Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > The firing squad is actually quick and painless. Or so I’ve heard. Really? The dead guys told you that? How considerate. Find out where Blackbeard hid his gold for me while you’re at it. Fuck, you’re really stupid. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/53 "2011-10-13T20:17:35Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Really? The dead guys told you that? How considerate. I’m sure that there are ways to find out without asking the decedents. After all, how do we know that lethal injection is more painless than hanging? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/54 "2011-10-13T20:20:37Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > After all, how do we know that lethal injection is more painless than hanging? We do? ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/55 "2011-10-13T20:23:28Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I’m sure that there are ways to find out without asking the decedents. It stands to reason. Since people who have been shot and _not died_ report that it’s so painless… ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/56 "2011-10-13T20:25:59Z")
Somewhat related to an upthread post, IMO, the only guaranteed way to make sure an execution is painless is absolute, instantaneous destruction of the brain. Think, the aforementioned several thousand pound weight dropped on the head. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/57 "2011-10-13T20:27:00Z")
> [@bup](#): > > It stands to reason. Since people who have been shot and _not died_ report that it’s so painless… “Oh hell no. Nuthin’ to it. A 30.06 shell to the gut is like angel kisses on a sweet Spring morning.” ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/58 "2011-10-13T20:33:04Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > We do? Since it’s currently considered the most humane method, someone somewhere must have postulated that it was so. I have no idea what thought process led them to that conclusion, but I’d bet that they were wearing lab coats and being all sciency at the time. ---
**Author:** ![SeaCanary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SeaCanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaCanary)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/59 "2011-10-13T20:50:14Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > …or so says one Florida state legistaor, [who is introducing a bill in January to force death row inmates to choose between electrocution and the firing squad](http://news.yahoo.com/fla-lawmaker-wants-bring-back-firing-squads-110708935.html). He says letting them “go to sleep” with lethal injection allows 'em to “get off [too] easy.” > > \ > > Oh, Florida… This… > [@](#): > > “Just when you thought that public policy in Florida couldn’t get worse, along comes a state rep who develops proposed legislation from what he overhears at the Waffle House,” [Howard] Simon [executive director of the ACLU of Florida] said. “Given all that former members of the Florida Supreme Court and the American Bar Association have said about Florida’s broken death penalty system, including the nation’s highest number of exonerations, this would be embarrassing — if our legislature were capable of embarrassment.” I _love_ the Florida legislature. I’m **glad** they are part of the U.S. 😃 Going out on a limb here, I suspect Drake’s religion is of a fundamentalist Christianity kinda thing. I wonder if he considered crucifixion? ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533/60 "2011-10-13T20:59:39Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > I think if I could pick my own execution it would involve a several hundred ton weight being dropped on my head. > > Talk about dead before you know it. > > -Joe A death fantasy that comes up a couple times in \*Sandman \*involves “head crushed by an elephant’s foot while at the point of orgasm” (the guy orgasming, not the elephant. One hopes.) Sounds about right to me, although the logistics involved might be a problem. For one thing, there’d be a literal elephant in the room while one’s… busy. Very distracting, I should think. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-modern-day-executions-are-too-humane/599533.md?page=4)