# Judicial Killing- Newspapers launch lawsuit to force disclosure of methods **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 15, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534 "2014-05-15T17:13:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/21 "2014-05-16T06:30:54Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > 'Fraid not. Execute meaning “to condemn to death” [predates the other meaning;](http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=execution) Cherry picking here? > **[execute | Etymology of execute by etymonline](https://www.etymonline.com/word/execute)** > > "to carry into effect" (transitive, mostly in law with reference to warrants, sentences,… See origin and meaning of execute. execute (v.) late 14c., “to carry into effect,” from Old French executer (14c.), from Medieval Latin executare, from Latin execut-/exsecut-, past participle stem of exequi/exsequi “to follow out” (see execution). Meaning “to inflict capital punishment” is from late 15c. > **[execution | Etymology of execution by etymonline](https://www.etymonline.com/word/execution)** > > "a carrying out, a putting into effect; enforcement; performance (of a law, statute,… See origin and meaning of execution. execution (n.) Look up execution at [Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com) late 14c., “carrying out, putting into effect; enforcement; performance (of an act), the carrying out (of a plan, etc.),” from Anglo-French execucioun (late 13c.), Old French execucion “a carrying out” (of an order, etc.), from Latin executionem (nominative executio) “an accomplishing,” noun of action from past participle stem of exequi/exsequi “to follow out,” from ex- “out” (see ex-) + sequi “follow” (see sequel). Sense of “act of putting to death” (mid-14c.) is from Middle English legal phrases such as don execution of deth “carry out a sentence of death.” Literal meaning “action of carrying something into effect” is from late 14c. John McKay, coach of the woeful Tampa Bay Buccaneers (U.S. football team), when asked by a reporter what he thought of his team’s execution, replied, “I think it would be a good idea.” Executor and executioner were formerly used indifferently, because both are carrying out legal orders. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/22 "2014-05-16T07:11:24Z")
> [@Pjen](#): > > Euphemisms mislead You said it. ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/23 "2014-05-16T09:09:08Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > You said it. Euphemisms like Capital Punishment, Department of Corrections and Executions Euphemism derives from ‘easier and more pleasant to say.’ Judicial killing, Department of Killing Felons and Legal poisoning are NOT euphemisms but direct descriptions of what happens. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/24 "2014-05-16T10:43:55Z")
> [@Pjen](#): > > Judicial killing, Department of Killing Felons and Legal poisoning are NOT euphemisms but direct descriptions of what happens. Cute. Please demonstrate the existence of a “Department of Killing Felons”. ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/25 "2014-05-16T11:22:22Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Cute. Please demonstrate the existence of a “Department of Killing Felons”. Any State or federal facility designed to pump poisons into felons’ bloodstreams. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/26 "2014-05-16T12:36:35Z")
> [@Pjen](#): > > Another spoke in the wheel of Judicial Killing! > > Every move makes maintaining the system less likely. Actually, spokes make wheels stronger. Thought you’d like to know. 🙂 Oh, and [Kenneth McDuff.](http://www.executedtoday.com/2010/11/17/1998-kenneth-allen-mcduff-texas-nightmare/) [And friends](http://www.wesleylowe.com/repoff.html). ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/27 "2014-05-16T12:52:54Z")
The fact of the matter is that “execution” in this context is obviously killing, so it’s silly to pretend it’s some softening euphemism. And “Death State” is just bad - it makes me think of what a strident anti-abortionist would call a place that allows abortion. Just say Death Penalty State. No confusion. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/28 "2014-05-16T12:53:39Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Actually, spokes make wheels stronger. Rosa Parks was a spoke in the wheel of Civil Rights Protests, in case anyone is wondering. We’ll see how this law suite goes, but the death penalty is still too popular in the US to snuff out just yet. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/29 "2014-05-16T12:57:08Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > The fact of the matter is that “execution” in this context is obviously killing, so it’s silly to pretend it’s some softening euphemism. And “Death State” is just bad - it makes me think of what a strident anti-abortionist would call a place that allows abortion. Just say Death Penalty State. No confusion. A majority of Texans would maybe okay switching to _“We’re a firing-squad state.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/30 "2014-05-16T15:20:26Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > The fact of the matter is that “execution” in this context is obviously killing, so it’s silly to pretend it’s some softening euphemism. And “Death State” is just bad - it makes me think of what a strident anti-abortionist would call a place that allows abortion. Just say Death Penalty State. No confusion. For what it’s worth, anti-abortionists do often refer to America and other countries with abortion rights as a ‘Culture of Death.’ I rather like the term myself. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/31 "2014-05-16T15:23:40Z")
Well, for all I know Pjen is an anti-abortionist and doesn’t mind the association caused by his odd terminology. ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/32 "2014-05-16T15:24:26Z")
For what it’s worth, at present I believe the death penalty should be reserved for treason and other political crimes, not for common rapes and murders, which would right away get rid of the majority of death penalty convictions in America. Reading this stuff though- or for that matter chatting with anti death penalty activists- tends to make me much less sympathetic to the abolitionist cause, not more so. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/33 "2014-05-16T15:26:31Z")
Seriously? You think death penalty is best reserved for political crimes rather than evil violence? That’s kind of odd to me. Like loyalty to the State is more important than respect of Human life. ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/34 "2014-05-16T15:31:39Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Actually, spokes make wheels stronger. > > Thought you’d like to know. 🙂 > > Oh, and [Kenneth McDuff.](http://www.executedtoday.com/2010/11/17/1998-kenneth-allen-mcduff-texas-nightmare/) > > [And friends](http://www.wesleylowe.com/repoff.html). SPoke in the wheel refers to a broken spoke causing the other to break when clashing with the wheel and cart. Thought you’d like to know. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/35 "2014-05-16T15:40:13Z")
In North America I think the equivalent is “a stick in the spokes”, which makes a lot more sense imho. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/36 "2014-05-16T16:21:06Z")
> [@Hector\_St\_Clare](#): > > For what it’s worth, at present I believe the death penalty should be reserved for treason and other political crimes, not for common rapes and murders, which would right away get rid of the majority of death penalty convictions in America. Reading this stuff though- or for that matter chatting with anti death penalty activists- tends to make me much less sympathetic to the abolitionist cause, not more so. Since the 1970s rape has not been a capital crime in any state. Now it rape could be an aggravating factor in a murder that would make it a capital crime but rape itself is not punishable by death. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/37 "2014-05-16T16:23:27Z")
And while I don’t always agree with Pjen I do think he’s right about one thing. I don’t think most Americans will be comfortable with hanging or firing squads as a method of execution these days. ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/38 "2014-05-16T16:24:10Z")
**Odesio** yes I know. It was in the past though, there have been arguments to bring it back for child rape, and I’ve heard people argue for reinstating it. ---
**Author:** ![Chihuahua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dec6dc/32.png) [@Chihuahua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chihuahua)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/39 "2014-05-16T16:37:06Z")
I am perfectly okay with using any form of killing, preferably cruel, against Depraved Criminal Butchers. Words like “Serial Killer” and “Murderer” are just euphemisms for brutally rending the flesh of fellow human beings for your own twisted satisfaction, and anyone who does such a thing deserves to suffer as badly, if not worse, than their victims. Simply putting them in a Limited-Exit Dormitory Facility is not just. The true injustice is allowing a Depraved Criminal Butcher to live when his victims did not. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534/40 "2014-05-16T18:11:26Z")
“Serial killer” and “Murderer” are not, in any way, euphemisms. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534.md?page=3)