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About Me
- Dawn Sparks
- I am currently an adjunct professor at three different colleges: Northwest Shoals Community College, Columbia State Community College, and Itawamba Community College. This means my life consists of all things English related 24 hours a day.
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I think the death penalty is a load of garbage. It is a very controversial topic, but in my opinion I think it should be done away with. It is very expensive to put people on death row, and sometimes they are wrongfully commited of a crime. Also, I think that people should have the choice between life in prison or the death penalty.
ReplyDeleteNatasha, the email address you gave me isn't working for some reason. Check your cstate email for info regarding out side of the debate.
DeletePersonally, I am stuck between the death penalty being legal or illegal beacuse I believe in the saying " what comes around, goes around." Meaning that if you are willing to kill another human being then get ready for the same to happen to you. Also, I think that sending the convicted to prison for the rest of his/her life is more of a punishment because he/she has to stay in prison without parol and die in prison.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the death penalty is expensive because of the needles, medicine, and space. But, sending them to prison is just as expensive because they have to feed, clothe, and pay for medical expenses. Being in this situation is like holding a double-edged sword.
The death penalty is inhumane and uncivilized because its unconstitutional. It violates three constitutional laws. Although, if my family or close friends were murdered by a person, there is no one I know that wouldn't want the same fate to happen to the person who murdered their loved ones. It is easy to say that killing the covicted for murdering a human being, but you have to ask yourself, If this person they murdered was a person you loved would you let him/her live? I wouldn't.
As with some other people, I'm on the fence about whether or not the death penalty should be legal or illegal. There are good reasons for keeping the death penalty as well as illegalizing it.
ReplyDeleteI personally feel that the death sentence, if it were to be completely legal, should be reserved specifically for murderers. I do believe that the murderer in question should be killed in the same way that he or she killed his or her victim.
Most people don't believe that the death penalty is humane, but neither is murdering someone.
I feel that as long as the death penalty is saved for only those who are willing to take another persons life that it is a good thing. Just because they may be given life in prison, doesn't mean that they are not capable of still taking violent acts on another human being. Those with no regard to human life to me looses the right to have a choice in their own life. I simply do not wish to pay for them to not worry where their next meal will come from or if they will have a bed to sleep in, medications they may need. There are way too many innocent people here in our own communities that really have these worries everyday. If money is to be spent on housing and feeding I would rather spend it on those of the less fortunate.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe the government has the right to have the death penalty in place. I am an evangelical Christian who reads the Bible as complete truth. This means that I base all of my beliefs, including the one about the death penalty, on the Word of God. The Bible points to the death penalty in many cases, but what many people fail to see is the mercy God has on those who deserve death.
ReplyDeleteThe death penalty is clearly put into play in the Old Testament. Exodus 21:14 (NIV) says, “…if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my [God’s] alter and put him to death.” God put the death penalty in play for murder (Exodus 21:14), kidnapping (Exodus 21:16), adultery (Leviticus 20:10), and many other crimes. The government has been established to carry out these laws. Romans 13:1 (NIV) states “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established…” God has established the government, and therefore, I believe we should obey it.
In the Bible there are many instances when God shows mercy, even to those deserving death. Romans 6:23 (NIV) says, “…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Everyone deserves death for even the smallest sins, but God offers us not only an escape from death and sin but eternal life through His Son Jesus. In John 8, a story is told about Jesus being met by religious Jewish leaders and a woman they caught committing adultery. The law was that adultery deserves death. Jesus saves her by pointing out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who have sinned in other ways. Another example of God’s mercy concerning the death penalty comes from a story in 2 Samuel 11-12. David, a king in Israel before Jesus’ time, committed adultery then had the woman’s husband killed. He broke two laws deserving of death, but God spares David who begged for forgiveness.
I believe there are and should be consequences for sin, but I believe there should also be mercy because of the mercy God showed us. Our government provides consequences and mercy with its current system. The death penalty is a consequence for major crimes. Those who are accused of major crimes have trials were the judge and jury may have mercy on them or find them to be innocent. This is a great marriage between law and mercy. I believe this marriage is dictated by God, the one who appoints governments.
The death penalty, for the most part, has been a controversial topic with both sides strongly supporting their view. It is kind of a catch twenty-two because, on one hand, killing people may seem cruel, unfair, or inhumane, but on the other hand, the convicts must be punished. Yes, they could technically be punished by serving time, but as tax payers, we would be responsible to pay the money necessary for them to serve a life-sentence.
ReplyDeleteI believe that there are ways to change the death penalty, making it more affective. Some of these include, applying the death sentence for only certain kinds of crimes— like murder and to have one standard, cheaper method to use in all states. These changes might decrease the cost while increasing the effectiveness.
It seems possible that if the death penalty were more strictly or regularly enforced, it would have a larger effect on the number of prevention of murders. I think we need to reevaluate the present effectiveness of the death penalty. The statistics for the death penalty also need to be examined, in order to look at what would be most effective in preventing crime for the society.
I can't say wether im pro death penalty or not because I see both sides of this controversial topic. It is the ultimate punishment that seems to be cruel and unfair. On the other hand, people that break the law should have consequences, but for me personally I don't see how I'd be able to decide wether someone should live or be put to death.
ReplyDeleteThe death penalty is cruel from the perspective of a convicted criminal that could've been innocent. Some people that are convicted do not have the finacial means for a lawyer, and could get found guilty just for a lack of good defense. Peoples lives are being taken that might have not been correctly convicted, so that's why I agree with the point of it being unfair. I also see senseable reasons for the death penalty.
The death penalty is a warning I feel that shows citizens that crime will not be tolerated in society. The only crime I think the death penalty should be carried out for is murder. If a person is willing to take another's life then the same fate they gave his or her victim should be carried out for the criminal. If the criminal has no reguard for another's life and makes the decision to kill somone, then his life should be decided on by others as well.
The Death Penalty to me seems to be a bit over rated. Just to let you all know i am going to put myself into a criminals shoes for a while.. (aka EXAMPLE ONLY) Going to be sentenced to death would be the easy way out. To have the idea that i am ready to take my own life. Why not take someone else right along with me? Im going to die anyways..
ReplyDeleteThen being stuck in jail for life for something would pose its own terrifying experiences. In prison there are gangs that form and people take sides. For new inmates you are constantly looking over your shoulder the entire time that your there.. To me this would be the worst torture. Living in fear everyday.
The death sentence i believe isn't effective. Like i explained, being sentenced to death would be quick and easy. With life in prison they will have to choose to get in a gang that has strict rules and constantly looking behind your back. Or they can choose to be a loner and still have to look over your shoulder. There is no rest. For me, life in prison would keep me from doing anything dumb.
I believe that the death penalty can have it's place in a modern society, but should only be dealt out to those whose crimes meet extreme criteria.
ReplyDeleteI believe that those serving in our military should hold themselves to a high standard of living, both personally and professionally, and if a soldier exhibits murderous or highly immoral conduct in the field, they, as standard bearers, should be made more subject to 'dying by the sword' that they were entrusted to live by.
As far as civilian life goes, the death penalty, I believe, should be reserved for premeditated murder, and possibly certain pathologically motivated crimes. Cases should be proven exhaustively, of course, but carried out with minimal bureaucratic delay once done so.
I agree with the Death Penalty. My great-great grandfather was a prison guard in Marianna Florida and on his way home one night two escaped convicts were hiding in the woods and killed him. The act of taking someone’s life deliberately and taking them away from the people that love them is a horrendous act. In one fatal swoop all the opportunities in life and memories that could have been made are taken. To help prevent this kind of crime the Death Penalty has been put in place so that hopefully it would install fear into the person who was thinking about killing another person.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree that there are problems with the system. I know that innocent people can be wrongly convicted. I know that the state spends thousands of dollars and other families will lose a loved one. It also is a concern that mentally ill people who cannot control their actions due to their illness could be put to death. Even though all of these are very real concerns I believe that states with a death penalty in place causes a criminal to think twice about their actions because the price they have to pay is their own life.
Each case should be looked at individually an example of this would be the resent murders of a family in Nashville last week where a man went into the home of his neighbors and killed a grandmother, a mother and a son. What were his motifs? Was he angry over an argument? Is he mentally unstable? These are all factors that the courts must determine to be fair to both families involved, the victims as well as the perpetrator. It is a difficult scale to balance when lives are in jeopardy but one that we must do our best to weigh evenly.
I don't feel as though I have the clearest view on the death penalty. I feel, though it is a harsh punishment, in some cases it seems appropriate. It should only be reserved for the most heinous crimes.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know how people in this world think that they can do something as awful as murder and get off with just a 25-life sentence in prison. Especially premeditated murder. I believe that people should be given a punishment to match their crime. Quid pro quo. Punishment for action. But, I do still believe that every person is innocent until proven guilty.
Even though I don't fully understand the death penalty to have a true opinion on it, I believe that it is an acceptable punishment for those who truly deserve it.
The death penalty is a major topic to discuss. I believe in most cases I would be for it. I do not believe some odd years would be enough for child molesters,rapests,and murders. I strongly agree with the death penalty for crimes such as those, others not so much.
ReplyDeleteIf we just put a rapest in jail they still have the chance of escaping prison, and going back after the person they committed the crime against in the first place. How could the victom sleep at night knowing in the back of the persons head that the criminal still walks, sleeps,and eats?
I believe we could all sleep alittle better at night if we just executed the psycopaths in the world.
I believe the death penalty should be used in modern society. Having consequences for crime is a important factor in preventing crime. That being said, it should only be given to the most serious offenders like murders.
ReplyDeleteCurrently the death penalty is somewhat ineffective. The time between the crime and punishment is very long, this need to be shortened so people can see the correlation in the crime and punishment. The cost also needs to be reduced. Killing is easy and cheep but the process of getting there is what cost most due to additional costs of capital trials, enhanced security on death row, and legal representation. If cost is a factor in justice, then all crimes should have parole as a option.
Every case should be looked at on a individual level. All variables should be looked at and accounted for.
In the end, no matter what side is chosen, murders will be let free and innocent people will be killed. That is how this imperfect world works.
Everyone has different views on the death penalty. I do not agree with it at all. I feel like it is a easy way out for criminals but at the same time, if what he or she did was that extreme of a crime then maybe it should happen.
ReplyDeleteI personally feel that I could read a few Bible scriptures that would explain why it is wrong. I would never kill anyone because of something they have done, and I wouldn't expect the government to do that either. Everything happens for a reason and if dying is a consequence for an action, then it should happen naturally. Not by the hands of other men.
In my opinion I would have to say that the Death penalty is wrong. On the other hand I think it depends on the accused. Yes, people that are sentenced to life in prison would rather be dead, but it doesn't create as much controversy in the media. If the wrong person gets the death penalty and is later proved innocent then you can't exactly bring them back from the grave.
ReplyDeleteI believe I am against the death penalty but if someone has killed forty people and has no regrets then they should be put down so to speak. If you put a person like that in prison then he or she could be a threat to other prisoners.
People being executed when they were really innocent is a huge deal. It can destroy not only the persons life but their families as well. Not only does it cost more to execute someone but when you execute the wrong person its even more of a waist of money. When you find the person that is truly guilty then you have to go through all the processes of making sure he or she is actually guilty this time and then having to execute them as well.
Having a debate over the death penalty is something that is going to teach me a lot. Already, I have learned new things. I have always been for the death penalty, but looking some of the cons has somewhat made me change my mind.
ReplyDeleteThe cons of the death penalty is something that everyone needs to look at. Even if someone is strongly for it, he or she needs know why a lot of states are against it. One of the cons that i have learned about is that there are three different medicines used in the death sentence. The first is used to make the person unconscious. The second is to paralyze the muscles, and the third is used to cause cardiac arrest. If the first medicine does not completely make the person unconscious, the will feel the pain of the other two.
The death penalty is a great topic that everyone needs to see both sides of. In a matter of minutes, someone can change their mind on a very serious topic.
The death penalty is just another one of the subjects that many people will have different opinions over. There are many reasons where I could see why people find it right, but there is also many good points to why it is wrong.
ReplyDeleteI understand that families and other loved ones would like to see a criminal be put away with and killed for damage they have caused. For the evil doings and suffering they have caused, then they too should just be killed. There is just many more reasons why it is right to use the death sentence.
On the other hand, what if the criminal was just wrongly accused, then they actually aren't a criminal at all. That would be terrible to kill someone for nothing. There is also many more reasons as to why I would agree with doing away with the death sentence.
All in all, I can't actually make a decision about this topic. There is just too many good, important reasons on both sides to think about.
The death penalty is one of those lovely topics that no one really know the answer to. I understand the pain that the familes must go through. All they wanna see it something done about it in a equal way. I would agree with them. I wouldn't want to find out that my family was killed by a murder and see nothing done with it.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand what gave them the right to end a life. Also cause hurt and pain to others. Now with all things the is a fine line of grey. Do I think if your in a car wreck and it happens to kill someone and you get changed with manslaugter is right, no. But it does happen. Some people take it to far with court. I think if you kill someone your putting yourself in their shoe and you should end your life because you ended that person and a future famliy that person may have. eye for a eye.
This is a tough subject no doubt, because I do believe that there should be consequences to peoples actions, but the idea of taking someones life bothers me.I personally don't believe in an afterlife, so I think that we don't get a second chance.
ReplyDeleteIf someone kills someone else that person might change later on after a long time spent in prison, rather than just ridding someone the chance to better themselves.
People need to realize that death could be the end of a human being without a chance of redemption, I think even criminals have the right of redemption while they still live.
This is a really hard topic. I am a stong believer in consequences, but however I don't feel that it is my place to judge whether they die or not. I see pros and cons of the dealth sentence.
ReplyDeleteI have a cousin that was executed 3 years ago, and as bad as it may seem, it relieved a lot of stress and heart ache off his mother and siblings. Yes, no mother wants to lose a child but once the executions was over, that was chapter in her life she could close, and no longer had to face. His actions caused a lot of problems in our family and ultimatley separted some of us, even putting his mom in bad health. but also think of the vitims.
Like I said I do not feel that is in my place to judge whether someone should but if it is legal to perform executions in your state and someone is sentenced to dealth, that is on them.
This has always been a very controversial topic among my friends and family and I try not too be too outspoken about it, but I personally am for the death penalty. I believe it can be used as a motivator for criminals to really think about their crimes before committing them, as well as the most effective way to be sure a certain criminal does not repeat their actions. I, however, am not blind, and I do see the good and bad behind capital punishment.
ReplyDeleteSome criminals, provided they are sane, may think twice about a crime before committing it if they know that they will be faced with death should they decide to go through with their actions. I'm not suggesting that it will be effective on everyone, but I definitely subscribe to the theory that the threat can be an effective deterrent to some who may otherwise go through with the action simply because they know that the worst thing that could happen is for them to be jailed for the remainder of their life. Some prisons in the U.S. have televisions in the inmate's cells, as well as libraries for things to read, there are group sports, hobbies, and interest groups as well. In my opinion, these sorts of things should not be available to someone who, for example, brutally murdered people throughout their life; and their worst fear would only be living for free in a prison with all these amenities available to them for the remainder of life.
Also, the death penalty is the only way to ensure with certainty that a criminal can not repeat his actions. If put into prison, it is entirely possible for him to escape, go into hiding, even leave the country, and to repeat his actions elsewhere.
As I said before, I can see that there are downsides to the death penalty, such as cost, and wrongful convictions. The judicial system here isn't perfect, and there have certainly been innocent people put to death for crimes someone else committed. I do not think that this is a problem with capital punishment, so much as it is a problem with the way trials are conducted and evidence is gathered. The death penalty can also be expensive, and I think this is only a problem with the amount of time it takes to actually execute the condemned from the time they are sentenced to death. In my opinion, there should me a limited appeals process, and after those appeals are used, assuming the condemned chooses to use them, the execution should be carried out as quickly as possible. This would minimize appeals costs as well as living costs for those on death row.
So, overall, I can see that there are good sides and bad sides to capital punishment, but I think if applied properly, it can be a very effective method of punishment for those who have committed capital crimes, and even on the level of being a deterrent to those considering committing these crimes.
Certainly the death penalty has controversial issues that can be argued either way. It was struck down in 1972 and reinstated by the US Supreme Court in 1976. I feel that, if reserved for the most violent criminals, it has been and is a necessary punishment. There will always be human error in any process and that is no fault of capital punishment. I think about what would go through the mind of a murderer and why so many mass murderers end up taking their own lives anyway. The shootings at schools and movie theatres shows us that these murderers have no value for life. Many would rather have the control to take their own life than to be given a death sentence. Forget cost, deterrence, or any other justification. To oppose capital punishment is to show value to someone's life when they, in turn, showed no value in their victim(s)'. Would you give your innocent life to give your perpetrator a second chance at their own life? Would circumstances change your opinion?
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