Poll: The death penalty, are you for or against?

[Robbo]

I know there have been threads on this before, but not for a good while (and we have different members around now and so on).

As this was just brought up in another thread, I'd thought I'd ask. We could have a poll if the mods think it's a good idea, up to them.

Are you for or against the death penalty?

Generally, I'm against it. However, I think in some cases where guilt is completely beyond doubt, and the person has zero chance of rehabilitation, it could be a viable option. Anders Behring Breivik being a prime example, he's going to cost money to keep alive with absolutely zero benefit.

 

[Robbo]

Or is he insane? And thus wasn't aware he was carrying out a criminal act?

I believe he's always claimed that he knew what he was doing was wrong, but it was 'required'.

He's as close to 100% guilty as you'll ever get.

 

[Robbo]

75 people in favour at time of posting... That is one hell of a disturbing result

What's more irritating are the people who are implying people are 'dumb' or 'retarded' for supporting the death penalty. It's easy for them to vote in an anonymous poll than say what they think here and be vilified for it. I think it's a far more popular view than people seem to think.

I can understand both sides without getting too bothered about it. I think there are some people who are just simply better off dead. They are evil and will always be beyond help. Breivik being a prime example. He's 100% guilty, and shows zero remorse. Due to the nature of what he's done, he can never be allowed back into society - no matter what.

Okay, you can make the argument that people are insane and don't know what they are doing. Yes, that may be true of some people, but maybe that's because people are too frightened to accept the reality that some people are just evil. Hitler wasn't stupid, but he was evil. Breivik doesn't seem stupid, he appears quite intelligent by all accounts, but he's evil.

On the flip side, 100% certain convictions aren't a common occurrence so the use of such a penalty would be very limited. You can say that the state shouldn't have the right to choose who lives and dies, but it's not really like that, they are just removing the threat of a massively dangerous person.

 

[Robbo]

What about this then, go watch a video called no and tell me what you think should be done with those lads? Caution its very disturbing and is one of the reasons my view on this subject is the way it is. Some people just deserve death.

I wouldn't recommend this so flippantly, people probably shouldn't watch that.

 

[Robbo]

The poll is quite fascinating, it's almost split 50:50.

From 'real life' experience, I'd say that's about right. Many, many people think some people just deserve to die (without thinking about the far more complex issues behind everything).

 

[Robbo]

I've just realised something, we don't we use lie detector tests in court?

They are only 96% accurate.