Would mass genocide be reason enough to change the minds of those who oppose the death penalty?

Question

How many people would have to be killed, by one person, before one would support that person's execution (would you oppose the execution of someone such as Hitler?)

* I would prefer this question to be answered by those who believe that we too would be murderers, for taking someone's life as punishment for their crimes.

Answer 1

Clearly governments have an obligation to keep us safe. Genocide is a very different matter from the kind of crimes to which the death penalty customarily applies. I oppose the death penalty because I do not believe it is an effective method of crime control and of keeping us safe.
Here are some of the facts about the death penalty system, all verifiable and sourced. I hope that you will ask your question after you have a chance to look at them.

Re: Deterrence
The death penalty isn’t a deterrent. Murder rates are actually higher in states with the death penalty than in states without it. Moreover, people who kill or commit other serious crimes do not think about the consequences or even that they will be caught (if they think at all.)

Re: cost
The death penalty costs far more than life in prison. The huge extra costs start to mount up even before the trial. There are more cost effective ways to prevent and control crime.

Re: Alternatives
48 states have life without parole on the books. It means what it says, is swift and sure and is rarely appealed. Being locked up in a tiny cell, forever, is certainly no picnic. Life without parole incapacitates a killer (keeps him from re-offending) and costs considerably less than the death penalty.

Re: Who gets the death penalty
The death penalty isn’t reserved for the “worst of the worst,” but rather for defendants with the worst lawyers. When is the last time a wealthy person was sentenced to death, let alone executed??

Re: Possibility of executing an innocent person
Over 120 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence, many having already served over 2 decades on death row. If we speed up the process we are bound to execute an innocent person. Once someone is executed the case is closed. If we execute an innocent person the real criminal is still out there and will have successfully avoided being charged.

Re: DNA
DNA is available in less than 10% of murder cases. It’s not a miracle cure for sentencing innocent people to death. It’s human nature to make mistakes.

Re: Victims families
The death penalty is very hard on victims’ families. They must relive their ordeal in the courts and the media. Life without parole is sure, swift and rarely appealed. Some victims families who support the death penalty in principal prefer life without parole because of how the death penalty affects families like theirs.

Opposing the death penalty doesn’t mean you condone brutal crimes or excuse people who commit them. According to a Gallup Poll, in 2006, 47% of all Americans prefer capital punishment while 48% prefer life without parole. Americans are learning the facts and making up their minds using common sense.

Answer 2

There are consequences for ones actions. If one is taking lives of innocent people they are murderers. And for the crime of murdering the consequence is death. Besides Hitler shot himself. Although I have also heard that he was beheaded with piano wire as he traveled in his automobile. Either way he got what he deserved.

If you are religious - then read your bible. Or a King James Bible. The commandment that states "Thou shall not kill" was specifically meant for murderers committing murder against the innocent. To instruct them to not shed innocent blood. It was not meant for the executioner that carried out the punishment to murderers. This same punishment of death is also meant for rapists and kidnappers. Also according to the bible.

Answer 3

What is the difference kill one person or 20,000 a murder is a murder and if the death penalty fits - apply it.

Answer 4

im going back to sleep

Answer 5

no. killers kill.