Death penalty enthusiasts
Just a word to the numerous death penalty enthusiasts who these last two days took time out of their busy schedules to email vulgar criticisms of my Sunday column on the subject. First, thanks, the feedback is always appreciated (especially from those of you who say you no longer read my column or The Sun). Secondly, congratulations -- it is clear from reading these letters that at least some of you can use SpellCheck and express thoughts, albeit hackneyed ones, in complete sentences. But you wrongly characterize the Civiletti commission and its members and you appear to have no understanding of the conclusions in its final report. So, please, read it. You can look it up. It’s on line at http://www.goccp.org/capital-punishment/
Then, if you want to write another angry email, fine. I’m here to serve.
Then, if you want to write another angry email, fine. I’m here to serve.
Comments
Dan,
At a time when the newspaper industry appears to be struggling, I would think you'd be happy to have this sort of feedback. Why drive your customers away at a time like this?
Posted by: Ron | February 24, 2009 8:31 AM
Dan,
I don't need to read the commission's report to shape my views on the death penalty. I believe if a person commits certain crimes, he/she has forfeited the right to live among society, even if society becomes prison. Those crimes including killing a law enforcement officer on active duty, killing a pregnant woman, and sexually assaulting and killing a child.
Dan, for one minute, come off of your liberal soapbox and consider this scenario. I presume you are married. What if your wife was brutally raped and murdered? Would you still feel the same about the death penalty? Until you are actually in a scenario like that (and I pray that you never are), you cannot know how your feelings would be. If your were still anti-death penalty after a brutal scenario like that, then you are true to your convictions. I hope my spelling and grammar passed your test.
Posted by: Mark | February 24, 2009 8:39 AM
I note a not-so-subtle insulting tone towards in you towards supporters of the death penalty (overwhelming majority of Americans). The death penalty should be EXPANDED not reduced and by no means done away with.
Posted by: Steve | February 24, 2009 12:12 PM
In answer to Mark's comment above, you really ought to read the report. It attempts (successfully, in my opinion) to answer the question you raise with your scenario:
"While both life without the possibility of parole and death penalty cases are extremely hard on families of victims, the Commission finds that the effects of capital cases are more detrimental to families than are life without the possibility of parole cases."
Posted by: Dave | February 24, 2009 1:17 PM