Monday, September 26, 2011

Why the death penalty should be abolished...

On September 21st, 2011, Troy Davis was controversially executed by lethal injection at the behest of the U.S. State of Georgia. Many people believed him innocent of the crime for which he was incarcerated for the span of the last 20 years. The international community, especially many of the nations of the European Union, widely condemned the execution, as well as the institution of the death penalty in general.

People protesting the execution of Troy Davis in Paris, France

Now, there are many instances in U.S. history (and certainly in the history of other nations) where people executed by the state were later found innocent, be it from new DNA evidence, or somebody later confessing to the crime, government/judicial corruption etc. With this in mind, imagine how it must feel to be that wrongly-accused person. Possibly spending 20 years of your life or more in prison, your reputation tarnished, your family ashamed and/or devastated that their loved one lost their freedom and is on death row, and later being killed by the State for a crime of which you are entirely innocent. Can you think of a more terrible reality? I truly pity these people, the feeling of helplessness and injustice must be unbearably heartbreaking.

 With that in mind, how can anyone be in support of the death penalty? If these wrongful convictions happen even once in the history of our justice system, the death penalty should be abolished. However, it has happened more times than we will ever know, and will repeatedly happen, as long as people remain imperfect. Considering that the death penalty has not proven to be a useful deterrent to committing violent crimes, and it's supposedly more expensive to execute someone than to actually keep them alive in prison, then I just don't see how anyone with a functioning sense of reason can continue to support this truly barbaric institution.

Could be you, whether you committed a crime or not.


What's your opinion? Do you find my arguments compelling? Should the death penalty continue to be implemented in the U.S., as well as other countries around the world, as long as our justice systems remain decidedly imperfect? Please respond with a thoughtful comment discussing your opinion.

I have the privilege to be affectionately and respectfully your humble servant,
Publius
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

44 comments:

  1. gmanSeptember 26, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    I agree with you wholeheartedly. I believe that humans do not have the right to kill other humans not even as a matter of justice.

    No nation and no man has the right to kill others. It is immoral.

    ReplyDelete
  2. FinBisSeptember 26, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Justice, was and probably will continue to be, imperfect! It can be efficient most of the times, but it's impossible to be 100% fair. Having that in account, no, death penalty shouldn't be enforced with this system! And it will probably never reach the point when it can be enforced. There are other ways to punish a man!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ScottSeptember 26, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Completely agree. The death penalty does not have a place in our world.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LuceSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    I agree with you just because you cant be 100% sure that the "supposed" criminal is guilty.
    Otherwise, if someone killed my whole family right in front of me i would be more than happy to see him dead.

    ReplyDelete
  5. JohnSeptember 27, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    If he died for it, the actual killer will get his in the end. be it him or not.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ZRSeptember 27, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    "[...]how can anyone be in support of the death penalty?[...]I just don't see how anyone with a functioning sense of reason can continue to support[...]"

    looks like you answered your own question :D

    oh, and I'll tell you exactly how people support this... by being violent, hateful people.

    source: raised in the south

    PS: WHERE DID YOU GET THAT GLOBE WIDGET!?!?

    ZRadach@gmail.com (plz email me! I would like to have that on my blogger/wordpress/et al)



    oh, and @John
    no, probably not. did Bush "get it in the end" for ordering the murder of thousands of innocents in Iraq? actually, quite the opposite. how about Gov. perry for executing loads of innocents... all he had to do was give a pardon. therefore, he is a "murderer" per quod. will he "get it" in the end? probably not. infact, he'll probably be well-acclaimed, rich, and powerful his entire life.

    also: if you are referring to "hell" it's not in the bible. that shit is made up. the "hell" quotes are TRULY taken out of context... for once, the "out of context" thing is actually valid. if you look at the wording of the sentences that describe hell, they are nonspecific and often times don't say what they are purported to have said. meaning, people are ADDING things to it. like assuming that "nonbelievers are thrown into the lake of fire" make the assumption that they are talking about nonbelievers in christ, that the lake is real, and that it is after death, and that it is forever, and it is based on deeds done on earth... none of that is stated. you have to ASSUME it means all of those things for the "hell" thing to work.

    and it remains that way if you go to the aramaic/greek/hebrew source as well.

    sorry, but... that's just how it is. like it, love it, hate it... doesn't matter.

    ReplyDelete
  7. ZRSeptember 27, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    also: lots of people repent/confess/et al right before they die. the bible says that vindicates you of wrongdoings.

    so, even if there was a hell... they won't even go there.

    especially are catholic.
    the "do whatever the fuck you want then just say sorry and it's okay now" sect.

    ReplyDelete
  8. BerserculesSeptember 27, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    The death penalty should deffinity be abolished!

    Also the song Wheat Kings by The Tragically Hip is about a man in prison for 20 years for a crime he didn't commit!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    I'm kinda for the death penalty, at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Maybe you.September 27, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    very interested in politycs... will be following.. thank you kind sir.

    ReplyDelete
  11. DesoSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    I agree. Federal law should outlaw it everywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2011 at 6:15 AM

    can just agree here! hope for new content soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. kh0ndorSeptember 28, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    Fine

    ReplyDelete
  14. David K.September 29, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    I don't think people are (for the majority) civilized enough to comprehend how wrong something like this is.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    On one hand I understand the death penalty; it "moves" prisoners along in a sense and acts as a defense against recurring offenses and deters future killers.
    That being said I just can't see death penalty having a place in our society. "Eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind" is a true statement, and we should practice it. Condemning the condemned is not our job, prevention is.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Vengence7timesSeptember 30, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    I can see both sides of the argument, but I think that it is a good idea to kill someone, who aims on killing others, so you are killing them, to save other people's lives.

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    I agree, Justice != Vengeance.

    ReplyDelete
  18. ScienideOctober 1, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    I am for the execution only of people who murdered (heavy, extreme cases). Otherwise life sentence is bigger punishment.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AemulatrixOctober 1, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    I'm really agree with you. I like your blog very much, nice prespective.

    ReplyDelete
  20. MikeOctober 2, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    I 100% agree with you... This is a new world and there is no place for such thing as Death penalty...

    ReplyDelete
  21. BankSeaOctober 2, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    wow, you make really great points. never though much about this. but yeah, i have to agree with you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. defconOctober 3, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    That shit looks scary as hell.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Give EverythingOctober 3, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"

    great article, you hit some nice points

    ReplyDelete
  24. David AlvesOctober 4, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    good argument! Nobody in this world has the right to take life to anyone! : D

    ReplyDelete
  25. Morph1n3October 4, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    On my behalf I believe that they should keep the death penalty. For example if you rape someone for the 1st time. Get thrown in jail. 2nd time you get your pp cut off and 3rd time. Death Penalty. Kindda went off topic but ya :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. The Daily BeatzOctober 4, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    I'm not a fan of the death penalty, it's just a crucial way of bringing justice. We've evolved from the "eye for an eye" society and therefore should stop taking death penalties.

    ReplyDelete
  27. ENiViDOctober 5, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    I'd suggest you to take a loot at Cesare Beccaria's (an italian enlightment lawyer and philosopher) - "On Crimes and Punishments", one of the first theoreticians about death penalty abolishment :D

    ReplyDelete
  28. LeaguemanOctober 5, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    i agree completely brilliant post, i just wish more people realized this.

    ReplyDelete
  29. 1HipHopBlogOctober 6, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    The topic of should it still be used is a big debate, but it should only happen with allot of hard evidence is towards the person.

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousOctober 7, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    I'm against the death penalty, I find it hard to believe, that even in this day and age, we still put people to death.

    It's wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Paulo LisboaOctober 9, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    Well, the death penalty should be abolished.

    ReplyDelete
  32. This GuyOctober 9, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    While I agree to a point. . I don't. I think most trials before the technology we have today, should be re-looked at. Like dna and such. But I DO NOT think it should be abolished. Why? Louisiana has it right as of now. How is that? Any sexual crime done to a child under 14 gets death. How is that good? Because the crime won't be done again. And for murders?! YES AS LONG as there is no doubt in ANYONES mind. IF there is one hint of doubt in someones mind, then it should not be done.

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousOctober 10, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    There is a reason that we have the death penalty. And yes I do think that what happened to Troy Davis was tragic and horrible, for a man, whom all the evidence against him became moot, to still be killed. That is a fault of the people in the system not the laws. The death penalty not only acts as a way to rid the society as a whole of people who are past rehabilitation, but as a deterrent for those who would commit crimes if there wasn't such a punishment for doing them

    ReplyDelete
  34. rebzOctober 11, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    The end of the death penalty shoud let to a question a long long time ago, everyone made mistakes.

    ReplyDelete
  35. pvOctober 11, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    its a tough topic, there are a wide range of issues like some people commit crimes that are so severe one cant help but wish death upon them.

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnonymousOctober 11, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    I think that if someone killed your daughter you would want the death penalty, but if it's someone else's family you have more leniency. I dont know I dont make the rules =(

    ReplyDelete
  37. UnknownOctober 11, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    I agree with you my friend...

    nice post, i'll follow you :D

    ReplyDelete
  38. megaOctober 12, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    it should be used less, but abolished no

    ReplyDelete
  39. InspireOctober 14, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    I support it but the united states doesn't use it properly or on the right people.

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    I don't necessarily disagree with the death penalty, however I think that it should happen a lot sooner than 20 years. I understand that there is the problem with sentencing the wrong person, but I the way I see it is that we should make our judicial system more accountable. Punish them for murder if they falsely execute the wrong person. Make prosecutors actually accountable if they are wrong. Same with jurors. If a defense attorney loses make sure he did everything he could do to prove their innocence. The only reason people get falsely accused is because of arrogance and laziness!

    ReplyDelete
  41. UnknownOctober 18, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    I struggle to imagine a colder reality. I wonder how many exactly were innocent.

    ReplyDelete
  42. supremedenimOctober 19, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    it sucks knowing that your going to die when you're actually innocent. rip

    ReplyDelete
  43. AnonymousOctober 24, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    I'd have to agree with you, death is a punishment we as men will never have the true authority to carry out.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Xeho1129November 2, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Death is wrong no matter who it is. I agree

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)