# Poll: Do you want somebody dead? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083 "2006-09-25T16:35:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/1 "2006-09-25T16:35:29Z")
Per a tangential discussion in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=389181). A few selected quotes: > [@groman](#): > > The majority of people want at least somebody dead, and most people don’t do anything about it because it’s not a pressing enough concern to justify the associated risks, costs and hassles. > [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > Are you kidding? Seriously - is this a joke? Not only do I not want anyone dead, I can’t imagine wanting someone dead. > [@Der Trihs](#): > > I haven’t been able to find a link, but for what it’s worth I read a statistic a while back that 90% of men and 80% of women fantasized about murdering someone. Hence, this poll. For the purposes of answering the question, assume that you have either (1) enough disposable cash to hire someone to commit the murder or (2) the will to perform the murder yourself, as well as reasonable assurance (though not an airtight guarantee) that you will escape punishment for the act. The point here is not to get distracted by the mechanical practicalities of arranging the killing. The point is also not to indulge empty fantasies about killing famous figures who have no direct connection to your life, like grotesquely sadistic criminals or loathed politicians. The intended discussion is limited to two questions: whether or not there is someone in your extended social circle (assume a single degree of separation) whom you honestly believe needs to be eliminated from the world, either for your own personal reasons or for purposes of cosmic justice; and whether or not you, _morally_, could take responsibility for the deed. Also, to keep this question somewhat abstract, if your answer is “yes,” please do not identify or describe the individual whose death you would welcome. A simple yes or no will suffice. Feel free to philosophize, but please don’t make your desires particular. My answer: no. There is nobody in my monkeysphere whose death I would welcome to the degree of undertaking it myself. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/2 "2006-09-25T16:37:22Z")
No - unless I can say, repeat child molesters. I mean, sure, people annoy me, but I don’t want anyone specific dead. Even when I was in my worst times of life I never wished anyone dead. ---
**Author:** ![934spe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/90db22/32.png) [@934spe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/934spe)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/3 "2006-09-25T16:37:37Z")
I have my list. Don’t piss me off or you might be put on it… ---
**Author:** ![934spe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/90db22/32.png) [@934spe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/934spe)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/4 "2006-09-25T16:38:48Z")
Oh wait, I didn’t read the entire OP… I have no desire to kill people who don’t directly effect me and my day to day life… So no, killing a celeb is not on my list… ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/5 "2006-09-25T16:40:07Z")
I am so tempted to say yes, because there is this one woman…but I don’t actually think I could do it. However, when Karma catches up with her, I hope I hear about it so I can throw a party. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/6 "2006-09-25T16:52:21Z")
Hmmmm… having once met a man who later turned out to be a child molester, the idea has some appeal. Then again, he’s been caught and stopped and will be languishing in prison for several decades. And killing him now won’t undo what he’s done, so there’d be no point to it. Though if I happened to be stuck in a small room with him, it’s conceivable I might decide to claw his throat out with my bare hands. The OP specified “hire it done” and “chance you could get away with it” so that doesn’t quite meet those criteria. Other than that, and ruling out hated politicians, then no, there’s nobody in my sphere of contact that I could truly want dead. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/7 "2006-09-25T17:04:15Z")
Absolutely not! No there is noone in my social circle who I want eliminated from the world. I’m anti-death penalty so answering yes would be unbelievably hypocritcal. If I don’t believe it should be up to the justice system to decide whether or not someone needs to die, what kind of incredible arrogance would it take for me to think it should be up to me to decide? If I DID want someone dead, I’d at least have the stones to kill them myself. Anything else is cowardice. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/8 "2006-09-25T17:06:16Z")
No. While there have been a couple of candidates deemed worthy of consideration over the course of a lifetime, eventually it becomes apparent that both the risk of things not going as planned and the fear of supreme regret dictate that simply them having to live with themselves is probably punishment enough. Now, if ever a persistent threat to life and/or limb of a loved one appeared… well… all bets would be off. ---
**Author:** ![Aangelica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Aangelica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aangelica)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/9 "2006-09-25T17:08:01Z")
No. There are no people whose death I would actively seek. There are also no people whose death I would feel gladdened by. There is one person of my acquaintance whose death would fill me with relief - for her sake and the sake of her family. She has diabetes and severe Alzheimer’s and related dementia. There are a number of people whose death would not disturb me in the slightest, though. There are some folks whose death would give me a sense of mild satisfaction - but not actual joyful happiness. I devoutly hope I never become the sort of person who gleefully lusts after another person’s life, or the sort of person who views murder as a solution. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/10 "2006-09-25T17:13:01Z")
> [@](#): > > As some day it may happen that a victim must be found, > I’ve got a little list–I’ve got a little list > Of society offenders who might well be underground, > And who never would be missed–who never would be missed! > There’s the pestilential nuisances who write for autographs– > All people who have flabby hands and irritating laughs– > All children who are up in dates, and floor you with 'em flat– > All persons who in shaking hands, shake hands with you like _that_– > And all third persons who on spoiling tete-a-tetes insist– > They’d none of 'em be missed–they’d none of 'em be missed! > > CHORUS. He’s got 'em on the list–he’s got 'em on the list; > And they’ll none of 'em be missed–they’ll none of > 'em be missed. > > There’s the banjo serenader, and the others of his race, > And the piano-organist–I’ve got him on the list! > And the people who eat peppermint and puff it in your face, > They never would be missed–they never would be missed! > Then the idiot who praises, with enthusiastic tone, > All centuries but this, and every country but his own; > And the lady from the provinces, who dresses like a guy, > And who “doesn’t think she waltzes, but would rather like to > try”; > And that singular anomaly, the lady novelist– > I don’t think she’d be missed–I’m sure she’d not he missed! > > CHORUS. He’s got her on the list–he’s got her on the list; > And I don’t think she’ll be missed–I’m sure > she’ll not be missed! > > And that Nisi Prius nuisance, who just now is rather rife, > The Judicial humorist–I’ve got him on the list! > All funny fellows, comic men, and clowns of private life– > They’d none of 'em be missed–they’d none of 'em be missed. > And apologetic statesmen of a compromising kind, > Such as–What d’ye call him–Thing’em-bob, and > likewise–Never-mind, > And 'St–'st–'st–and What’s-his-name, and also You-know-who– > The task of filling up the blanks I’d rather leave to you. > But it really doesn’t matter whom you put upon the list, > For they’d none of 'em be missed–they’d none of 'em be > missed! > > CHORUS. You may put 'em on the list–you may put 'em on the list; > And they’ll none of 'em be missed–they’ll none of > 'em be missed! ``` -- W. S. Gilbert ``` 😃 ---
**Author:** ![indecisive1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/41988e/32.png) [@indecisive1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/indecisive1)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/11 "2006-09-25T17:17:33Z")
As I posted in the related thread, Yes ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/12 "2006-09-25T17:23:40Z")
Well, as I’m actually quoted in the OP I guess I don’t really need to respond, but No, I don’t want anyone dead. I guess I’m lucky that I’ve never met anyone that did something so horrible to me that I would want them DEAD. In jail maybe. Bad case of hives for sure. But not dead. Just not my MO, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![MostlyClueless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@MostlyClueless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyClueless)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/13 "2006-09-25T17:24:24Z")
Not at this very moment. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/14 "2006-09-25T17:25:11Z")
No. I just don’t have it in me. I _tried_ to have it in me for a while, when I was really, rip-roaring mad at someone for something they did to seriously hurt me deeply… but in the end, even if I could have gotten away with it, I would have let them live. I’m pretty glad for that. That person is still around today and I just don’t have the energy to hate him that much. With time, I’ve become indifferent. Imagine if his death was on my head? With time, I’d have gone _insane_, instead. It would be like making absolutely sure you never, ever got over something. Erg. ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/15 "2006-09-25T17:33:41Z")
No, although there’s been a candidate or two. But I’m just one person and however bad they may have hurt me, they’re not evil & sadistic monsters, therefore I can’t justify killing them. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/16 "2006-09-25T17:34:14Z")
Yes. At least I did, until I finally killed him. - stepping out of character \* No. Not at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![934spe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/90db22/32.png) [@934spe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/934spe)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/17 "2006-09-25T17:37:40Z")
Anyone else think this thread needs a: “I shot a man in Reno once…” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/18 "2006-09-25T17:41:23Z")
I certainly don’t think I am above having those feelings but there is nobody that know personally that I would put in that category. An embarassing cold sore would be nice. ---
**Author:** ![indecisive1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/41988e/32.png) [@indecisive1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/indecisive1)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/19 "2006-09-25T17:44:47Z")
This is going to be another pat myself on the back thread. There was one about who voted and who didn’t awhile ago… talk about your chest thumping. You’ll get piles of I am above that responses, and very few responses like mine. Why bother? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083/20 "2006-09-25T17:52:19Z")
I’d say yes, except that were this person to die things would be even _more_ complicated and it wouldn’t fix anything. I’d pay to have him have never existed, though. I’d pay a lot. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-do-you-want-somebody-dead/374083.md?page=2)