Er, really? That'd be why the US has such a low crime-rate then, wouldn't it.
You could make a point for Rob's oft-quoted "It'll reduce the crime-rate by 1!" thing, but I don't think it especially works as a deterrent. Not more so than other forms of punishments which non US-constitutioned countries have.

"Until then...Regular or Extra Crispy"

Wow. Someone has (for the first time), managed to post something that has actually offended me. Well done.

The Bible says 'Thou shalt not kill'! You're a hypocrite!

*shrug* You wanna ignore the Bible, be my guest. You seem to like making excuses for why God doesn't mind people violating his Ten Commandments, even though you claim to love God. Please, explain to me, why does God not disaprove of the Death Penalty?

You know, I actually was going to leave this thread alone, but since Omega threw out the invite, why stay away, right?

Omega's posts here as well as his views on the current slavery discussion have led me to conclude he's a racist, although I don't think he realizes it yet. Hopefully, he will make a determined effort to stop thinking such vile and despicable thoughts (possibly, he'll even join the human race at some point).

Arguing with Omega is like trying to reason with Gowron. He's too thick-headed to listen to that which makes sense. This concludes my Omega bashing for this thread, which, I might add, I would not have begun if Omega had not, in effect, begged me too. Did it not seem like that to you, too? I must also admit that I had previously thought that Omega did not like me much, however, by his plea for my company, I am led to believe that Omega wishes me to Man-Train with him. I shall, no doubt to his dissapointment, decline that invitation. Mostly, because I do not like to drive south of Rosslyn, Virginia. Also, because I do not like the Man-Train. I prefer the Man/Woman-Train.

Oh, yes, we're speaking of the Death Penalty, aren't we?

I'm opposed to the DP for the reasons stated so very well by so many people. I think it is skewed against minorities, but then again, I feel the whole system of Justice in this country is skewed towards those with more money -- more money, better lawyers. No money, freebie lawyers. Gee, wonder who'd be better? (Especially given that the Defense Counsels provided by the state are usually very overworked).

I also think it's more punishing to make someone live a long life in a tiny cell, then execute them. I know if I had the choice between life in a cell, or death, I'd choose death because, frankly, I'd hate to spend my whole life in a jail. It would be the ultimate punishment -- and that's why I'm against the DP.

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Star Trek Gamma Quadrant
Average Rated 8.32 out of 10 Smileys by Fabrux (with seven eps posted)
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"Oh, yes, screw logic, let's go for a theory with no evidence!"
-Omega 11:48am, Jan. 19th, 2001
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"I think this reason why girls don't do well on multiple choice tests goes all the way back to the Bible, all the way back to Genesis, Adam and Eve. God said, 'All right, Eve, multiple choice or multiple orgasms, what's it going to be?' We all know what was chosen" - Rush Limbaugh, Feb. 23, 1994.

[This message has been edited by JeffKardde (edited April 26, 2001).]

Yes I do. I play no favourites. You kill unjustifiably, you die.

Back to the point at hand. The death penalty is barbaric. I ask you this, what does the US, Iran, Saudi Arabia and China have in common? They're the leaders in state murder (aka the death penalty) in the world. Civilized countries do NOT have the death penalty for crimes (during peacetime). As Liam said, if the death penalty is such a detterent, then why does the US have such a high crime rate? The two industrialized countries with the highest crime rates are US and Russia, which both have the death penalty. Western Europe, which has abolished the death penalty, has lower crime rates.

America still executes people for crimes during peacetime. America still executes the mentally ill and those under the age of 18, which are both considered crimes under international law. Life without parole is not that bad an alternative. Because if the government acting in our name kills even one innocent man, then we are all bloodguilty. And I for one do not want to be... until I take my Glock 9 and stick it down that racist gaybashing Omega's throat.

*the above post contained certain satirical elements*

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"A mass of tears have been transformed to stones now, sharpened on suffering and woven into slings"
Zack de la Rocha
Rage Against the Machine

Don't you mean that we execute people for crimes committed while they were under the age of 18?

I don't think we actually execute people before they're at least 18 (unless they're black and running from cops, but that's another thread).

This particular gayboy don't play no favourites.

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In this crazy world of lemons, baby...you're lemonade!

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"Instructed by history and reflection, Julian was persuaded that, if the diseases of the body may sometimes be cured by salutary violence, neither steel nor fire can eradicate the erroneous opinions of the mind."

-Edward Gibbons, The Decline and Fall of The Roman Empire.

Enough with the love fest, continue to show Omega where he is in error.

I don't know why death penality does not work in the US (possibilly because most scum bags are just as well armed as the local polices?), but death penality sure works for other country, Singapore , China, Japan, etc...

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What is the difference between a terriorist and your girlfriend?
- With terrorist, there is a chance of negotiation.

But now I'll do something different. I'll attack it using Christianity.

Matthew 5

quote:

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(38) "You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' (39) But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (40) And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (41) If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (42) Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (43) "You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (44) But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

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Dear Religious Right: Please shut up.

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"I can be creative when I have a good idea. That just happens way too rarely."
-Omega, April 6

Was it really necessary, in the middle of an argument about the Death Penalty, for you to inform us all that you are not gay, Jeff?

You know, it's interesting how people arguing against the Death Penalty are going for Omega. There are lots of other people who agree with it, you know. Yet no-one wants to argue with First of Two. Hmm.

Also, is it really necessary for you lot to adopt a mob-mentality, and stand on the virtual street corners shouting "Omega's a racist!"? It doesn't help anything. The only thing he's said that even close to that is that black people, in the US, commit more murders than white people, relative to their segment of the population. Now, assuming that's true, stating the facts doesn't actually make him a racist, does it? If I said "Black people can't swim as well as white people, on average", that's not being racist. That's pointing out a fact.

BlueElectron: I didn't think that Japan had the death penalty. I could be wrong. Although, to be fair, you are living in a time when the USSR still exists, so your information could be out of date.

>"why does God not disaprove of the Death Penalty?"

Because HE frags people right and left, and incites his followers to do so as well, (which you'd know if you'd read any bits of the Bibble beyond what they put Charlton Heston in.)

As for calling Omega a racist, one has to wonder at that... is a statement racist if it's true?

According to the FBI's crime statistics (you can go look them up for yourself), somewhere around 50% of murders (I actually can't remember if it was 54% or 45%, so I picked halfway in between) in the US are committed by Blacks. So far, so good.

Then, we look at US population statistics, and notice that Blacks make up only about 12% of the population.

Which means, no matter how you look at it, that the rate IS disproportionately higher, like it or not.

As for Omega's 'homophobism': I put it to you that, despite all the high-horse attitudes here, many activists WOULD 'play favorites' with their group-of-choice, and Omega's rightfully pointing that out.

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The government that seems the most unwise, oft goodness to the people best supplies. That which is meddling, touching everything, will work but ill, and disappointment bring. - The Tao Te Ching