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☖ Forums → Discussion Forum → 1000th execution in the US
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1000th execution in the US
2005-12-02, 9:23 AM #1
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/12/02/boyd.execution.ap/index.html

Most of the executed probably have done terrible things, yet I fear many haven't. At any rate, I'm opposed to the death penalty even if they were all guilty.

Any thoughts?
Looks like we're not going down after all, so nevermind.
2005-12-02, 9:27 AM #2
It's a shame we don't have death penalty. Sure, it doesn't solve things that much but there's always something neat when some rapist/etc. gets executed and all those people are cheering for it.
Star Wars: TODOA | DXN - Deus Ex: Nihilum
2005-12-02, 9:44 AM #3
I used to be in support of the death penalty, but then I saw how many death-row inmates were cleared using modern DNA testing on old evidence. It's clear that law enforcement isn't as careful or accurate as most people think, therefore, I cannot support the death penalty anymore since the "proof" the jury uses to convict people can be flawed.

I work as a programmer for a biotech company. I write software that interfaces with DNA sequencing machines. I found out that there are machines that can literally CREATE DNA in whatever pattern the scientists want. Therefore, it is theoretically possible to *invent* DNA "evidence" and plant it somewhere. If that isn't mind-blowing...
2005-12-02, 10:00 AM #4
I’m fairly sure that it’s been proven that the death penalty does not deter people from committing crimes, so what is the point… revenge? A life in prison is certainly not a light punishment and such a decision can be reversed: an innocent man can be released. What can be done for someone who has been wrongly executed? Say, “Oops, sorry!” to the family?

Besides, the United States is behind the curve. We’re one of the few remaining industrialized, democratic, free nations in the world that still use the death penalty. Here is a list of nations that executed people in 2004:

Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Belarus
China
Egypt
India
Indonesia
Iran
Japan
Jordan
Korea (North)
Kuwait
Lebanon
Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
United States of America
Uzbekistan
Viet Nam
Yemen

(according to Amnesty International)
2005-12-02, 10:03 AM #5
Hmm, I doubt DNA sequencers can put together more than a few thousand nucleotides, let alone an entire set of chromosomes....
Dreams of a dreamer from afar to a fardreamer.
2005-12-02, 10:09 AM #6
Originally posted by Brian:
Therefore, it is theoretically possible to *invent* DNA "evidence" and plant it somewhere. If that isn't mind-blowing...


Interesting possibility but 99% of criminals would probably not have the resources to do such a thing, or would anyone for that matter.

1k mark! w00t.
2005-12-02, 10:13 AM #7
Originally posted by Fardreamer:
Hmm, I doubt DNA sequencers can put together more than a few thousand nucleotides, let alone an entire set of chromosomes....

Except that when they do DNA testing, they only look at a very small number of them, and that small number is predetermined. So all you have to manufacture is a bunch of junk except in those few areas where they actually look, you put the manufactured stuff.

And we all know technology only gets better.
2005-12-02, 12:44 PM #8
Originally posted by Brian:
I work as a programmer for a biotech company. I write software that interfaces with DNA sequencing machines. I found out that there are machines that can literally CREATE DNA in whatever pattern the scientists want. Therefore, it is theoretically possible to *invent* DNA "evidence" and plant it somewhere. If that isn't mind-blowing...


That's really interesting... how would one do this?

And what method of sequencing do they use where you work? I didn't realize a lot of programming was involved.
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2005-12-02, 12:53 PM #9
Originally posted by Wuss:
I’m fairly sure that it’s been proven that the death penalty does not deter people from committing crimes, so what is the point… revenge? A life in prison is certainly not a light punishment and such a decision can be reversed: an innocent man can be released. What can be done for someone who has been wrongly executed? Say, “Oops, sorry!” to the family?

Besides, the United States is behind the curve. We’re one of the few remaining industrialized, democratic, free nations in the world that still use the death penalty. Here is a list of nations that executed people in 2004:

(according to Amnesty International)


It's a good list. The USA should be proud.
"Those ****ing amateurs... You left your dog, you idiots!"
2005-12-02, 1:05 PM #10
I used to support the death penalty. Sure, it didn't deter, but I thought it was a good thing to get rid of some of the worst people in society. But then I lost my compassion. We should replace the death penalty with life in solitary confinement. I believe that to be a much worse punishment.
Democracy: rule by the stupid
2005-12-02, 1:06 PM #11
Wow, we just now reached the thousandth? It's not capital punishment, it's capital insufficency.
"We came, we saw, we conquered, we...woke up!"
2005-12-02, 1:09 PM #12
1,000th since 1977. That's...*opens calculator*...about 36 per year. Seems quite a lot, in my opinion.
2005-12-02, 1:23 PM #13
I bet the states just sentence people to the Death Penalty just to see who got to 1,000 first.
2005-12-02, 1:36 PM #14
Originally posted by Wuss:
I’m fairly sure that it’s been proven that the death penalty does not deter people from committing crimes, so what is the point… revenge? A life in prison is certainly not a light punishment and such a decision can be reversed: an innocent man can be released. What can be done for someone who has been wrongly executed? Say, “Oops, sorry!” to the family?


That's because the system to execute take decades.

I'm in favor of the death penalty for the most heinous crimes. Multiple murders adn the like. If someone is convicted of killing one person, they should be locked up for life and never released.
Pissed Off?
2005-12-02, 2:03 PM #15
Originally posted by LividDK27:
1,000th since 1977. That's...*opens calculator*...about 36 per year. Seems quite a lot, in my opinion.


36 is nothing when you have hundreds to thousands per year who need to be put down.
"We came, we saw, we conquered, we...woke up!"
2005-12-02, 2:15 PM #16
Originally posted by Jedigreedo:
36 is nothing when you have hundreds to thousands per year who need to be put down.

True. I guess I was more thinking about that amount compared to the number I actually hear about in the news and such.
2005-12-02, 2:18 PM #17
Wait a minute. I don't think the death penalty was ever outlawed nationally. It was, however, outlawed in Georgia by the Supreme Court because of crappy sentencing policy. A few years later though Geogria cleaned up it's policy and was able to practice the death penalty again.
Democracy: rule by the stupid
2005-12-02, 2:18 PM #18
[QUOTE=Kieran Horn]A few years later though Geogria cleaned up it's policy and was able to practice the death penalty again.[/QUOTE]YAYYYYY
2005-12-02, 2:26 PM #19
Excellent. With these new DNA producing machines I will be able to rid of my political enemies. I shall rule absolutely! Muhahhahaha!
Code to the left of him, code to the right of him, code in front of him compil'd and thundered. Programm'd at with shot and $SHELL. Boldly he typed and well. Into the jaws of C. Into the mouth of PERL. Debug'd the 0x258.
2005-12-02, 3:31 PM #20
I'm in favor of the death penalty for no other reason than the very few truly evil people out there who would make the Earth a much better place by ceasing to be on it.
"Flowers and a landscape were the only attractions here. And so, as there was no good reason for coming, nobody came."
2005-12-02, 3:33 PM #21
I think Brian should give me one of those DNA sequencers. It'll go well alongside my Cray research supercomputer and modified influenza retrovirus.
2005-12-02, 5:04 PM #22
[QUOTE=Kieran Horn]Wait a minute. I don't think the death penalty was ever outlawed nationally. It was, however, outlawed in Georgia by the Supreme Court because of crappy sentencing policy. A few years later though Geogria cleaned up it's policy and was able to practice the death penalty again.[/QUOTE]

The entire capital punishment system was struck down by the Supreme Court. All states had to rewrite their systems.
Pissed Off?
2005-12-02, 5:29 PM #23
Originally posted by Jedigreedo:
Wow, we just now reached the thousandth? It's not capital punishment, it's capital insufficency.


Agreed, thought there would be more...
2005-12-02, 5:44 PM #24
Read, you guys! Since 1977!
2005-12-02, 8:47 PM #25
While I think that some people probably do deserve to die, I believe the United States judicial system is not capable of determining who does and who doesnt.
2005-12-03, 10:37 AM #26
I'm quite happy to live in a society that values human life so much that even the worst of the worst of people are not denied it.
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. " - Bertrand Russell
The Triumph of Stupidity in Mortals and Others 1931-1935
2005-12-03, 10:53 AM #27
Originally posted by 'Thrawn[numbarz:
']Read, you guys! Since 1977!


I know, I guess I was just hoping for more.
2005-12-03, 11:21 AM #28
I have little if any regard to criminals. I think you deserve the fullest extent of punishment the law will allow for your crime. I do not believe in the parole system. If you have to serve a 35 year sentence, well then I'll see you in 2040. If you commit a capitol offense, your new home is six feet below.

Speaking of executions. You all might be hearing of one called Stanley "Tookie" Williams. He is proported to be the founder of the infamous "Crips" gang. He is also convicted of killing four people and sentenced to die this December. Many people are asking the governor of CA to grant him clemency and just serve a life sentence. They say he has changed and is even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. I think it's bullcrap that someone would offer a cold-blooded killer a Peace Prize. He was convicted and sentenced to death by a jury of his peers. His sentence should be carried out.
Code to the left of him, code to the right of him, code in front of him compil'd and thundered. Programm'd at with shot and $SHELL. Boldly he typed and well. Into the jaws of C. Into the mouth of PERL. Debug'd the 0x258.
2005-12-03, 11:23 AM #29
But wouldn't living life in a small cell for the rest of your days be worse than being put to death?

I know it's a common opinion. Sorry.
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2005-12-03, 11:25 AM #30
Quote:
It's a shame we don't have death penalty. Sure, it doesn't solve things that much but there's always something neat when some rapist/etc. gets executed and all those people are cheering for it.


"sure it doesnt solve things" yet you're a supporter?

see people can't justify the death penalty philosophically or in practice (we covered this in my "ethical issues" philosophy class
2005-12-03, 11:34 AM #31
Originally posted by JediGandalf:
I think it's bullcrap that someone would offer a cold-blooded killer a Peace Prize.

What if he HAS changed? Isn't it possible to put aside your angsty revengful "OMG WRAA KILL KILL KILL WAA I GOT HURT SO LETS HURT HIM BACK" feelings for just one moment and consider the possibility?

Capital punishment is a form of revenge, period. Calling it "justice" is just a way of justifying idiotic moral contradictions. In an idea world, you would lock someone up until they have, for sure, changed. But since we can't be completely sure, you can give someone life in prison, and parol offers them a chance. Because it IS possible for people to change. But apparently so many people bawk in their own anger and hatred towards criminals that they either don't realize this or don't care.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2005-12-03, 11:39 AM #32
The list nonsense is stupid. I'm not in support of the death penalty by any means, but judging our democraitcally decided issues by what other countries do is nonsense.
"If you watch television news, you will know less about the world than if you just drink gin straight out of the bottle."
--Garrison Keillor
2005-12-03, 11:42 AM #33
Go death penalty.
2005-12-03, 11:46 AM #34
I think it'd be more effective if they didn't wait for 20-something years, or however long they wait. (Yes, I realize they need time for appeals, because the legal system isn't perfect, but still..)
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try: command not found
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2005-12-03, 11:53 AM #35
Originally posted by Emon:
What if he HAS changed? Isn't it possible to put aside your angsty revengful "OMG WRAA KILL KILL KILL WAA I GOT HURT SO LETS HURT HIM BACK" feelings for just one moment and consider the possibility?

Capital punishment is a form of revenge, period. Calling it "justice" is just a way of justifying idiotic moral contradictions. In an idea world, you would lock someone up until they have, for sure, changed. But since we can't be completely sure, you can give someone life in prison, and parol offers them a chance. Because it IS possible for people to change. But apparently so many people bawk in their own anger and hatred towards criminals that they either don't realize this or don't care.

I have always lived by the motto: An eye for an eye. He knowingly and willfully committed those acts. He cannot just return dead people to life as he would return a stolen item. Yeah, he might have changed. At least he will be at peace when he dies. That still does not change the fact that he must be held accountable for his crimes.
Code to the left of him, code to the right of him, code in front of him compil'd and thundered. Programm'd at with shot and $SHELL. Boldly he typed and well. Into the jaws of C. Into the mouth of PERL. Debug'd the 0x258.
2005-12-03, 12:07 PM #36
Whatever you do to someone, you deserve to happen right back to you. eye for an eye.
2005-12-03, 12:09 PM #37
Originally posted by JediGandalf:
I have always lived by the motto: An eye for an eye. He knowingly and willfully committed those acts. He cannot just return dead people to life as he would return a stolen item. Yeah, he might have changed. At least he will be at peace when he dies. That still does not change the fact that he must be held accountable for his crimes.


But if you send him to prison for life he still dies, there's still justice.
"If you watch television news, you will know less about the world than if you just drink gin straight out of the bottle."
--Garrison Keillor
2005-12-03, 12:09 PM #38
Originally posted by Temperamental:
Whatever you do to someone, you deserve to happen right back to you. eye for an eye.



aaaaaaah yes, the good old days of playground ethics.
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2005-12-03, 12:19 PM #39
Originally posted by fishstickz:
But if you send him to prison for life he still dies, there's still justice.


And say he lives longer due to the average life expectancy going up? Say he eats right, exercises as he should, and gets a regular sleep schedule (as ALL inmates are now provided in federal prison). He's healthy. He lives for 55 years longer in a prison that YOU pay for out of YOUR tax money.

At least if you kill him, he only sucks away 20 years of your cashflow.
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2005-12-03, 12:24 PM #40
Originally posted by Temperamental:
Whatever you do to someone, you deserve to happen right back to you. eye for an eye.

Why?
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
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