"Guarantee that no mistakes will be made in administering the death penalty."
Not possible, until and perhaps if, DNA testing becomes mandatory in death penalty cases, which I think it should be.
"Would you say that we treat them badly, and if so, could you provide some examples/evidence?"
Yes, I do think we treat them badly. Just look at the way the court system titles trials: "The STATE vs. the murderer," not "THE VICTIMS' FAMILIES vs. the murderer." Look at how the victims of rape are dragged through the mud by defense attorneys; look at how dead victims are dragged through the mud--all in an attempt to prove that the victim brought it on themselves. The rights of the victims/victims' families are practically nonexistent, because everyone is so worried about the rights of the accused, and after conviction, the rights of the criminals, that the people who have been destroyed are further destroyed in the process.
"Do you think the poor deserve adequate representation at trial?"
Yes, I do. However, I don't think that someone should get a slap on the wrist because of race or economic status. What should matter is not race or economics, but GUILT.
"Are you saying that you think they let people out early or let people off light because they are poor?"
I think that people are more vocal when a poor person is convicted, yes. It's one more way to exacerbate the resentment between the classes. When a poor person is convicted, the first thing that people jump on is "he wouldn't have been convicted if he were rich." Not necessarily true.
"Sad, isn't it? Too bad our society is so reactive and less proactive...maybe we wouldn't have such high recidivism rates."
And what would you suggest to be proactive? How can one be proactive with a sociopath? Sociopathy cannot be cured. Period.
"Apples and oranges: Saudi Arabia is a completely different society from the US."
I was referring to the "Swift and sure"
"So, if a sociopath cannot live in society, they should be killed, even if they've never killed? Not to mention, the brain is still developing at age 15."
I didn't say that. I said that people who murder in cold blood should be eliminated so that they can no longer prey on society. They serve no purpose, and we should not have to pay for their upkeep. And sociopathy is evident by age 15 through a group of behaviors. This isn't something that was pulled out of someone's ass...this information is the result of study of these individuals. Sociopaths cannot be cured.
"This is essentially eugenics. Why are some of those retarded kids cunning and sneaky and unruly? Ummm, gee, could it be because their brain is fucked up?"
No. It's not because their brains are fucked up. I.Q. and cunning don't necessarily go together. Ask Troubleshooter about some of these kids; I'm sure Wolf has had to deal with her share. Retardation is not always as debilitating as people think. Severe retardation is one thing. Mild retardation does not prevent violence, sneakiness, or cunning.
"If a person is a danger without being on meds, and those meds will not produce life-threatening side effects, then I think they should be forced to take them. Or they should be committed to an institution."
You can't force them. It's a violation of their rights. Most of them ARE in an institution. That doesn't change their dangerousness. They can escape, or they're let out because they seem to be doing better (ie, they take meds long enough to even out, then quit once they're released.)
"The term "revenge", to me, hints of a lack of impartiality...it seems to be based on emotion, not logic."
Hell yes. If someone I loved was a victim, I'd pull the switch myself. The law says "if you do this, this will happen." That's the logic part.
"When you fuck up and break the law, society deems that one should be punished (and hopefully) rehabilitated. It's not about revenge...it's more like penance."
Penance my butt...they don't get punished, and they don't get rehabilitated. They just learn how to be better criminals.
"Again, you're making a broad generalization...not all prisoners live in luxury. Most of them don't, actually."
They have more amenities than I do. I can't get health care if I get sick. If my eyes go, I can't go to the eye doctor. I don't have cable. Any of the downsides are not my problem. They got themselves into it. They knew the penalty if they got caught.
"As I see it, we rely too much on the law to protect us. We must be more proactive in stopping crime before it starts. This is easier said than done though...I think it would take a massive overhaul of society to accomplish this."
That's what the law is THERE for. People will be people, and some people will be predators. We kill rabid dogs. Why do we hesitate to do the same to rabid humans? At least the rabid dog has an excuse for his behavior....
quote:And how about in England, where those children lured the little boy out of the mall and killed him on the railroad tracks? That deserves the death penalty, as far as I'm concerned. If children that young are killing already, all they're going to learn is that they can get away with it. They lured an innocent child to his death. For the fun of it. I have no sympathy for them. They deserve to die. A life for a life. It may not bring the little boy back, but it may save someone else's life in the future. That's what's important, not the feelings of the poor killer.
"Link, please?"
These are just two of the many articles on the Bulger Murder:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/bulger/art...5276%2C00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,38...103494,00.html
Here's one if you want more articles:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/search/...pe=all&tab=www
"And do you really think the death penalty has been that strong of a deterrent?"
If used swiftly and surely on those who are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, YES. But we don't use it swiftly and surely. You're more likely to rot in jail than you are to get fried.
Here's another website, this one on murderous children. Notice the ages, and notice their attitudes.
http://www.petercoad.co.uk/033.htm
Sidhe