You can't be sorta kinda against the Death Penalty.

[cali]

If you make exceptions, you're not anti-DP. Very few things are as simple or black and white as that. If you say you're anti-DP but believe there are times when it should be applied, than you support the DP. You may support it only for very specific purposes but you do support it. So if that's your position, fine, but it's absurd to still claim you're anti-DP.

[Dappleganger]

1. I agree.

Life is life, death is death and torture is torture.

[Uben]

2. I also agree.......

...and I am pro DP. Don't wanna die? Don't do the crime. Simple as that. Yes, mistakes are made, but that does not mean those who deserve to die for committing a hideous crime get to sit in a cage for the rest of their life. The good of the many outweighs the need of the few.

[RaleighNCDUer]

16. So you see life in a cage as the lesser of the punishments? nt

[LostinVA]

3. Agreed -- you are either anti DP or pro DP

You can say,"I only agree with the DP in these situations: XYZ." But, you're still pro DP.

I am 100% anti DP, and 100% life without parole.

[ejpoeta]

4. i have never really been sure about the death penalty myself.

generally, i don't really agree with it, though there have been cases where I feel that raw emotion that makes me think the person who did it should die the way they killed their victims. But then there are cases where i think it might be a worse punishment for someone to spend their life in prison without parole then to put them to death. like maybe a spouse who kills their spouse for money so they can live it up or something. very vindictive spiteful kind of thinking on my part, i know. but as a general rule, i tend to not really support the death penalty because what does that make us? I am not wishy washy. I am just not sure, and i have a debate in my head every time some pedophile kills a little kid or a husband kills his wife. like scott peterson.... which would be worse for him?? having to live in a cage and not be the 'golden child' anymore i think.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. Murder is murder

I don't see how anyone can waffle on the issue.

[ThomWV]

6. Hitler - Stalin - Idi Amin. Yes, there are men who are deserving of death.

When I wonder if any man should ever be put to death I recall those three names; Hitler, Stalin, and Amin. Then I think to myself, although I do not think any man has a right to take another man's life maybe what is true of the part is not true of the whole and possibly society has a right to put its monsters to death. Maybe?

However there is not one man or woman in any prison in this country who even approaches the height of the bar I have set, nor would someone like Dahmer, or Bundy, or any one of the many others who's names we don't know.

[leeroysphitz]

7. Yes you can. Thoughtful people can have mixed feelings about any issue.

People can always find a gray area. Black and white thinking on any topic limits you.

[cali]

8. Although I generally agree with you about nuance and mixed feelings

you're wrong. You can be pro-DP and be thoughtful and have mixed feelings about it, but you can't say you're anti-DP if you believe it's applicable in some circumstances.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

12. how would you legislate a grey opinion on death penalty?

either you will have death penalty as an option or you won't.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. agreed. i am against the death penalty in all circumstances. doesnt matter how heinous the criminal

[billyoc]

10. No, that would be like being kinda sorta against the war.

:evilgrin:

[SidDithers]

11. Exactly...

K&R.

Sid

[ccharles000]

13. I agree

[QueenOfCalifornia]

14. I created one of those

lovely DU polls on this topic about a year ago... http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=3242934

People like having exceptions.

Me? I am anti death penalty - It is barbaric for a number of reasons.

[JVS]

15. Sure you can be. You're painting it as black and white because you're a hardliner on the issue.

Executions always have occured within the context of a society. For example, in frontier society, nomadic society, or ancient society since there are not the resources or institutions necessary to impose long jail sentences (or even create secure jails) I have no problem with their decision to execute murderers.