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originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
a reply to: Plotus
I'm also for Capitol punishment, all 535 need to be punished.
Life without possibility of parole in a harsh environment is a death sentence and too be honest, for some it would be worse than death.
I'm opposed to the death penalty for one reason and only one reason. The possibility the person has been wrongly convicted and is innocent.
originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
Here's an interesting paradox on the same thought...
I know a guy whom I used to work with back in the 80's. He was the son of a partner of my Dad. He was kind of a wild child in his spare time. He got into a bad work accident (fell through a roof of a grocery store onto the concrete below) and wound up crippled for life. Got into drugs. One night in a jealous rage he put a .300 Weatherby magnum bullet through the hand of his girlfriend while allegedly attempting to "scare her". He went down on an Attempted Murder charge for that, and did about 5 years in the pen. I figured this would get his attention.
Fast forward about 28 years, and I happened to be headed back to my old town and thought I might look him up. Didn't have his address so I did the usual search. First search result was how he went down on big possession and intent to distribute meth bust about 7 years ago and got sent up to the big house for 180 months (15 years) before he'd be eligible for parole. His first stint in prison must not have been enough to get his attention. But here's the thing...
He's going to get out in about 8 years. He's about 58 now, so he'll be getting out of prison at 66. He'll be retirement age, with no money (lost all his assets to forfeiture laws and the IRS), no retirement, no job and no place to go. Nobody is going to want to hire a crippled 66 year old guy with a serious rap sheet and at least two serious felonies (those are the ones I'm aware of anyway). Plus, both his dad and mom passed away while he was inside. Tough spot to be in, and I'm pretty confident there will be an attitude to go with that.
Now, I'm not advocating for capital punishment in this case, but I point it out to illustrate some of the futility of long prison sentences. This guy did the crime, so he should do the time...no argument there. But when the bureau of prisons gets done with him, they're just going to hand him his personal belongings and show him the front door. From that point he's on his own, they're done with him. I don't think this will end well. Talk about high probability for a repeat offense; there's almost no other alternative! This guy isn't homeless shelter material either, he'd get the boot on day one.
So what do you do?
I know some may read this and think I'm arguing against myself, but I'm really not. I honestly try to understand all sides of a situation before forming an opinion. My capital punishment opinions still stand, but there are others in "the system" which don't fit that mold and the system isn't really accomplishing anything at the end of the day. This guy is just one example.
originally posted by: Metallicus
I am against killing humans in general. I realize it is unpopular here, but the fact remains only barbarians should be killing other people. Not Planned Parenthood, not the Government, not society. The only scenario where killing is justified (in my opinion) is self-defense.
Personally I'm opposed to any jail time for non-violent crime
originally posted by: Subaeruginosa
So at the end of the day, the only real reason anyone could possibly support the death penalty, is because of pure spite... and spite is not a form of justice in a civilized society.
originally posted by: JAGStorm
a reply to: Blaine91555
Personally I'm opposed to any jail time for non-violent crime
I agree too many people are locked up for silly things that police used to just pat a kid on the back and tell them to keep their nose clean. Those days are long gone.
As for the non-violent crime...There are way way too many exceptions. There are too many crimes that are non-violent but have devastating effects on others.
A person that steals old folks retirement, People that neglect kids. What about the factory business owner that knew rats were pooping in the peanut butter but did nothing? Some people died because of that. That was not a violent crime, but he truly deserved to be jailed.
originally posted by: burdman30ott6
a reply to: Blaine91555
While we are on the topic, I also think every prison cell in the USA should have a noose secured to the ceiling affording any inmate who wishes to do so the luxury of removing themselves from their sentence.