I have a confession to make. [View all]
Last edited Sat Jan 18, 2014, 04:06 PM - Edit history (1)
While I strongly oppose it in all cases, I must admit, I am not one who has a deep-rooted, gut-level horror of the death penalty. I get the instinct. Honestly, there are crimes that I hear/read about (particularly that involve children, where my honest reaction is "this person deserves the worst we can think up. And if he/she is put to death, I won't shed a tear" I'm not proud of it, but it's the truth. I don't know that I can say that I find opposing the death penalty to be an easy or instinctual position for me. But I do strongly oppose it, because I don't think the state should have that power, and I do think it diminishes all of us when we allow the State to kill or torture in our names. The thing is, while I get the desire for vengeance, no one should be legislating or sentencing based on my, or anyone's, darker instincts.
I will say one more thing. I will happily accept allies who come to their opposition to the death penalty for more pragmatic reasons. (Financial, possibility of an innocent person being executed)
My 2 cents worth.
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