Quote:
Originally posted by Spelca:
Timber: I think the reason why the people that are against the death penalty sometimes say that imprisonment is the worst punishment is because they think that's the only way they can convince the pro-death penatly people. Pro-death penalty people often see the death penalty as something which will punish the prisoner the most, so the other side try to satisfy them by saying that being in a cell for the rest of your life is worse - since the others think they deserve the worst punishment possible. [img]smile.gif[/img] But there are also some people which actually believe that life imprisonment is worse than death (I think that, but that's not why I'm against the death penalty  ).
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But that's the whole problem. Look, either imprisonment is worse or it's not. If you think it's worse than death, than refuse to imprison people. If you don't think it's worse, then don't try to give a pro DP person some BS argument about how bad sitting in prison is.
Even with this post, you seem to hem and haw. "We argue prison is worse because it will convince people, but many of us don't believe it, but I do, but it's not the reason I'm against the DP." Rambling a little, isn't it?
Here, let me point out your logical blunder:
1. Killing someone is a horrible punishment.
2. Imprisoning them is worse.
3. Ergo, the government can imprison, but not kill....
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....wait.... no that's not right. But, it's what you said.
I just want to see a non-DP argument that does hinge on "It is wrong to kill." Because it is also "wrong to imprison" and "wrong to take money (fines)." Soceity can levy punishments that are things that are wrong for us to do to each other, else how would they "punish." I dare you to find me one instance of a criminal punishment that is something that is not "wrong" for us to do to each other. Ergo, of course it is true that "It is wrong to kill," but that is meaningless in distinguishing why this one punishment gets a special place of honor as "prohibited."
Now, if you are into the "levels of wrong" and that killing is a worse wrong, fine, you've staked your position. However, don't lie to me by contradicting yourself and saying "but prison's worse." BS. Cause if it is, either it too should be prohibited, or both it and DP should be allowed. Any punishment of a higher magnitude than a "prohibited" punishment would certainly falter.
[ 12-02-2003, 02:26 PM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]