>>>>>>>>>It'd be nice if the USA would put an end to this barbaric practice of killing it's own people and join the 21st century with the rest of the civilized world.
>>>>>
>>>>>I kind of like to think of it as the civilized practice of killing our own barbarians. <s>
>>>>
>>>>I am 100% against the death penalty now and 100% for moving all convicted murderers (in the case where dna evidence or other substantial evidence was used in the conviction) north of Alaska to a floating ice island. Keeping warm and surviving will keep them all busy. Build an ice station in the arctic circle for them. :o)
>>>
>>>SET CRANKY OLD MAN ON
>>>
>>>I think those who oppose killed murderers should pool their money and support them for the rest of their lives ( ice flow is good - will cut costs ). I don't think the state should be in the business of supporting life that is of no value to society. If people feel passionately about 40 years of very expensive confinement, let them subsidize it - with their money, not mine. I'll put up a matching amount of money to support abused children and the "deserving poor" ( too bad that concept has gone out of fashion). Resources - and compassion - have limits and should be focused where they will do the most good.
>>>
>>>I don't care much about the fate of murderers etc other than that I would like to see the risk shifted to those who commit acts that endanger other people. Armed robbery should mean risking death. Home invasion should mean risking death. Crimes against the weak or helpless, against children or just involving cruelty should risk death.
>>>
>>>Once somebody crosses the line of being a danger to others - no sympathy, no extenuating circumstances, no technicalities. Most people can go through their whole lives without risking being "wrongly" accused of a capital crime. Perhaps those who can't are making bad choices. Choices have consequences.
>>>
>>>(I'm in a bit of a Judge Roy Bean mood today. Our corrupt county auditor just got 21 years - fine with me - he's a sleaze. Murderers, rapists, abusers of children often get less... and if they get more generate far more sympathy than they deserve by many who should know better. )
>>>
>>>Cranky today. A good friend and colleague is up at Mayo clinic looking for a way to not die 40 years too soon. Lots of energy is going into figuring out how to save people the planet needs a lot less.
>>
>>Good luck to your friend. I will skip the debate about capital punishment, another block we have all been around before.
>>
>>PS -- You forgot to SET CRANKY OLD MAN OFF ;-)
>
>I was going to but then some o' them dang kids got on my lawn ...
>
>( Capitol Steps has a great series of Rolling Stones songs including "Hey Hey, you you, get offa my lawn ... " )

It's called a fence :o)