Europe at origin of chronic US execution dilemma

[DGuller]

I wonder if there is a market research solution to this problem.

"Have you considered Propofol?  Ask your executioner of Propofol is right for you".

[Siege]

Why so much opposition to capital punishment?

[CountDeMoney]

because of its fierce hostility to capital punishment.

Looking at European convictions for everything from murder to sex offenses, they've got a fierce hostility to jails, too.

[Maladict]

Looking at European convictions for everything from murder to sex offenses, they've got a fierce hostility to jails, too.

True that, I think we closed eight prisons last year. There was even a plan to import Belgian prisoners at one point. 

[Legbiter]

Just hang them. Rope's cheap.

[Zanza]

because of its fierce hostility to capital punishment.

Looking at European convictions for everything from murder to sex offenses, they've got a fierce hostility to jails, too.

Nah, we are fairly normal when you look at the whole world. You guys have a fierce jail fetish.

5% of the world's population and 25% of its prisoners, life sentences for non-violent crimes, long-term isolation in supermax prisons, a for-profit prison industry etc.

American exceptionalism at its finest.

[garbon]

I wonder if there is a market research solution to this problem.

"Have you considered Propofol?  Ask your executioner of Propofol is right for you".

That would be advertising.

[DontSayBanana]

Why so much opposition to capital punishment?

I can think of two reasons: one I agree with, and one I don't.

1) No one is beyond rehabilitation.  Bullshit.  There are sadistic assholes out there who can only improve things for the rest of us by being taken out.
2) The potential for mistakes.  Considering how many death row inmates are being exonerated now, who knows how many innocent people get executed due to flawed trials or evidence?  We make mistakes when we get emotional, and death penalty cases are all about emotion- we can't afford that when someone's life is on the line.

[DGuller]

I think second reason is bullshit too.  If mistakes are a concern, then even long prison sentences are not justifiable.  You can't undo a time spent in prison away from society any more than you can undo an execution.

[Berkut]

I think second reason is bullshit too.  If mistakes are a concern, then even long prison sentences are not justifiable.  You can't undo a time spent in prison away from society any more than you can undo an execution.

Not too mention the fact that if there was a mistake made, the odds of it being found are vastly greater in a death penalty case than a life imprisonment case.

I HATE the "oh, but the DP is so permanent!" argument. It is utterly devoid of any actual rational thought.

I am against the DP in the US simply because it is not worth the trouble.

[Admiral Yi]

Genetic testing is to the death penalty as fracking is to climate change.

[Zanza]

Genetic testing is to the death penalty as fracking is to climate change.

Admiral Yi is to Marty as Marty is to Admiral Yi.

[Admiral Yi]

 

[Brazen]

Why so much opposition to capital punishment?

I can think of two reasons: one I agree with, and one I don't.

1) No one is beyond rehabilitation.  Bullshit.  There are sadistic assholes out there who can only improve things for the rest of us by being taken out.
2) The potential for mistakes.  Considering how many death row inmates are being exonerated now, who knows how many innocent people get executed due to flawed trials or evidence?  We make mistakes when we get emotional, and death penalty cases are all about emotion- we can't afford that when someone's life is on the line.

How about because it doesn't work as a deterrent?

I bet 20 years on death row followed by an execution is no cheaper for the state than a "life means life" jail term too.

[Valmy]

How about because it doesn't work as a deterrent?

Yeah that is the main thing, lots of expense and money for not a lot of benefit.