[Grovenet] Capital punishment? I don't need no stinkin' capital punishment . . . .

[David Morelli]

On May 5, 2008, at 12:18 PM, Bob Browning wrote:

> Sounds like an 18th century British proposition!! Every one from  
> the man who steals a loaf of bread to feed his starving family up  
> to Donald Trump must go to jail?? After all, they have all  
> victimized someone!!
>
> b
There is a serious public debate because this is a serious issue with  
no easy resolution.  I would offer that, in America today, there are  
rather few examples of "the man who steals a loaf of bread to feed  
his starving family".  It may be coming here someday as it is in  
Somalia today where people riot to have the right to purchase food.   
But, it is not there yet.

In a real world, resources are always limited.  And as the energy,  
environment, and food situation is reminding us, the world has a few  
billion more people that it can carry in a sustainable manner.  Why  
spend precious resources on a "revolving door" system for habitual  
offenders if it means short changing public services that could  
improve the life opportunities for innocent children?  Every budget  
cycle government agencies must choose who will receive life changing  
resources; children who have yet to acquire the skills for a full  
life, or adolescents and adults who have made decisions to  
intentionally deprive others of property, health, or life?

At one time there was the concept that a punishment should fit the  
crime.  Someone who stole a loaf of bread to feed their family would  
be treated differently from someone who stole a guard rail to feed  
their drug habit.  Someone who shortcut safety procedures in Bophal  
and caused the needless deaths of thousands would be treated  
differently from someone who shortcut "checks and balances" to cause  
the needless deaths of thousands in Iraq.   And someone who drives in  
a negligent fashion over the top of a bicyclist would be treated  
differently from someone who provides weapons and ammo to unbalanced  
individuals.

Hmm.  The chemical company executives, the Administration, idiot  
drivers and the weapons dealers are all getting a free ride on these  
deaths.  So, I guess it IS one size fits all?  The victims just get  
to be victims.  Sorry, but I do feel that those who injured those  
people do deserve some punishment appropriate to their actions.

  By the way, IMHO, someone who puts bullets in the gun before  
pointing it at another person intends harm.  An alcoholic who drives  
to the bar for a drink, intends to drive home drunk.  The fertile  
couple who have sex, intend to get pregnant.  I accept that  
statistics play a part, but unless it is absolutely 0%, there is  
intent and the people involved should have responsibility for the  
consequences in proportion to the reasonable probabilities.  Events  
that have a lifetime chance of a "million to one" will happen to 300  
Americans.

David