Put to death in some States in the US...

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Originally Posted by Kralizec

I suppose that if there was to be a referendum on person X being executed or not, I could see how it would be an expression of mob instinct...

Judges are supposed to make verdicts in specific cases and do it by applying general rules laid out by the legislator. If through democratic process the most heinous crimes become punishable by death, it's still the judge who has to decide wether it should be applied or not.

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Yes, indeed, but capital punishment needs to be allowed by law. The existence or otherwise of the right of the state to execute is what I am discussing, not individual cases. Idaho's original assertion was that because the majority wanted the death penalty (to exist on the statute book) it should be made legal.

I dissent from that view for the reasons stated.

I agree that the death sentence should not be an option, other then during state of war. Other then that. I think that prison sentences should consist of forced labour atleast 8 hours a day. It would be only fair for the prisoners to give something back to the society, who is feeding and clothing them for years in some cases.

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Originally Posted by Banquo's Ghost

Yes, indeed, but capital punishment needs to be allowed by law. The existence or otherwise of the right of the state to execute is what I am discussing, not individual cases. Idaho's original assertion was that because the majority wanted the death penalty (to exist on the statute book) it should be made legal.

I dissent from that view for the reasons stated.

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There's a long string of practical problems associated with the death penalty, so I don't think reintroducing it is a good idea. Philosophically I have no qualm with it. It's universally accepted that you can lose your freedom as a punishment, and it shouldn't be any different with the right to life. "Human rights" are nice but they are manmade products. I don't see why society should be obligated to respect someone's rights, any right, when that someone has voluntarily committed the largest infraction possible.