death penality

Ernest Van Den Haag writes: “I have heard moral philosophers express the view that although capital punishment could not be approved, its abolition is an impossible political goal. To struggle in behalf of the vicious and wicked requires more tolerance than most people can muster. There was no question that everyone concerned knew this to be a dreadful, unnatural action. There are other and more attractive battles to fight. (Charley Reese, Conservative Chronicle, February 15, 1989)

When I think about the death penalty I really dont know how i feel about it. To allege that capital punishment, if imposed consistently and without undue delay, would not be a deterrent to crime is, in essence, to say that people are not afraid of dying. It is probably the fact that capital punishment is accepted as necessary, and yet instinctively felt to be wrong, that gives so many descriptions of executions their tragic atmosphere. Two, the recidivism rate for executed murderers is zero. Killing demeans the state, and a society that insists on killing its murderers violates the precepts that make it possible for us to live together. ”

After hearing this about the death penalty you have to look at the reasons to be for the death penalty. Murderers can usally find ways to get out of prison. The exorbitant financial expense of death penalty cases is regularly cited by abolitionists as a reason for abolishing capital punishment all together. One, the killer gets to experience the same fear and agony he inflicted on others. They prefer to ignore, however, the extent to which they themselves are responsible for the interminable legal maneuvers that run up the cost. It is very hard for me to say what my stand is on this issue, but maybe as I get a little older I can come to my own conclusion.