Death Penalty?

[Severe Weather Eddie]

I support the death penalty, because I believe that there are crimes out there that are so heinous that they warrant execution. That said, I do believe that it should be used on a case-by-case basis, and that guilt should be proven 100% beyond a doubt. Thankfully, modern forensics makes that much easier to do today than ever before. (And, by the same token, allows for proof of innocence, as well.)

I see it as more of a punishment than a deterrent, though, but I don't have any statistics to back that up, (I'm sure that they would be available online, though) so I can't make a clear determination about that right now. In a way, I also see it as a "better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it" kind of thing. But like I said, I do believe that there are crimes (and people) out there that warrant the death penalty. (Terrorists, for one.)

[Priest_Revan]

Meh, I'm not for it.

[Twyman]

In the great words of Gandalf.

Who are you, Mr Frodo Baggins, to dictate who is deserving of death.

I'm pretty sure there was a wiser way in how he said it; I have not read the book in years.

Point is, the cessation to anothers mortality is not up to a society to determine. It's a rather grim subject. But then again, it is the human way. We've been doing this sort of barbaric acts since our unveiling to the world. I just find it funny, that in a world that tries to be more civilized, that we are sending a man to death via a hanging for him running a society that the western world disagreed on. We're all victims here. Nothing new.

[Tom Flapwell]

I used to use Gandalf's words to argue against war and other justifications of killing. Trouble is, he was killing a lot of orcs, so he obviously thought that some killing was justified. He had said, "Be not too eager to...," but that isn't the same as "Don't...."

[Twyman]

Well, the Lord of the Rings was a 'good vs evil' shindig, so naturally there would be some disgraceful moralising, which I'm not too into. Just a damned great book by all counts. But just because Gandalf contradicted himself (Although, in his own defence he would outright deny that with his Wizard logic...Which also encompassed "A wizard is never late, nor is he ever early. He arrives precisely when he means to"...Don't try that with employers or clients mind.), doesn't detract the validity in his words.

A contractor is never late, nor is he ever early. He arrives precisely when he means to. I might put that as the company's slogan...That'll attract business.

But anyway...The Death sentence is a incongruous as far as moral being is in state. Very puerile in addition. However, if Saddam's hanging is on live, you know I'll be glued to the television set. But anyway, it is absurd. How can killing justify a loss? As far as safety for the public is concerned, detainment is far more suitable. I still hold strong on the thesis that no human is capable of true malice. That there is no such thing as evil (nor the opposite, benevolence). We all are victims of our enviroment. There's no exception to which I think a death sentence is tolerable.

Ah well, it's easy to have an opinion.

- Alex

[Tom Flapwell]

If there's no such thing as benevolence, then what do you call it when you don't want Saddam hanged?

[Muninn]

If Saddam is hanged in public expect videos of it with "funny alterations" to pop up in YouTube within hours of it happening.

[Priest_Revan]

Can't Saddam just live in a boring jail cell for the rest of his life?

[Twyman]

If there's no such thing as benevolence, then what do you call it when you don't want Saddam hanged?

Personally, I don't care for him being hung - I don't know the fellow. But hypothetically speaking, if I did care so deeply, I would hardly call that benevolence. I would call that moralising. I would call that selfishness on my own half. Everything we do is selfish. No such thing as selflessness. The reason is I think it's barbaric. I think we're above hanging people. The preceding were examples of me being a moralist - I care only because it's convenient to me. It would be me fulfilling my own ideal inside my head. People like PETA for example, want their own little ideal. The people who join the aforementioned organisation, or any for that matter, are exhibiting the common human search for collectivism. To be a part of an ideal. Framework and structure. At the end of the day it's all an intellectual tragedy. Including my own values could be linked to contradictory and involve detriment to my own ideals. I accept that. Life is for living.

There's no so thing as altruism. Benevolence is a farce. In turn, malice, at least true malice is fallacious. All actions boil down to you wanting some sort of self fulfilling input. It's all very simple, and that's my view on things. Sorry for any incoherency.

[Twyman]

If Saddam is hanged in public expect videos of it with "funny alterations" to pop up in YouTube within hours of it happening.

And expect me to watch them. Much like the funny videos that popped up shortly after Zidane's head clashing with that Italian bastard in the World Cup. "Don't you know who I am??? I'm the Juggernaut bitch!"...Oh that was classy, and very classic.

[Priest_Revan]

If Saddam is hanged in public expect videos of it with "funny alterations" to pop up in YouTube within hours of it happening.

Within hours? I expect minutes.

Funny pictures came up within minutes of Steve Irwin's death.

[nickspoon]

If Saddam is hanged in public expect videos of it with "funny alterations" to pop up in YouTube within hours of it happening.

I shall be sated when I see it double-speed to the tune of Yakety Sax.

[Tom Flapwell]

I don't buy Twyman's ideas, especially that an all-selfish world can't have malice, but I don't feel like debating.

[Muninn]

Much like the funny videos that popped up shortly after Zidane's head clashing with that Italian in the World Cup.

I liked this version personally.

Anyway, he's been hanged. I've only seen the parts where they're talking to him before and his dead body lying on the ground. I haven't checked very thoroughly though. I'm not interested.

[Rooster]

Same here. Their country, their laws. Just not my way.