# Lawrence Russell Brewer Dead
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [September 22, 2011, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158 "2011-09-22T04:33:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 7
### Author:  [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2011, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/121 "2011-09-22T22:36:31Z")
The OP, as most know, is full to the brim with right-wing, religious indoctrination – and any number of Asian cultural/intelligence “superiority” biases"…even though he’s been shown to be full of manure. Don’t give a shit if he’s really 14 or 140; point being this thread is all about his “righteous non-racism.”
Pull the other one dick-wad.
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### Author:  [@SecondJudith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecondJudith)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/122 "2011-09-22T22:38:27Z")
> [@Shodan](#):
>
> Accepting Jewish refugees would have stopped Hitler from invading Poland?
>
> Please tell me you’re not serious.
>
> Regards,
> Shodan
What on earth are you talking about?
Look, my post was intended as a mostly-joking rebuttal to the accusation of ‘europhilia’ among anti-death penalty posters in the thread, and that Europeans (or possibly europhiles) run around crowing about our moral superiority after the Holocaust. My point was that US Americans do the same thing about their WWII mythology.
I’m not participating in this hijack any more.
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### Author:  [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2011, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/123 "2011-09-22T22:45:53Z")
> [@Gyrate](#):
>
> I suspect that after being told that he makes Jesus sick, he’s unlikely to stick his head above the parapet again here. I guarantee that this isn’t the thread he was expecting to ensue.
He often starts threads like these and doesn’t bother his hole responding again.
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### Author:  [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2011, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/124 "2011-09-22T22:53:23Z")
“America, The Land Of The Jailed And Execution”
Because there are no shades of grey between red, white & blue.
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### Author:  [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)
#### Post date: [September 22, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/125 "2011-09-22T22:57:07Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#):
>
> He often starts threads like these and doesn’t bother his hole responding again.
True.
Besides, I’m not saying his critics are wrong (although I have no idea WJWD); I’m just saying that he’d have to be a lot more thick-skinned than he is to come back.
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### Author:  [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/126 "2011-09-23T00:04:44Z")
> [@SecondJudith](#):
>
> What a disgusting piece of shit you are, and your barbaric country. I hope you start listening to the little spark of humanity somewhere inside you soon.
> [@SecondJudith](#):
>
> You’re right, profanity on a message board is much worse than gloating over the death of a human being.
And being glad justice has been carried out in this case is much worse than the brutal murder of an innocent man.
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#):
>
> Well, Little Curtis doesn’t volunteer his age on every message. (Just how long _has_ he been 14?)
>
> As a Texan, I’m quite aware of the heinous act The Departed committed. But now the White Power guys have a new martyr! None of our state’s Murderous Millionaires (and we’ve had a few) have ever been strapped down for an injection. Although the older ones would have made the acquaintance of Ol’ Sparky…
> [@BobLibDem](#):
>
> Yet another reason to be proud to be from Michigan, the first state in the union to ban capital punishment. So two of our more backward states executed people last night. I’m sure the right wingers got a woody just thinking about it.
>
> Jesus, he’s been 14 for about 3 years now. Doesn’t he ever have birthdays?
For the record I’m fifteen now,.
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#):
>
> The USA is a country of many wonderful people, with many aspects to admire. Unfortunately, your penal code is not one of them.
> I know that many observing from the outside find it difficult to square the people we know with the actions of the country as a whole. How, in the 21st century does a first world country still find itself without a proper health service, with 25% of the worlds prison population and a justice system eager to kill?
> Boggles my mind it does.
I agree with this to a large extent, I think some of our drug laws are ridiculously draconian for example. OTOH, this “get tough on crime” policy began in the 70s and crime has gone down a lot since then.
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### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/127 "2011-09-23T01:21:39Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#):
>
> [http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/09/21/us/AP-US-Texas-Execution-Dragging-Death.html?hp](http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/09/21/us/AP-US-Texas-Execution-Dragging-Death.html?hp)
>
> There is fortunately no controversy surrounding Brewer and the other two’s guilt and thus justice has been dispensed cleanly, flatly, and finally on this disgusting wretch. Huzzah for justice!
And you’re not protesting his death? I mean, after all, he was a human being, one of God’s children.
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### Author:  [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/128 "2011-09-23T02:34:42Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#):
>
> BOO for capital punishment! It is wrong, always and everywhere (coulda sworn I’ve already briefed you on that fact, **Qin**. What gives?). Justice would have had that scum rotting away in solitary confinement for as long as it took him to die of natural causes.
> [@curlcoat](#):
>
> Why should the rest of society have to pay for the highly illegal and immoral acts of others?
Umm, because killing them is wrong; didn’t you read the post you quoted?
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### Author:  [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/129 "2011-09-23T02:38:46Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#):
>
> Meh. I’m pretty sure he’s fifteen by now.
Ahem.
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#):
>
> For the record I’m fifteen now,.
BOO YAH! 😃
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### Author:  [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/130 "2011-09-23T02:41:53Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#):
>
> The USA is a country of many wonderful people, with many aspects to admire. Unfortunately, your penal code is not one of them.
> I know that many observing from the outside find it difficult to square the people we know with the actions of the country as a whole. How, in the 21st century does a first world country still find itself without a proper health service, with 25% of the worlds prison population and a justice system eager to kill?
> Boggles my mind it does.
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#):
>
> I agree with this to a large extent, I think some of our drug laws are ridiculously draconian for example. OTOH, this “get tough on crime” policy began in the 70s and crime has gone down a lot since then.
You want to be careful with the _post hoc_’s, son, especially around here.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/131 "2011-09-23T02:51:38Z")
That ANYONE could accept the idea that innocent people might be put to death, is absolutely abhorent to me. For those who do, I ask – would you be willing to BE that person?
It may sound trite and it may be a cliche, but it’s just absolutely mind-boggling that people are willing to accept that as “the cost of doing justice.” If you ask me, that cost is far, far too high.
And **Qin** , your feelings here seem to contradict your comments [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=624539):
> [@](#):
>
> I would choose Phelps because despite everything he is still a human being and thus one of the God’s children.
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### Author:  [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/132 "2011-09-23T02:58:12Z")
Lots of people accept the fact that any war, even the most justified war imaginable, will have _some_ innocent civilian casualties…why should it surprise you that people accept that a few innocent people might be executed? The same way people accept that a number of people will be murdered every year, totally innocent people who did nothing to deserve their fate…it’s just a “cost” of living in a free society. The number of innocent people murdered even in the safest states is surely higher than the number of innocent people executed by the state…and people accept that.
I’m not saying I support the death penalty, or that I am _not_ upset when an innocent man is executed - but that execution doesn’t upset me any _more_ than any innocent person being killed, whether it’s someone shot to death in a robbery or someone killed by a bomb in Iraq. Totally innocent people are killed every day in all kinds of ways.
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### Author:  [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/133 "2011-09-23T04:03:36Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#):
>
> Jesus, he’s been 14 for about 3 years now. Doesn’t he ever have birthdays?
Maybe he was born on 29 February? That’ll make his next birthday next year.
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### Author:  [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/134 "2011-09-23T04:04:32Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#):
>
> Umm, because killing them is wrong; didn’t you read the post you quoted?
Killing them is wrong as far as you are concerned, but all of us would be expected to pay to keep them confined until they die or are let loose on society again. So, why should I have to pay to support all these lifers because you think it’s wrong to kill them?
Don’t like capital punishment? Don’t kill anybody. 🆒
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### Author:  [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/135 "2011-09-23T04:22:57Z")
> [@curlcoat](#):
>
> Killing them is wrong as far as you are concerned, but all of us would be expected to pay to keep them confined until they die or are let loose on society again. So, why should I have to pay to support all these lifers because you think it’s wrong to kill them?
Because it is a shared cost; part of being a member of civilization.
And please note that I didn’t say “I THINK it’s wrong”; I said “It’s wrong.” Full stop.
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### Author:  [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/136 "2011-09-23T04:31:08Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#):
>
> Because it is a shared cost; part of being a member of civilization.
Not of our civilization - the state of California allows execution. You and folks that share your opinion may get the law changed, but you would still be sticking the rest of us with the cost of supporting what you believe to be “right”. Why is it that people keep insisting that others share in the costs of their moral decisions?
> [@](#):
>
> And please note that I didn’t say “I THINK it’s wrong”; I said “It’s wrong.” Full stop.
I know what you said but it is still only what you think, since it cannot be proved or disproved that capital punishment is “wrong”.
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### Author:  [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/137 "2011-09-23T05:16:56Z")
Personally, I don’t think the guys who committed the crime at the heart of this thread’s OP nor the related thread were innocent. I do not believe that execution is the appropriate recourse for society to protect itself from such criminals, though. We do have the resources to confine them for the rest of their lives, even to provide them mental health treatment while they are incarcerated. And, on a more pragmatic note, capital punishment is costing the taxpayers _more_ than life in prison.
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### Author:  [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/138 "2011-09-23T05:21:48Z")
The heart of it is this: life imprisonment is just as effective as capital punishment. It serves the same purpose: making sure that the individual will never be able to harm society again. But people _want revenge._ There is a _deep_ desire in peoples’ hearts for revenge against criminals, especially murderers/rapists/molesters. People have to learn to let that go. Can they? They have done so in many other countries - can they do so in America? Keep in mind that for the _vast_ majority of history, execution was a given for any severe offense. Only _very_ recently have societies even toyed with the idea of doing _anything_ with murderers other than executing them.
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### Author:  [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/139 "2011-09-23T05:24:00Z")
> [@Monty](#):
>
> We do have the resources to confine them for the rest of their lives, even to provide them mental health treatment while they are incarcerated.
Perhaps where you are, not where I am.
> [@](#):
>
> And, on a more pragmatic note, capital punishment is costing the taxpayers _more_ than life in prison.
I can’t remember if it was this thread or the other one that I’ve already asked this, but - cite? How in the world can it cost most to execute someone than to keep them alive for decades?
ETA: **Argent Towers** - I have no interest in revenge on murders who offed people I don’t know. I merely don’t feel like providing them with a living.
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### Author:  [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2011, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-russell-brewer-dead/597158/140 "2011-09-23T06:04:26Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#):
>
> Only _very_ recently have societies even toyed with the idea of doing _anything_ with murderers other than executing them.
It was the rare society where murdering someone would certainly get you in any trouble at all, though.
> [@curlcoat](#):
>
> How in the world can it cost most to execute someone than to keep them alive for decades?
>
> ETA: **Argent Towers** - I have no interest in revenge on murders who offed people I don’t know. I merely don’t feel like providing them with a living.
1. A combination of factors. Expanded appeals and segregated prisoner housing are the big ones.
2. Do you feel like providing petty criminals with a living? Car thieves? Ponzi schemers? Drunk drivers? We ought to execute them all, by your logic, shouldn’t we?
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