Quote Originally Posted by Xiahou
Political correctness has nothing to do with it. You can't reasonably say that the state can't arbitrarily kill people, then in the same breath claim that the state has a right to kill people and it makes no difference what the reason- state killing is state killing no matter what.

It's an absurd position- if the state has a 'right to kill', then it has the right to kill anyone. If it has limitations then its not a right- nor does it have a damn thing to do with the death penalty debate. As I've said- I'm well aware that capital punishment is legal, I think it's useless and uneccessary killing. It serves no purpose other than revenge- unless you subscribe to the 'eye for an eye' notion where some karmic imbalance is created and the world spins off its axis unless a murdered is killed- life for a life.

Well, first off, every right has limits. There is no such thing as an unlimited right.

The right of free speech is limited. No yelling fire in a crowded theatre.
The right to own property is limited. Eminent domain.
The right to vote is limited. No 6 year olds, or inmates allowed.
The right to the pursuit of happiness. You have to catch it first, it doesn't get handed to you.
The right to freedom of association. Terrorists not included.
The right to life. Capital punishment, the draft, robbing a bank.

There are limits on all of them.

Out of interest.
If justice does not incorporate any elements of vengeance, then what is it to you?

I assume Ted Bundy who killed close to 40 women is not going to get community service or a $500 fine in your system of justice, but why not?

If vengeance isn't at least a part of it and Brazil said they would take him as a talk show host, why not accept exile for him?

I ask because you don't seem to think justice and vengeance are related.