How long should Dzhokhar Tsarnaev get behind bars?

[Admiral Yi]

 

[Neil]

I thought Meri was just saying that it is even harder for her to understand what he did given his age. I didn't think she was saying that he should get lenient treatment because of that.

It seemed like she was trying to say that he probably didn't understand what he was doing since he was so young and innoccent and whatnot.  I'm just saying it's a bad idea for women to be allowed to vote, or sit in a legislature, or work certain types of responsible job.

[garbon]

I thought Meri was just saying that it is even harder for her to understand what he did given his age. I didn't think she was saying that he should get lenient treatment because of that.

It seemed like she was trying to say that he probably didn't understand what he was doing since he was so young and innoccent and whatnot.  I'm just saying it's a bad idea for women to be allowed to vote, or sit in a legislature, or work certain types of responsible job.

That's why it is better to read what people have actually written rather than dreaming up what you think they are saying.

[Neil]

I thought Meri was just saying that it is even harder for her to understand what he did given his age. I didn't think she was saying that he should get lenient treatment because of that.

It seemed like she was trying to say that he probably didn't understand what he was doing since he was so young and innoccent and whatnot.  I'm just saying it's a bad idea for women to be allowed to vote, or sit in a legislature, or work certain types of responsible job.

That's why it is better to read what people have actually written rather than dreaming up what you think they are saying.

What would lead you to think that?

[derspiess]

Women never say what they mean anyway.

"I'm not mad.  Really."

Yeah, right.

[Capetan Mihali]

I think he "should" get LWOP.  The scare quotes meaning that I'm not making up my own fantasy-land American penal code; in a country where juveniles could until very recently get LWOP for committing burglary and robbery, and plenty of adults still do get life without parole under crazy "three strikes" laws, conspiring to commit a terrorist attack should pretty clearly get you the most severe punishment short of death.  Probably if big bro were still around, I'd say he "should" get death, they way they split the difference with John Muhhamad ("DC Sniper").

If I were making up my own fantasy penal code, I'm not sure what I'd give the Tsarnaevs, since they're the rare case.  Probably something close to the max in my scheme, life with parole review at various intervals; I don't know if you should ever be let out after doing something like this, but certainly the opportunity to earn privileges and improvements in condition of confinement (contact visits and more of them, furloughs and work release -- though probably not for most terrorism conspiracy crimes), should be part of a parole review.  Or just straight to the firing squad for national enemies/irredeemable baddies (the Ideologue approach), and then a sensible and humane prison system for the rest of the penal system.

[merithyn]

I can understand that, his youth being a factor. But it's just one factor, he still planned and executed what he did. I have a hard time getting past that.  His young age doesn't sway me. He's well old enough to have known what he was doing, and even being under the influence of someone else doesn't absolve him IMO. He didn't have to go along. He had everything. A good life, going to college, American friends, living well, government benefits. But he still wanted to go on this tear, to kill. Planned it all out with his brother, a horrid attack to kill and maim. Then bragged about it. In fact, given the heinous actions he's all the worse.

As for prison time. I don't figure he's going to reform, because as I said he already had everything going for him, a good life and all, but his intentions were quite otherwise.

I understand that. I said that I have a hard time thinking monster when I see him, not that I don't get what he did.

[merithyn]

I thought Meri was just saying that it is even harder for her to understand what he did given his age. I didn't think she was saying that he should get lenient treatment because of that.

I appreciate that you actually read what I post, g.

[garbon]

I thought Meri was just saying that it is even harder for her to understand what he did given his age. I didn't think she was saying that he should get lenient treatment because of that.

I appreciate that you actually read what I post, g.

[CountDeMoney]

Meri, stop being a weenie already.  Goddamn.

[merithyn]

Meri, stop being a weenie already.  Goddamn.

If you haven't figured out by now that I'm a weenie, you'll never learn.

I will always believe the best in people until proven otherwise, and even then, I'll hope that there's a good reason for why they acted that way. It's part of my charm.

[derspiess]

So she gushes over that little Joker shit, but never bothers to give me the benefit of the doubt.  Figures

[merithyn]

So she gushes over that little Joker shit, but never bothers to give me the benefit of the doubt.  Figures

You'd be amazed at how often I give you the benefit of the doubt, derspiess. I'm ever the optimist, no matter how many times I'm let down.

[Neil]

I'm young-looking, maybe.  Maybe that means that you should give me the benefit of the doubt.

[Malthus]

So she gushes over that little Joker shit, but never bothers to give me the benefit of the doubt.  Figures

Try being young and cute.