[Scotty]

I was recently inspired on the "sentencing to death in FreeSpace" thread to start another argument:  the death penalty.

If it gets out of hand, I blame SpardaSon:

Also, death sentences are useful.  If there's some serial killer out there, killing him is the easiest and most simple way to make sure he doesn't kill anyone ever again.  I would rather see a serial killer executed than in a comfy prison cell where everything is provided for him by the taxpayers.

Feel free to discuss.

[Blue Lion]

It's too subjective. The factors you have to take in to determine who dies and who doesn't are so many and varied you'll never get an even shake for people.

[iamzack]

Personally, I do not think enough people get the death penalty in western society.

[Scotty]

   You and I agree on something!

Keeping serial killers and brutal murderers fed, housed, and otherwise completely taken care of for the rest of their lives is too damn expensive, as well as too good for them.

[StarSlayer]

Oh joy yet another hot topic, to bad I hate their clothes.

Quite frankly both sides are going to be extremely entrenched in their views, they will roll out all their arguments and neither side will concede for 5-10 pages, unless some lucky sod can derail the thread.

[colecampbell666]

I agree as well. In Canada the average life sentence is about 5-8 years.

[Scotty]

Which completely defeats the point of a 'life' sentence.  The crimes committed are so bad, or so many, that the convicted should never see the light of day while not in prison again.  The only way a life sentence should be commuted is if evidence surfaces that proves that the convicted did not in fact actually commit the crime(s).

EDIT:  @StarSlayer:  I love these kind of threads.

[iamzack]

Actually, the death penalty is super expensive. I think the best compromise would be to put all the serial killers, brutal murderers, rapists (especially of children), etc. in little concrete boxes and then bury the boxes somewhere, and let the ****ers rot.

[colecampbell666]

Actually, the death penalty is super expensive. I think the best compromise would be to put all the serial killers, brutal murderers, rapists (especially of children), etc. in little concrete boxes and then bury the boxes somewhere, and let the ****ers rot.

<_kr4m3r> so many ****ing criminals, its bull****
<foniks`> heh, if we sent all the criminals to some empty continent and just left them there to die
<foniks`> and showed up like 50yrs later like, "sup?"
<foniks`> whatd u think they'd say?
<FoSZoR[bg]> something along the lines of, "G`Day mate"

[Scotty]

 

[Turambar]

I don't like the death penalty.  Life in prison is a much worse punishment than death.  With death, you get your injection/electricity/noose/axe and then it's all over.  (actual) Life in prison requires you to actually live for the whole time in your cage until you die naturally. 

Also, there's always the chance that 10 years down the line they find some DNA that proves that you didn't do it.  It would definitely suck if they had killed you first.

[iamzack]

Prison and death are both better than what is deserved.

The death penalty should be cheap, painful, and drawn-out.

[StarSlayer]

If I recall correctly someplace used finish sentencing, take you out back and shoot you.  Then charge your family for the rounds.  I assume it doesn't get much cheaper then that

[iamzack]

That's a bit off. Family wasn't involved.

Let's do the door with rocks piled on bit by bit thing!

[FUBAR-BDHR]

Prison and death are both better than what is deserved.

The death penalty should be cheap, painful, and drawn-out.

So we stick them all in an IRC chat room with you and give them each a gun and one bullet.  Shouldn't take long before the problem solves itself. 

[Herra Tohtori]

Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.

[karajorma]

Also, there's always the chance that 10 years down the line they find some DNA that proves that you didn't do it.  It would definitely suck if they had killed you first.

And this is really the only argument you need against the death penalty.

I want to know how many people who are currently for it would continue to think it was a good idea if they were the ones facing it for a crime they didn't commit.

[Flipside]

I see it's going to be a looooong Spring...

[BloodEagle]

This is going to quickly devolve into a flame-war, you know.

[iamzack]

Only if Trashman, Knight Templar, Liberator, High Max, or Blue Lion show up. Everyone else is able to be reasonable and not flamey.