Utah killer executed by firing squad

No. We are talking about life in prison WITHOUT PAROLE. And in maximum security. This set-up protects society from deviants every bit as much as executions.
We are? 14 or 15 states don't have a life sentence without parole.

Innocent life is clearly not valued and protected as much as you make it out to be when society enacts laws and punishments which inevitably lead to the death of innocents.

Fair enough and it is for that reason that I, personally, believe that the death penalty should be reserved for those cases where we have 100% certainty.

As to "feelings", without reposting lots o' quotes, I think there have been rational and emotive arguments by both sides. Ultimately, as Schneed pointed out, it comes down to each person's own determination (whether weighted more on emotion or on rationality or some combination of the two) and then that person's participation in the societal choice.

It is such an emotional issue and really cuts into the core of personal beliefs and how those beliefs are translated and absorbed into the society's actions.

Am I a killer b/c the State executed a prisoner? No, but I am a part (and choose to be a part) of a society that kills as part of its definition of justice.

Yes, lives would have been saved if Hitler had been killed in 1923. But Hitler was not in prison for first-degree murder or some other death penalty offense. It is not the same thing.

Well he was in jail for trying to mount a coup, which by our constitution is a death penalty offense (treason). But the German government was not stable enough at that time to try anything more than a minimal sentence. As the link showed, he had at least one top general visiting him for extended periods while he was in jail.

Sometimes a life sentence isn't so bad!

News Headlines (http://www.cnbc.com/id/37870056)

I respect your opinions and am not saying that you are wrong. But notice that the arguments made by those against the death penalty are rational arguments, not emotive ones. Herein lies a difference between the sides. I'm not saying better or worse, just different.

Right, because at the core of people's personalities and the way their brains are hardwired, some have a strong need for justice, and to see the score evened so to speak. If you profile Ghandi's personality, he would absolutely not be one of those people.

For those who have that strong need for justice, justice is not a value, it's an actual need. Meaning for them, it sits somewhere above food, shelter and safety in Maslow's hierarchy of needs. In other words, if people don't get justice, they actually have a physical reaction and get outraged. It's just the way their brains are wired.

For people like Ghandi, justice is a value. Something they strive to attain, but they're not going to get all pissed if it doesn't happen. Instead they'll turn the other cheek and move on.

So while you can make all the rational arguments you want, some sense of justice needs to be maintained to prevent those who need it from raging against the machine. There's a cost/benefit that has to be factored into the equation. And chances are that many people will react violently if the next Jeffrey Dahmer is given life in prison. Given that, it makes more rational sense to put him under the ground, because the will of the masses weighs heavier than the rational thoughts of the few.

In truth, not many people are sentenced to death, it really is only the most egregious of criminal acts that gets you there. Usually, if someone says they're sorry and admits wrongdoing, they'll get life in prison, even in Texas. That strikes a happy medium between maintaining a sense of justice amongst the people, and preserving the sanctity of all human life. That's why you don't see people raging over the issue these days. The line is drawn where society needs it to be.

Well, wouldn't it be wrong not to execute the person who rapes/kills SS33's niece, yet instead provide them with a roof over their head, clothing, toilet, and 3 meals a day while they live out the rest of their lives on the dime of the American taxpayer?

The most brutal and horrific crimes should be met with steepest of punishment. I'm not saying everyone convicted of murder should die, but the most hardcore, grisly, horrific killers/rapists have no place draining resources in our prison system. One way or another they're dying behind bars. Why not just get that shit over with? Considering what they've taken from their victims and their families, why should they be afforded the gift of time to read, relax, and "rehabilitate?"

Trust me, rapists don't get to relax in prison. If someone is a child molester, a rapist or someone who has committed an act of violence against a religious figure... They better ask for solitary confinement because every other prisoner will be itching to be the one to bash their brains in. And even in solitary, the gangs have a way of getting to them one way or another.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be executed, I'm actually in favor of the death penalty, but there's no way that people who commit heinous acts of violence just get to kick back and laugh at the system. They spend the rest of their days watching their back (no pun intended) in prison, hoping that they don't go the way of Jeffery Dahmer.

Trust me, rapists don't get to relax in prison. If someone is a child molester, a rapist or someone who has committed an act of violence against a religious figure... They better ask for solitary confinement because every other prisoner will be itching to be the one to bash their brains in. And even in solitary, the gangs have a way of getting to them one way or another.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be executed, I'm actually in favor of the death penalty, but there's no way that people who commit heinous acts of violence just get to kick back and laugh at the system. They spend the rest of their days watching their back (no pun intended) in prison, hoping that they don't go the way of Jeffery Dahmer.

You didn't click on the link I provided did you?

Well, wouldn't it be wrong not to execute the person who rapes/kills SS33's niece, yet instead provide them with a roof over their head, clothing, toilet, and 3 meals a day while they live out the rest of their lives on the dime of the American taxpayer?

The most brutal and horrific crimes should be met with steepest of punishment. I'm not saying everyone convicted of murder should die, but the most hardcore, grisly, horrific killers/rapists have no place draining resources in our prison system. One way or another they're dying behind bars. Why not just get that shit over with? Considering what they've taken from their victims and their families, why should they be afforded the gift of time to read, relax, and "rehabilitate?"

If you're in jail for life you're not going to "rehabilitate" for the most part. I suppose that eventually you could learn of how horrific the crime that you committed is and at the worst rot away.. at the best try to teach others based on your own wrongdoings.

Taxpayers also pay for executions, not just jailing, and in many cases the appeals and other court processes cost quite a bit. Three squares, a jumpsuit and slides, a lightbulb, and a toilet can be paid for quite awhile vs what it takes to pay the lawyer for a day, tying up the court, etc. I agree with some that it shouldn't be strictly an economical decision though.

A rape/murder or whatever the case is truly disgusting but so is taking the life of another human merely because you can. It would be nice if we were removed from that as far along as we've come as a civilization. I get the whole desire for revenge but what does that really change? It doesn't bring anybody back. The person isn't going to do it again if they're behind bars where they should be. Such a case as you described should have no parole mandatory.

You didn't click on the link I provided did you?

The link just reinforces the fact that the government is being run by a bunch of idiots. But it's been like that for some time now...

I don't even bother watching the news anymore. Wake me up with Palin is in the White House. Then I can at least laugh about that for 5 minutes, then go back to sleep until the next puppet is in.

The link just reinforces the fact that the government is being run by a bunch of idiots. But it's been like that for some time now...

I don't even bother watching the news anymore. Wake me up with Palin is in the White House. Then I can at least laugh about that for 5 minutes, then go back to sleep until the next puppet is in.

Obiwan has taught you well. The Force is strong with you.