Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Galen on June 18, 2010 at 3:59pm

They still do executions by firing squad? I thought you only got that for treason. Wow.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Ellis on June 18, 2010 at 4:30pm

Absolutely! You have to remember that we're talking about Utah. I heard an interesting discussion on the radio yesterday about how it is all tied to the LDS religion that dominates our fair state, and their historical belief in "blood atonement."

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Permalink Reply by Kris Feenstra on June 18, 2010 at 5:11pm

I remember hearing about this not too long ago. My understanding is that the law used to allow convicts to choose death by firing squad. This has been banned within the last decade, but those sentenced before the ban are still granted the right to choose this method of execution. Well, my understanding is a little fuzzy, but I think that's more or less the case here.

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Permalink Reply by Darrell Hobbs on June 18, 2010 at 6:11pm

I realize I am in the minority in my opinion, but I believe, and always have, that a person who intentionally takes the life of another forfeits their own right to live. The argument that I have heard, that it is cruel and unusual punishment to execute someone for the crime of murder, is total BS! Many times, these people have taken the life of another in a very violent, and often quite painful, manner to the victim. To grant mercy to someone who commits such an atrocious act against another is, to me, unthinkable. They showed no mercy to their victim, and should receive none as a result.

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Permalink Reply by Kris Feenstra on June 18, 2010 at 6:22pm

What constitutes a right to live? What context are you using this expression in?

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Permalink Reply by Galen on June 21, 2010 at 3:08pm

You are definitely in the minority here, but I'm right there with you.

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Permalink Reply by D R Hosie on June 22, 2010 at 1:53am

Hey, everyone - I appreciate reading all of your responses, and I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Sometimes I wind up juggling too many things at once (and the older you get, the fewer things it takes).

Galen, although it sounds barbaric, death by firing squad is about as quick as it comes. I would personally prefer it to electrocution.

Dan is right, in referring to the LDS belief in blood atonement, and I can only suspect that it exerted some weight in Mr. Gardner's decision to have his life ended in this manner.

That I am not a supporter of the death penalty, for economic as well as social considerations, I think Darrell's response points to the great need we all sometimes feel, for some form of 'absolute justice.' And as such, I'm good with society's decision to invoke capitol punishment.

Kris points out the philosophical problem of trying to determine what, exactly, constitutes an individual's right to live. Or what, I might offer, constitutes the right of society to demand that anyone should forfeit their life.

The little matter of unquestionable quilt, also raises the specter of the many innocent people that have, no doubt, died at the hands of state officials, due to sentencing based on less than conclusive evidence.

How do you restore a man's honor - let alone his life - once it has already been taken by the state?

That I feel it is simply a choice that we, as a society, have to make, I also feel it is one that is largely based on emotional, rather than any empirical need.

However, once decided, and except for making all possible assurances that it is not abused, we - as a society - need to collectively shoulder the responsibility for having decided the issue, and stop moralizing over our 'right to play god.'

Of course we have the right - we do it all the time.

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Permalink Reply by Galen on June 22, 2010 at 6:44pm

I'd prefer the injection personally. Just slowly fall asleep and never wake up.

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Permalink Reply by Michael on August 3, 2010 at 6:00pm

My main objection, as for many people, is the possibility of killing an innocent person. Timothy McVeigh, as an example, being completely guilty, admitting it...not such a problem. I'd still prefer not to have it, even if we knew for sure, but at least that certainty allows the system to weigh it better. Now I know in a lot of these cases their guilt is undisputed, and the legal wrangling is what keeps them alive. Despite this, we also have to face the disproportionate use of capital punishment based on race and class. There are cruel and unusual methods of execution as well. Many people will say they deserve it, but my feeling is that it does not make us better people to get into "eye for an eye" thinking. It's a complicated issue as we see.

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Permalink Reply by D R Hosie on August 3, 2010 at 9:57pm

Michael, It is indeed, a complicated issue. And I couldn't agree more, with everything you've said here.

I guess the chain I was somewhat looking to rattle here, is how so many of our feelings against capitol punishment, have to do with our own fear of death - in wishing to impose it on another.

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