Controversial Blog-Death Penalty 05/10/15

Crazy, Cuckoo Capital Punishment

Blogger 1:

I cannot believe that in some countries they still have the death penalty! This is not the Middle Ages anymore; we should not condone the murder of each other as that is just encouraging violence. Do they not understand how barbaric that appears to other nations? Even in a developed country like America, some states still have the death penalty; in 2012 there were 43 executions and 77 death penalties in America. These are absolutely horrifying figures! If these figures are not enough to terrify you, other countries are far, far, far worse. For example, in Iran there were at least 314 executions in 2012 and at least 79 death sentences. I would hate to live in a country where some live in fear of death. It is not right. It must be stopped.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/campaigns/abolish-the-death-penalty?id=1011005

Blogger 2:

Why would you hate to live in a country with the death penalty? Surely it would make you feel safer knowing that the criminals couldn't commit another crime if they're dead? The only criminals that are executed are the ones that have killed people and I believe they deserve to die after doing something so unforgivable as that. They are malicious, malevolent monsters. Haven't you ever heard of the phrase 'let the punishment fit the crime' or 'an eye for an eye'? If a murderer serves his time in prison and is then let out, they then have the opportunity to kill again. For example, Kenneth Allen McDuff was an American serial killer who was imprisoned for killing people and then killed more people after being let out of prison. More people could have been saved than killed if McDuff was executed. Innocent lives were wasted. Would you like to be responsible of innocent people dying if you help get rid of the death penalty?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_McDuff

Blogger 1:

I can understand your thirst for vengeance for the victims of the heart breaking crime that is murder. However, how can you be completely sure that the person you are executing is actually guilty? What happens if you seem to have all the evidence in the world that points to a person being guilty of murder but it turns out they were cleverly set up? Would you like to be responsible of an innocent person dying if you did not help get rid of the death penalty? Furthermore, it is against the law in America to execute someone if they are mentally insane. However, it is estimated that 5-10% of prisoners on death row in America have severe mental illnesses. Consequently, it should unconstitutional to kill them as they were not aware of right or wrong at the time or of the consequences their actions would have. Therefore, the death penalty is killing people who do not deserve to die and needs to be stopped. Now.

http://www.deathpenalty.org/article.php?id=53

Blogger 2:

Life is precious and needs to be protected. Innocent people don't deserve to have that gift taken away from them and the perpetrators should be punished severely. Losing a loved one is an awful event but it's even worse if it was intentional and with malice. In my opinion, the execution of the murderer gives the victim's friends and family the closure they need to grieve in peace. Also, the death penalty is less expensive than life in prison and also decreases the prison population. This means that taxpayers pay less of their own money looking after criminals. Why should innocent people have to pay to look after evil murderers when they could be using the money to look after themselves and their family?

Blogger 1:

If someone killed another person in cold blood and it was premeditated then that would be murder. However, is this not a definition of the death penalty? You set a date to kill someone and the executioner does not feel too much remorse as the person 'deserves it'. How sociopathic can a society get if they condone this? Also, if they serve life in prison then they would definitely have had enough of punishment and would not want to do something to serve time again. Furthermore, it is a common belief that people can learn from their mistakes and change for the better. Why could this not be possible for killers? For example, in 1979 Stanley Williams was sentenced to death after being convicted of four murders. He was the co-founder of a violent and powerful gang in Los Angeles called Crisps who were responsible for hundreds of murders. However, about five years later, Williams underwent a religious conversion and consequently wrote many books and created many programs which encouraged peace and fought against gang violence. He was nominated for the Nobel Literature Prize four times and the Nobel Peace Prize five times. This proves that convicts can turn away from lives of violence and become new people. Despite the fact that Mr Williams was no longer dangerous for society, he was still executed in 2005. Can you see how numerous people could view this punishment as morally wrong? There is no black and white case for capital punishment. The majority of prisoners on death row have been either physically or sexually abused in their lives. This would obviously play a big part in their lack of morals. However, if they were given therapy and were taught how to function properly in society, why could they not be given a second chance? Mr Williams gave so much good to society after he acquired new morals and if it were not for the death penalty he could have contributed so much more. Capital punishment is immoral, ignorant and inhumane. Help us stop it.