With the capture of Suspect #2 there have been many opinions as to how the government should punish the 19-year-old. Some filled with anger wished the police slowly killed him, while first blowing off his limbs so that he could be in extreme pain. Others feel the government should “throw the book” at him and seek the death penalty. Although potentially in the minority for my opinion I do not wish the government seeks the death penalty in this case. In fact, I oppose capital punishment.
The U.S. ranks 5th in the number of executions performed last year. China, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia rank ahead. When I was younger I conformed to the opinion that capital punishment was necessary in some cases. It was necessary to enact “justice” for whatever crime the perpetrator enacted. I thought that it was only fair that someone be killed if they had done the same. As I grew older and more carefully analyzed the subject my support began to waver.
I wondered how could I favor the death penalty yet be adamantly against abortion. Religiously I don’t think Jesus ever favored violence. I don’t ever remember reading his approval of killing someone. I think only God is the ultimate judge of punishment, which will occur in the afterlife. I had to though distinguish if I solely held this position because of my religious beliefs. After all there is a separation of church and state. My religious beliefs, or anyone else’s for that matter, should not dictate law in the U.S.
Many terrorists, both international and domestic, seek fame and glory. They thrive in the fact the media will endlessly show their faces to the masses (as I’ve noted many times before I will NOT publicize any of their names or faces on this social platform). They ultimately seek martyrdom. They believe their death will inspire more radicalism. Why should we do what they want? Why should we give anyone who commits atrocities the “easy way out?” How exactly are they punished if they are put to death? For example, lethal injection is supposedly the “most humane” manner to kill someone. So after a few minutes of pain the criminal is dead and so is their punishment. Why should the criminal be afforded a brief sense of punishment for a crime that will have a permanent affect on the victim’s family? Capital punishment only provides a brief sense of “revenge.” Life imprisonment is true punishment. Living the rest of their pathetic lives in a small jail cell is real punishment. Having to relive their trespasses and be haunted by the memory of those they killed is the true punishment.
One would be surprised to learn that in fact it is more expensive to seek the death penalty than to seek life imprisonment. Death penalty cases oftentimes drag on for many years. The prosecuting, legal fees accumulate to a great sum. I only state this for the record. I don’t necessarily think the economics of the situation should be taken into consideration for criminal punishment cases. If a death penalty case is prosecuted for years it only stalls the sense of closure and “justice” for the victim’s family. They have to constantly relive the horrific tragedy over and over.
Why put the grieving family through all of that? Prosecuting attorneys should seek life imprisonment, which should be the norm in these crimes, and should seek an expedient ruling in the trial. The faster the trial has concluded the quicker the family can begin the process of closure and they can finally begin to try to move on with their lives.
I know my opinion may very well be in the minority.
I know my opinion is very much in contrast to many conservative and Republican lawmakers.
The thing is it’s my opinion. I don’t ever dictate my opinion based on what others think. I refuse to pander to any political party or individual. My authenticity may very well prevent any potential and future election prospects. That’s okay with me. I’d rather be true to my beliefs and morals than a puppet to anyone.
If you don’t agree with me that’s okay. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I seek only a fair and respectful debate. That’s really the goal of this blog. If only our politicians shared a similar passion for debate. Far too many of them think of only protecting their benefits and reelection prospects.
As I have said many times. Most politicians are Masters in the Art of Doing Nothing.
What is your opinion on the death penalty?
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @adrakontaidis & @talkrealdebate
