Court considers paralysis punishment

[VulcanRider]

Just execute him. He tried to commit murder so I'd say that sentence is justified. Turning him into a long-term burden won't help anyone.

[Firestormalpha]

Originally Posted by Firestormalpha Of course, I've always said one sure way to reduce crime dramatically is to invoke the death penalty for any felony level offense, to be imposed no longer than a month after sentencing. But this creates a rule by terror system that the greater majority (if not all) of humanity wouldn't like very much.

Originally Posted by Timber Loftis Firestorm, I think you may have little clue as to how easy it can be for a normal person to mistakenly stumble into a felony, so you may want to reconsider. For instance, I know a kid, early 20's college student, who just got sentenced to 55 years because he made the mistake of giving the car ride to another dude who had a huge brick of cocaine in his backpack.

Read carefully, I only said it would reduce crime levels. When the punishment is the loss of your life, you're less inclined to do it.

However I don't advocate this standard as it tends to create a rule by terror. (and by saying 'tends to' I am grossly understating it.)

[Hindsight]

When the punishment is the loss of your life, you're less inclined to do it.

I have a feeling that none of us here have a clue about how desperate people in other parts of the world are, and what they will do out of desperation. It's easy to pass judgment.

[Lord of Alcohol]

Originally Posted by Hindsight I have a feeling that none of us here have a clue about how desperate people in other parts of the world are, and what they will do out of desperation. It's easy to pass judgment.

And i have a clue they are therefore better off dead. Yea it easy to pass judgement, and even in my dire finacial straits (yea this economy sucks) I will not be going robbing. Sometimes you really are better off dead.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Timber Loftis Chewie, how merciful would you be in this case? Imprison the guy? Let him skate free? Fine him? Minimal fine or high fine? Etc. It's all just different version of the same system. You say Hammurabi, I say Himmurabi.

Yes I agree, the punishment system in general across all human cultures is what's flawed to various degrees and will remain that way until the root cause of violence is recognized and addressed rather reacting to it's effects.

How does one teach another the respect the life and liberty of each and every other? That is the challenge. The human conscience is not something that can be just pointed out. It is an individual expirience and self-evident.

Helping a person find their conscience, so that they are inspired to provide restitution, rather than have it forced upon them by the State. However we discover that can be done, I find that approach quite merciful indeed. Also quite idealistic, but everything is born from dreams and visions.

[Cerek]

Originally Posted by Sever I don't go for capital punishment, as a rule. Not that i don't think there are people who deserve to die. There certainly is. It's just that i don't believe there's a single person on the Earth who's righteous enough to be justified in delivering that sentence.

That's why it is left up to a government or court system to deliver the sentence. It isn't an individual that is deciding the fate of the criminal, it is the chosen representative system of the society in question.

[Cerek]

Originally Posted by Firestormalpha Read carefully, I only said it would reduce crime levels. When the punishment is the loss of your life, you're less inclined to do it. However I don't advocate this standard as it tends to create a rule by terror. (and by saying 'tends to' I am grossly understating it.)

Research actually shows the opposite. States and countries with sever capital punishment laws tend to have the highest crime rates. Yes, I know it is counter-intuitive, but that is what history tends to show us.

England implemented one of the most severe "No Tolerance" policies in the 1700's (IIRC). Executions were swift and plentiful. The crime rate increased dramatically during this time, forcing Parliament to rethink their position and make changes in the system.

[Illumina Drathiran'ar]

Remind me again why people hate Iran but not the Saudis?

[Sever]

They don't come round for bbq and beers, but they do play ball.

[Lord of Alcohol]

There hasnt been squabbling in two days wtf? Will I have to scold?