Capital Punishment and the Moral Obligation of Citizens..?

Question

I was thinking about the strong disconnect many Americans have when it comes to crime and punishment. I am neither pro death penalty nor anti death penalty, but I cant help but wonder why public executions no longer take place?..I know the thought is terrible but when did we decide it was more humane to execute someone in the bowels of some dark jail rather than in the public square where the citizens are involved (like they should be)? Is it a way for citizens to shelter themselves and absolve themselves? We have an enormous crime problem and one reason for it is the average citizens refusal to get involved with the moral consequences of dealing with crime and punishment...Just for the sake of argument, do you think public executions would demand that citizens get involved and shoulder the moral responsibility they seem to be running from?

Answer 1

Before the 20th century, executions in the US and western Europe did take place in public. People in the crowds were warned to watch out for criminals picking pockets and worse at the scene. So much for deterrence. Just a few weeks ago, the execution of Saddam was televised (practically all or it) and the response was more voyeurist than thoughtful.

Those who actually carry out executions shoulder an immense burden on behalf of the rest of us. Many have resigned because of severe psychological problems and at least one, Dow Hover, the last executioner in New York and in New Jersey, committed suicide. Why do we use a 3 drug lethal cocktail anyway? The first drug is to render the convict unconscious. It is short acting. The second drug, pancuromium bromate, paralyzes the convict and the 3rd stops the heart. Why the second? It keeps the convict from writhing and moaning from the 3rd drug so witnesses will not be unduly disturbed. You are right. We have a distaste for seeing what is being done in our name.

By the way, I do oppose the death penalty for a variety of reasons- risks executing innocent people (DNA is available in less than 10% of all murder cases), costs much more than life, is not a deterrent, is arbitrary in that it does not apply to the "worst of the worst" but the poorest with the worst lawyers, is very hard on families of murder victims and because life without parole (available in 48 states) also incapacitates brutal killers (prevents them from re offending.)

In fact, Americans prefer life without parole over the death penalty by 47% to 46%. (Gallup Poll, 2006) Americans are connecting the dots and using common sense to make up their minds.

Answer 2

I do agree that it would send the right message. "Do wrong to others and this is what you'll get." Along the sam lines, I also believe that public floggings should be re-adopted. For petty crimes, five lashes with the whip and the entire episode is forgotten by everybody. Only the culprit will have any reason to remember the crime and the consequences. Have a read at Robert A. Heinlein's "Starship Troopers" for a better picture of how this could work if properly administered. (Don't just watch the movie, read the book.)

Answer 3

No. Why should we compell someone to see that? I don't think capital punishment is a deterrant, look at the cirme statistics compared to places with and without the death penalty, and there's no correlation. And if a person is not going to commit a crime anyway or it doesn't deter them, why make them watch something like this? We don't need a spactacle made out of it. If we do that it's onyl a short step from making it entertainment and we're back to gladitorial arenas.

Answer 4

Bleeding hearts get more attention than those that want justice, I for one would love to pull the plug on some of these criminals we keep in a five star prison cell, It is the government that is running from their moral obligation to this country not it's citizens, the only people that have rights in this country today are bleeding hearts, and criminals, the victims never get justice, citizens are not given the opportunity to get involved because our no jam politicians know that if they brought capital punishment to a vote they would have to carry that punishment out.

Answer 5

Capital punishment (demise penalty) is performed for 2 motives in fact: to punish someone for what he has finished or for vengeance for the sufferer. Deterrence is frequently discounted as a controversy yet I do have clientele that detest getting caught committing crimes in Texas because of fact all of them be attentive to that we've the demise penalty. they additionally be attentive to that Harris County (Houston) has placed extra people on demise row that in simple terms relating to the excellent united states of america mixed. yet, in answer on your question, not all murders are "capital murders". in case you kill somebody, it somewhat is a 1st degree criminal here (5-ninety 9 or probation), except you do certainly one of 6 issues alongside with the homicide: homicide a police officer, homicide a newborn below 6, or commit a homicide on an analogous time as robbing, kidnapping or sexually assaulting somebody, and ultimately in case you kill extra desirable than one person at a time. those are the strategies it could substitute right into a demise penalty case. the subsequent step is whilst a prosecutor looks on the information and the defendant's criminal historic past and the two makes the determination to seek for existence in reformatory or the demise penalty. many circumstances, smaller jurisdictions do not seek for the demise penalty because of fact they don't have the money of their budgets. (circumstances like this are somewhat costly for the county in appeals and trials) Morally, it relies upon on the place you stand religiously and ethically. Is it perfect? The Bible states it extremely is you commit homicide then the effect would be your demise. It additionally talks approximately forgiveness and turning the different cheek. i in my view think of that persons in Houston are uninterested in murders. they provide the demise penalty because of fact they're in touch for their acquaintances and that they choose to deliver a message that murdering cops, as an occasion, isn't tolerated. in case you kill a police officer, they reason, you do not need to respire an analogous air as commonly used regulation-abiding people anymore. they're bored to death with crime. a lot of people in Houston are people of colour. lots of them are democrats. i don't think of it somewhat is a "political" element here. it somewhat is approximately duty and understanding perfect from incorrect. they don't care what your colour is: in case you kill and rape a newborn, you will discover demise. perfect or incorrect it extremely is the sentiment I actual have seen.

Answer 6

I think there should be public executions and no more lethal injection. Our crime rate would drop dramatically.