Utah killer executed by firing squad

Then don't murder or rape anyone in Virginia, and you'll have nothing to worry about. We do believe in the death penalty, especially for cop-killers and child molesting scum.

Thanks for the advice. I'll be careful to only murder and rape in non death penalty states. ;)

A cost of doing business that I'm willing to accept, given today's increasing burden of proof when it comes to finding evidence required to obtain a conviction.

It's for the greater good. The accidental conviction and execution would have been done out of error, and therefore not equivocal to cold blooded murder.

No, because there was no malicious intent.

I'll buy the "greater good" argument, because it is a valid approach to moral reasoning -- not because I agree it is actually in the best interest of the people to grant the State the right to kill.

But, I won't buy the "warm blooded" argument. Just because a killing is planned, and absent of malicious intent, does not make it right.

What about when the State kills a convicted murderer who was later proven to be innocent? Is that murder? If so, who should be killed in retaliation for that? How do we settle that score?

Of course that is murder. An innocent person was intentionally killed.

I'll buy the "greater good" argument, because it is a valid approach to moral reasoning -- not because I agree it is actually in the best interest of the people to grant the State the right to kill.

But, I won't buy the "warm blooded" argument. Just because a killing is planned, and absent of malicious intent, does not make it right.

No Keilbasa for you then!

What does that even mean? Seriously, that's so contrived.

I think of it as a right for a right. You take away someone else's right to live, then you lose your own. Fair's fair.

I'm not a fan of forgiving murderers.

No one here has argued for forgiving murderers. Keeping someone in jail for life in maximum security is not forgiveness.

As far as the Gandhi quote goes, what is means is that the "eye-for-an-eye" philosophy which you espouse only leads to a downward spiral of violence.

No one here has argued for forgiving murderers. Keeping someone in jail for life in maximum security is not forgiveness.

As far as the Gandhi quote goes, what is means is that the "eye-for-an-eye" philosophy which you espouse only leads to a downward spiral of violence.Not really. Murderer kills someone, gets convicted and sentenced to death, He is then killed. Spiral over.

And many of those sentenced to death have committed multiple murders, so eliminating them actually stops the spiral of violence.

No one here has argued for forgiving murderers. Keeping someone in jail for life in maximum security is not forgiveness.

As far as the Gandhi quote goes, what is means is that the "eye-for-an-eye" philosophy which you espouse only leads to a downward spiral of violence.

I don't have a problem with "violence" (wrong term here) when it's designed to achieve something for the greater good.

Historical violence I'm in favor of:

- US Declaration of Independence and the subsequent Revolutionary War that resulted in the establishment of our nation in the name of freeing ourselves from England's oppressive rule

- Northern aggression that kept the United States together as the southern states seceded from the union in the 1800s.

- US retaliation for the bombing of Pearl Harbor and our subsequent response in the Pacific and against the Nazis.

- Beating up that punk ass bully who pantsed my little brother every day for 6 days in a row.

When it comes down to it, killing people who murdered others makes me feel good. I'd be one of the folks sitting in the front row cheering as he went out.

I don't believe in God or any higher power. I believe man is the ultimate rule of law, and as such ye shall reap what ye sow.

No Keilbasa for you then!

Killing a human is not the same as killing a pig, although I'd be willing to bet that the highest forms of civilization in our universe don't kill anything at all. But, since we're not there yet I'll just keep enjoying my bacon.

Not really. Murderer kills someone, gets convicted and sentenced to death, He is then killed. Spiral over.

And many of those sentenced to death have committed multiple murders, so eliminating them actually stops the spiral of violence.

Even though the State kills murderers, more murderers will come. Spiral on.

Call it what you will but taking a human life is wrong. The law says so, no? But it's ok if the state does it? Sorry, can't buy that.
Can you buy it as an act of war? In defense of ones country?
Could you buy it in defense of your wife? Child? Or.....just plain wrong in all cases as you have stated?