Should Canada have the death penalty?

[Smallc]

The assumption that capital punishment is wrong.

It is. Killing is always wrong if we have an alternative.

[Oleg Bach]

It is. Killing is always wrong if we have an alternative.

PEOPLE WHO WANT THE DEATH PENALTY ARE THE SAME ONES THAT ARE CAPABLE OF MURDER..They want to kill and they get a perverse kick out of it - If they were not part of a civil society - and it was a thousand years ago - The supporters of death and the death penalty would be the same cave man that would hit you in the head and take your wife...............like I say repeatedly - Human beings are not and never will be intelligent enough to make decisions of life and death...or be able to understand the ramifications of killing in the long term...It's impossible to make things better by killing though execution - If you need more jails - build them - but create institutions of reform - where a person can be re-habilitated - if they can not be saved - then create a class lf labour that are prone to murder and are confined slaves...but don't kill anyone...might be helpful if people married for love rather than lust or profit - that would be helpful also as far as what is bred.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

It has been said on this thread that government should be "endowed with certain privileges over and above the rights of an individual". I simply cannot agree with this statement. I believe that this is exactly the folly we have engaged in over the decades, which has brought us to this point in time. We are concentrating the power back into the hands of the few, this position will take us back centuries. Political power needs to be distributed over ever increasing dimensions to prevent the kind of control which leads toward the erosion of rights.

The poster quoted goes on to say that these things are necessary for the best interests of society. Provided you believe in the nanny state and have no problem with a big brother society then this could be a true statement. Otherwise the conclusion that our elected represents preform their self sacrificing duties for puritanical public service without desire for personal gain or reward, becomes the only viable explanation for their behavior.

Politicians are no better than the rest of us, subject to all the diversions and temptations made available to them. They are human and make mistakes. The difference between "them" and "us" is that they can cause us great harm and we are not allow to touch them. They are given right and privilege beyond that of regular citizens, and they abuse these things on a regular basis. There is no public recourse to corrupt officials. There is no recall legislation, there are no fixed election dates, and there is no term limits to public office. When they finally do leave the public trough they immediately seek to sell their inside knowledge and contacts to the highest bidder.

Is our government flawed? In a word, a resounding YES.

Knowing the existence of the flawed system, can a reasonable person be expected to trust the system with their very lives? Now if the system cannot be trusted, then who is responsible and who should be held accountable?

[Battletoads]

In a perfect world I would be all for it.

but this is not a perfect world, people can be falsely convicted. So no.

[Moonlight Graham]

After hearing on the news that the 8 year girl that was kidnapped in April, in Woodstock Ontario, and today arresting the two involved and the 28 yr, guy sexually abusing and killing her, I think its time for the death penalty to come to Canada espcially when dealing with children. I know the Tory government is wanting longer times but when it comes to kids, they need to die for their crime. Agree or not?

NOBODY has the right to kill another human being. Including the state. The death penalty isn't even a good punishment. Why not make them pay back their debt to society by working their fingers to the bone day-in and day-out for the rest of their life? Make them work so hard that they'd rather be dead. Make them work hard and give the money they earn back to the families of the victims. That is justice.

[Smallc]

In a perfect world, we wouldn't need jail, let alone execution.

[kuzadd]

You're exaggerating. But hey, if that's how you feel go ahead and vent.

No , I am not, election coming, watch the law and order games begin?

Who is tougher on crime?

I am, I am.

It is the same crap every election, pass new laws, incarcerate more people, spend more taxpayer dollars.

Eventually, we can criminalize everyone, with just the right laws, but there is only one taxpayer too foot the endless bill of incarceration.

There are states in the US that are ending the death penalty for exactly the huge costs involved with it.

Justice and laws have to make real sense, not nonsense.

[Sir Bandelot]

In fact statistics are showing that violent crimes are on the decrease. I blame it on the liberal education systems, and multiculturalism.

[Wild Bill]

In fact statistics are showing that violent crimes are on the decrease. I blame it on the liberal education systems, and multiculturalism.

Tell it to Jane Creba. Or Tori Stafford.

Oops! You can't! They're dead!

Oh well, quote those stats to their loved ones. I'm sure they'll be comforted.

[kuzadd]

In fact statistics are showing that violent crimes are on the decrease. I blame it on the liberal education systems, and multiculturalism.

of course they are, because Canada is an old society.

and before someone says I am making up the costs associated with death penalties story

Can Californians afford to keep the death penalty?

'Dysfunctional' death penalty racks up 28-year, $5-million tab

And that's just for one case. Michael Ray Burgener's death sentence in the murder of a 7-Eleven clerk has been overturned multiple times, and lawyers say his appeals could span another 15 years.

and one more

Colorado wants to repeal the death penality, arguing that more money needs to be spent on cold cases

Proponents of the bill hope to save an estimated $1 million in annual fees that go toward maintaining the death penalty.

Connecticut House and Senate have voted to abolish death penalty.

Governor Bill Richardson just repealed the death penalty. Richardson repeatedly said that he was signing the repeal because "the system is not perfect."

"Innocent people have been put on death row all across the country," Richardson said. The governor also said that we cannot be 100% sure that innocent people aren't convicted.

Richardson signs death penalty repeal

and we can of course tell the families of the wrongly executed how the state killed there family members on behalf of all the people of that state, then of course, taxpayers can make massive compensation payments

Edited May 23, 2009 by kuzadd

[Smallc]

Tell it to Jane Creba. Or Tori Stafford.

Oops! You can't! They're dead!

Oh well, quote those stats to their loved ones. I'm sure they'll be comforted.

Individual cases hold less weight than stats when it comes to crime trends. Yes, those events were terrible, but crime is not as common as it once was according to actual facts.

[Oleg Bach]

Individual cases hold less weight than stats when it comes to crime trends. Yes, those events were terrible, but crime is not as common as it once was according to actual facts.

People are better behaved these days - as for the question of the death penalty - we are a pro-life nation in every way - sure we have some glitiches here and there - but still what made the empire grow was life..and life more abundantly - I do not fear being killed - so I stay calm and attentive to make sure I survive - to watch and know if someone is about to snap - it takes skill to survive - and grace - we should be concentrating on enstilling survival skills in the people instead of waiting for the worst to happen then killing the murderer - by then it's to late! We have it back wards - we should not have a society that lives in fear of being murdered...we must strive for a brave and graceous nation - Killers prey on those that are weak..present yourself as affirmed - faithful and strong and evil will run the other way - capital punishment is for cowards.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

I am against the death penalty. I am in favour of much harsher sentences for convicted criminals.

[Nat]

No, nothing justifies taking another person’s life.

[Oleg Bach]

I am against the death penalty. I am in favour of much harsher sentences for convicted criminals.

When a young man comes into a court because he was carrying a device meant specifically to kill humans - he should not be released on bail. The statement that the hand gun makes is "I am a murderer or a potential murder waiting to strike" - why assist in murder by granting such a person bail? Confinement- is the answer. If someone kills because they seek some sort of perverse power (gang violence) or they plan a murder - then they are not fit to roam...If a person who is so crazed and egotistical that he is willing to kill - then that person should know - after the act is done that he will be confined to a steal box for the rest of his life - that is more of a deterent than execution.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

When a young man comes into a court because he was carrying a device meant specifically to kill humans - he should not be released on bail. The statement that the hand gun makes is "I am a murderer or a potential murder waiting to strike" - why assist in murder by granting such a person bail? Confinement- is the answer. If someone kills because they seek some sort of perverse power (gang violence) or they plan a murder - then they are not fit to roam...If a person who is so crazed and egotistical that he is willing to kill - then that person should know - after the act is done that he will be confined to a steal box for the rest of his life - that is more of a deterent than execution.

I must agree that confinement is the best deterrent. For violent offenses such as; sex crimes, assaults, murder and attempted murder, I will suggest solitary confinement for the duration of their natural life. In addition those non-violent offenders should be made to work as a means of paying their debt to society. Prisons should become known as places to avoid.

[Oleg Bach]

I must agree that confinement is the best deterrent. For violent offenses such as; sex crimes, assaults, murder and attempted murder, I will suggest solitary confinement for the duration of their natural life. In addition those non-violent offenders should be made to work as a means of paying their debt to society. Prisons should become known as places to avoid.

To some they are an adventure and a resting spot--- although - I did run into a couple of newly release thugs- one of which was boadeing on being declared a dangerous offender - but he was out...these two guys were nuts and institutionalized. Confinement is fine - but how do we know who will recover and who will become more mentally ill with confinement...and become un-releasable - I knew a guy that robbed 17 banks - He was terrified of leaving prison -at the same time his every waking moment in Kingston was sheer terror - we need to revamp our correctional insitutions so they actually correct.. Also : along Queen Street West there is a weird social housing building...it's kind of a half way house - recently I saw forensics out side the place - then I heard that a couple of guys who were robbers - took a man that "ratted" them out - they put the poor fellow in a bath tub - chopped off most of his fingers - and toes and sewed his mouth shut.......How can our system allow such people to roam free - what the hell are our parole boards all about?

[Keepitsimple]

How about locking up the heinous criminals and throwing away the key....... but giving them a choice every 5 or 10 years to be euthanized. We'll even let them do it themself.

[Sir Bandelot]

There is no urgent crime problem that must be dealt with, despite what this government is trying to tell us. The system is working. If anything, real deterrent begins by reducing poverty and improving the standards of education. The evidence is in- as our society becomes more tolerant and fair, crime numbers are going down. For the same reason I also think that proposed mandatory minimums are unnecessary.

But despite that, there will never be a utopian society completely free of crime. Even if we do all the right things, there will always be defective personalities as well as crimes of passion.

[Oleg Bach]

There is no urgent crime problem that must be dealt with, despite what this government is trying to tell us. The system is working. If anything, real deterrent begins by reducing poverty and improving the standards of education. The evidence is in- as our society becomes more tolerant and fair, crime numbers are going down. For the same reason I also think that proposed mandatory minimums are unnecessary.

But despite that, there will never be a utopian society completely free of crime. Even if we do all the right things, there will always be defective personalities as well as crimes of passion.

Hear hear~ I have noticed that people when they are happy and unoppressed and less stressed behave extermely well - I live in the middle of an entertainment district - there is booze and dope and music - sex and frolic - I have never seen a fight..people just want to be loved and to love - it's amazing - if each individual sets a tone of civility - there would be no need for law enforcement...I have faith - I am seeing the world change - for the better - and why? Because I desire it to be that way - as we all should. One persons good will brings peace to a hundred.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Hear hear~ I have noticed that people when they are happy and unoppressed and less stressed behave extermely well - I live in the middle of an entertainment district - there is booze and dope and music - sex and frolic - I have never seen a fight..people just want to be loved and to love - it's amazing - if each individual sets a tone of civility - there would be no need for law enforcement...I have faith - I am seeing the world change - for the better - and why? Because I desire it to be that way - as we all should. One persons good will brings peace to a hundred.

All true, yet the reality is that government has a responsibility to act in defense of its citizens. That means doing something now that has immediate effect and long term benefit. I maintain that making prisons things to be avoided is the quickest and cheapest fix to the immediate problem. We can make gang related crime a dangerous offender status with more strict sentencing. We can make weapons use during crimes have the same status. We can have property confiscation a consequence of conviction for all violent crimes. There are many ways to deal with the immediate problems we just need the will to pursue the problem in the proper fashion. The best deterrent is the consequence of conviction. To most people that is a two fold issue, the duration and extent of punishment.