White Supremacist Executed For Texas Dragging

[Purveyor]

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) -- White supremacist gang member Lawrence Russell Brewer was executed Wednesday evening for the infamous dragging death slaying of James Byrd Jr., a black man from East Texas.

Byrd, 49, was chained to the back of a pickup truck and pulled whip-like to his death along a bumpy asphalt road in one of the most grisly hate crime murders in recent Texas history.

Brewer, 44, was asked if he had any final words, to which he replied: "No. I have no final statement."

A single tear hung on the edge of his right eye.



Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TEXAS_EXECUTION_DRAGGING_DEATH?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-09-21-19-34-30

[Ben Gay]

1. Aren't we all required to oppose the death penalty?

I get confused...

[Pab Sungenis]

4. We are.

I'm opposed to the death penalty, but if there is anyone who ever deserved it....

[Ben Gay]

12. heh...I can think of many times it was appropriate. It might not be a great deterrent

but it sure as hell guarantees no repeats.

[Pab Sungenis]

22. Yes, but it's not for us to decide who lives and who dies.

That's it in a nutshell. Even if you disregard the chance of error leading to the execution of an innocent person, it's still just not right.

[cliffordu]

46. LOL. Fuck him.

too bad we make the method of death so painless.

Need more of an argument?

Look up Polly Klass.

c

[Hissyspit]

56. The MANY reasons a civilized culture does not carry out the death penalty:

http://www.antideathpenalty.org/reasons.html


1. Executions cost more than life in prison.

$2 million per person vs. $500,000 (4x as much!). Free counsel for defense, for appeals, maximum security on a separate death row wing.

2. The innocent may be wrongly executed.

Since the DP was reinstated in 1976, 82 inmates have been freed from Death Row. That's 1 Death Row inmate found to be wrongfully convicted for every 7 executed.

- snip -

9. No longer practiced in most sophisticated societies.

10. Promotes killing as an OK solution to a difficult problem.

11. Death sentences are handed down arbitrarily, not in a fair manner.

Serial killers such as the infamous Gary Ridgway in Seattle who admitted killing 48 prostitutes and runaways got life in prison. An "angel of death" nurse in NJ who admitted killing 17 people got life. Meanwhile, mentally ill and impoverished murderers who could not afford good lawyers and did not warrant much media attention were given the death penalty. In Alabama, David Hocker was executed after a one-day trial. His mental illness was not sufficiently described to the jury. Alabama also executed a 74-year-old man (James Hubbard) who had been on DR for 27 years and was beset by medical problems which would have probably soon caused his death by natural means: cancer, high blood pressure and the early stages of Alzheimers. In Texas, a man with schizophrenia was executed (Kelsey Patterson) even after the Board of Pardons and Paroles recommended clemency after learning of his time spent in mental hospitals and his unintelligible rambling.

MORE

http://www.aclu.org/capital-punishment/case-against-death-penalty

The Case Against the Death Penalty

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS...
> Not A Deterrent To Capital Crimes
> Unfair
> Irreversible
> Barbarous
> Unjustified Retribution
> More Costly Than Incarceration
> Less Popular Than the Alternatives
> Widely Viewed Internationally As Inhumane And Anachronistic

MORE

[customerserviceguy]

59. The only reason executions cost more

is that those who oppose the DP make damn good and sure that's the outcome. Would anyone have given a fuck about Davis if he got life imprisonment for killing that cop?

Yes, DNA evidence can free innocent people. Would you support the DP if DNA evidence established guilt way beyond doubt?

I didn't think so.

[Hissyspit]

62. No. Because that is only one reason. As it says in my post.

And it is a hypothetical anyway. What's your point?

[customerserviceguy]

68. My point is

that people here are hypocritical, although you seem not to be. They favor the DP when a white supremacist kills a black man, but they oppose it when a black man kills a white cop.

Also, the only time they give a damn about a black defendant is when he (it's hardly ever a she) is given the DP. Otherwise, they're content to let the convicted rot in prison, as long as that DP doesn't get used.

Guilty is guilty, no matter what the sentence, and no matter what the race.

[nobodyspecial]

69. I oppose it in all instances

even this one -- an so do most people opposed to the death penalty.

[donheld]

101. They oppose it when there is a doubt as to the guilt of the convict.

It's not as easy when we 100% know the person committed the crime.

[nodehopper]

108. no...

people who are actually against death penalty on principle are against death penalty in ALL cases

[donheld]

140. I'm sorry I wasn't clear.

I too, oppose it for ALL people. It is easier, at least for me, if I know they are guilty.

[RobinA]

125. No, "They" Don't

Some people oppose it because of uncertainty about guilt. Others of us oppose it under all circumstances.

[Pavlo]

150. I didn't oppose it for Osma bin laden

and lets not make any mistakes. He got the death penalty.
I was not happy about it but they did what was right. no trial though
how about that?

[Pavlo]

151. I didn't oppose it for Osma bin laden

and lets not make any mistakes. He got the death penalty.
I was not happy about it but they did what was right. no trial though
how about that?

[Violet_Crumble]

112. I oppose the death penalty in all cases...

The difference between the two executions today is not, as you claim, that one guy was white and the other was black, but that one had committed an unimaginably brutal and horrific murder and there was no doubts about his guilt, and the other was of someone where there were serious doubts emerging about his guilt. That's the difference. If the US is going to use a barbaric punishment then it should make damn sure that there's no doubt at all about whether the person is guilty or innocent of the crime.

When it comes to the white supremacist, while I oppose the death penalty even in his case, I can't feel the slightest shred of sympathy, but instead think that his death was a lot more humane than what he did to his victim. In the other case I'm horrified and appalled that a man who may have been innocent has been executed...

[AtheistCrusader]

73. DNA evidence can help, and is often better than other forms of evidence, but it is not 100% foolproo

f. never will be.

[kestrel91316]

95. Do you hold even a SINGLE liberal viewpoint????

Hmmm. Didn't think so.

What really puzzles me is why you spend your time here.

[customerserviceguy]

107. I hold many

But I'm not automatically opposed to the DP, as many here are. Not everyone came out of your cookie cutter.

[LanternWaste]

118. What specifically leads you believe that many people are "automatically' opposed to it?

What specifically leads you believe that many posters on DU are "automatically' opposed to it? What relevant, objective information do you have that many of those on DU who are opposed to it "came out of a cookie cutter"?

Or is it (and I find this more likely), it's merely an dramatic accusation designed to minimize and trivialize those opinions and ideas different than your own...?

[customerserviceguy]

129. You're the one who got dramatic

by accusing me of having no liberal positions. Perhaps you've not seen my posts on equal marriage, an issue I follow quite closely.

We all have different sets of beliefs, based on our upbringing, our experiences, and our education. Some people simply disagree, and labeling someone for having views slightly different from your own is what I mean by "cookie cutter".

[Dogtown]

111. I detest trolls.

Not that I'm pointing any fingers, or even referring obliquely to the party you're addressing.

They should spend their time working for the party they prefer instead of being disruptive and pestering members of the opposition party.

It supposes a mean-spirited, ugly personality flaw that has little to do with their convictions and more to do with their spiteful and cowardly nature.

Back on topic, I categorically oppose *all* government-sanctioned murder, even for the monster in this case.

We should be more evolved.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

127. They're fightin' that "battle of ideas" you know.

Probably too fat and lazy to do any other fightin'.

[Dogtown]

128. Or just too scared

to follow the example of the confederate that dragged the poor victim.

They feel things were so much better before "Johnson's Boys" locked up the KlanKops that supported these atrocities.

[Hoosier Daddy]

110. If we're talking about as heinous a crime as this,

and the DNA absolutely proves guilt, I have no problem with capital punishment. In the vast majority of murder cases, however, I support Life Without Parole.

[24601]

72. Tell it to the family of a correctional officer murdered in prison by

an inmate already serving live without parole (check Maryland cases).

Death definitely deters the murdered from killing again either in or out of prison.

And it's constitutional.

[AtheistCrusader]

75. So was slavery at one point.

And all sorts of horrific things. Hardly a justification.

[24601]

85. My point exactly - the constitution was amended to outlaw slavery.

Not so for capital punishment.

[AtheistCrusader]

115. Not yet.

[plumbob]

123. So one of the big arguments is that $$$$$$$$ are more important than

people?

Hmmm, since prisons cost more than just letting people promise to hang around their house, let's do that.

Seems silly.

I'm perfectly willing to pay for what I want, and I won't buy something just because it's cheaper.

And widely viewed or popular opinion just seems like junior high all over again, hardly a way to run a country.

[Hissyspit]

133. Oh, good grief.

It's a counter-argument. Not one of the "big arguments."

[plumbob]

138. Okay,rank them, then.

Big to whatever. Thanks.

[Hissyspit]

139. 1. Killing Innocents

Whatever, after that. The totality argues against the death penalty whether you rank them or not.

The cost argument is the counter-argument to the claim that it saves money to kill these people instead of keeping them incarcerated. It is not true. If it was JUST about cost, that would not be the strongest of arguments, but that is hardly the only argument (or counter-argument).

[plumbob]

144. 50,000 innocents killed every year by drunk drivers just in this country.

No one cares, and nothing is done.

On that scale, a few innocents on death row is nothing.

I never let money interfere with what I want. I'm willing to pay. I claim no cost saving either way and am not interested in it.

Thanks for your response.

[Hissyspit]

145. Like I said, good grief.

[panzerfaust]

148. First off: We are talking about Texas here

... not some effete "civilized society."

Second. My view is that there is only one basic reason for the death penalty: Revenge.

There are certainly no data to support that the death penalty deters anyone from doing anything. Except in-so-far as it prevents the same person from doing the same thing again ... something that would have meant a lot to Jaycee Dugard ( http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0923-jaycee-dugard-20110923,0,7141062.story?track=rss ).

But it should not be up to the families of the victim of such sadistic butchery to have to know that the monster who did such a thing is still alive. It should not be up to them to have to administer justice themselves.

Atavistic? Yep.

However, there is a problem with the state killing people: The wrong person may be killed.

This is not a retrievable mistake.

The problem is compounded because, historically, the death penalty has been unevenly applied.

"Historically" is not even all that far in the past. Leastways not here in Texas.

So, while I am quite happy that this particular sadistic bastard was justly executed, I am much concerned that Duane Buck is also going to be killed - to be killed by the Great State 'o Texas simply because he is black, and not because of the crime he committed. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44532921/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

The other main problem with state killings, is what crimes are considered fit to execute someone for?

In our country we happily killed people people because they were convicted witches, at the same time Scotland was executing people because they denied the divinity of Christ, and just recently Saudi Arabia's government beheaded Abdul Hamid bin Hussain bin Moustafa al-Fakki after he was convicted of sorcery.

One might well recall that in the early 1800's there were over 200 crimes punishable by death in England.

As the world turns, that was not so very long ago.

Some people cannot live with the rest of us. Some of these deserve to die for what they have done. It is identifying this last group which is difficult.

There is not the slightest doubt in my mind that both Larry Brewer and Mark Stroman{1} deserved to be in that last group.
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/bVa3vqPnZdIkr85tcdmVLQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTE5MA--/
The world is a better place without these two.

-----
{1} Christian who decided to kill Muslims post 9/11 http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/texas-executes-white-supremacist-went-post-9-11-130045064.html

[samsingh]

126. well if there is no doubt - i think society needs to protect

the innocents.

[evilhime]

37. Exactly

As we sit here waiting to see if there is an execution of a probably innocent man in Georgia tonight... I cannot in any way find in my heart to be sad that this other one was carried out!

[Rainbowreflect]

41. I am opposed to the death penalty even for slime like this.

"How does killing people who kill people show that killing people is wrong?"

[alarimer]

43. I feel the same way. Deeply conflicted.

Some people deserve to die but I don't think the state has the right to execute anyone. Reasonable doubt is simply too low a standard of proof for something that is final. There is no going back. I think this guy was likely guilty of this crime, unlike Davis, where there is enough doubt to at least call for clemency.

But I also think the death penalty is barbaric and we ought not to do, no matter how much we want to in certain cases. It solves nothing. It is not justice but vengeance.

[The Second Stone]

99. and there are many who deserve life

and we cannot give it. What was done to Mr. Byrd was despicable. The death penalty did not undo the crime.

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. No.

I do not oppose the death penalty, but that support is only about 1/2 of 1% of cases.

[RandySF]

16. I don't

There was no doubt that Russell Brewer dragged James Byrd, Jr. to his death. Mr. Byrd was too drunk to drive home so he deiced to walk. Brewer and his buddy tied a chain around Byrd's head and dragged him him until he was decapitated, for no other reason than he was African-American. I support the death penalty for the most heinous offenses so long as the convictions meet the highest standard of proof.

[Booster]

34. I agree and Russell Brewer said he would do it again so.....

fuck him.

[LadyHawkAZ]

44. I'm with you. n/t

[ProgressiveProfessor]

102. I tend to agree with you

"the death penalty for the most heinous offenses so long as the convictions meet the highest standard of proof" is a pretty good standard.

[fascisthunter]

40. your confusion is actually due to ignorance

it's your problem now pick yourself up by your own boot straps and do something about it. Thanks.

[hack89]

42. No - it is not required to be a democrat. nt

[Xipe Totec]

53. I oppose it

Because I consider it merciful.

[Hissyspit]

57. Yes.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/reasons-against-capital-punishment-death-penalty.html

Reasons Against

There are plenty convincing reasons against the use of capital Punishment.

1. Denial of basic right - According to Humans Right Association capital punishment overrules our most basic human right - the right to life. Human life has fundamental value. The blessedness of human life is denied by the death penalty. Live is precious.

2. The possibility of error – Later investigations revealed many convicted individuals innocent which got death penalty in the past, and have been pardoned. Recent DNA investigation studies have shown the same thing.

3. Unfair Judgment - Generally, it is observed that Capital punishment is inflicted unduly on the poor and minorities. If you follow the data of these victims, you will find that the mentally ill, poor and people belonging to minorities form a large chunk of the total number. You can also notice a kind of racial discrimination this happens due to varied reasons. Because the poor can offer very low compensation the defense lawyers are often incompetent, resulting in losing the case. Due to prejudice and bias, poor people, and people from minority sections become soft target for such capital punishments, as unrestricted discretion has offered to District attorney. If any one wants to appeal then it becomes a burdensome process for him often resulting in denial of justice.

- snip -

7. By giving capital punishment, the family of the victim is permanently traumatized and victimized. They are often punished by their loved ones without their fault, even though they are innocent.

8. Effects on society – Capital Punishment is itself a premeditated murder. This is unacceptable even it is inflicted by state authority as it lowers the value of life. In fact, such act can only brutalize the society. "Revenge is essential" can become a society attitude. By witnessing such acts, our own mental makeup starts believing that violence is necessary to curb the wrongdoings.

[24601]

78. If it was so convincing, a constitutional amendment would have

eliminated it.

And no, it's not murder - just as murders might be "execution style" but aren't executions.

[awoke_in_2003]

60. I do oppose it....

this guy was a shit bird, but he should have served life.

[fishwax]

63. huh? required?

:shrug:

[No Elephants]

67. Which post confused you? Yours was the first post on the thread.

[24601]

70. Absolutely not. You may choose to oppose it but requiring anyone

to oppose is morally no different from requiring anyone to support it.

Pro choice means you support my right to choose either way or you aren't even close to being truly pro choice.

[Capitalocracy]

74. We? Required? By who?

I'm against the death penalty. If it were my decision, I would not have this man killed by the state. Doesn't mean I have to cry over him.

[Bucky]

155. I require it of you. I require it of all of yall.

I'm the requirer.

[kestrel91316]

94. I don't oppose it in its entirety. There are cases where it seems to me to

highly appropriate.

But it is applied so inconsistently and in cases of flawed convictions and miscarriage of justice, so IMHO it's best if we take a step back and rethink it.

[lunatica]

109. Stupid statement

The death penalty is premeditated murder. It is punishing a criminal in a way that is against the very law that criminal broke. At least some of the time. Other times it is murder of innocent people.

[ehrnst]

114. I would rather he served life in prison. That would be a far more appropriate punishment,

considering the racial mix of those imprisoned.

[Bucky]

153. It would be a real drag, which is fair, but too ironic.

[plumbob]

122. I support a limited and carefully administered death penalty.

This case is a perfect okay for me.

[ET Awful]

2. Though I'm far more convinced of his guilt than I am of Troy Davis's, I STILL

say that killing people to teach people that killing people is wrong is the height of stupidity, barbarity and idiocy.

[David Sky]

6. Agreed! n/t

[MsKandice01]

8. I agree.

[Tansy_Gold]

10. I agree. It's wrong, in ALL cases. Period. End of discussion. n/t

[Ruby the Liberal]

13. There are cases where the person is considered hopeless

in that their hate crimes would continue unabated given the chance. This guy specifically stated he would do it again if he had the chance.

[ET Awful]

18. Then keep him in prison, solitary if necessary.

Killing him accomplishes nothing.

[alp227]

87. because the first priority of the justice system is PUBLIC SAFETY

Brewer obviously is a danger to society based on the heinous crime against humanity he committed and his evil, hateful attitude spawned by archaic racist sentiment. If I were the judge I'd send him to the big house without parole, ever. Prisons exist to isolate violent, dangerous, harmful people who are likely to re-offend and present a danger to society. Does the death penalty REALLY achieve that goal? Yes...but in an over-reaching way. And of course before anyone asks "what about prison escapes?" yes they do happen, but then the escapee gets moved to super-maximum security. If you want to see maximum security escapes watch a movie like The Next Three Days.

[ET Awful]

105. Mmmmhmmm. . . . Show me an example of an escape from a SHU

in one of the SuperMax prisons today. You won't find one.

[rdking647]

14. in in favor of the death penalty

but only in cases of guilty beyond all doubt not just reasonable doubt. the standard has to be much higher.

[marasinghe]

32. absolutely agree. it is long past time for humans to evolve out of that ....

vestigial reptile-brain reaction. sadly, i don't think we ever will.

[yardwork]

71. Agreed.

[bluestateguy]

3. Did he ever repent for the evil he committed?

If not, I don't think this will be a tough call for the man upstairs.

[monmouth]

7. I read where he stated he wouldn't have changed a thing. n/t

[julian09]

29. Too bad they only could only execute him once

for his lack of humanity and remorse for his barbaric action.
Maybe they should just give him enough juice, for him to pass out, once a month. :mad: :mad: :evilgrin: :grr:

[jaysunb]

54. LOL ! I like it

:rofl:

[christx30]

66. Like GlaDOS says:

Crushing's too good for him. First he'll spend a year in the incinerator. Year two: Cryogenic refrigeration wing. Then TEN years in the chamber I built where all the robots scream at you. THEN I'll kill him.

[No Elephants]

77. I don't think any of us should try to speak for the man upstairs. ,

However, what the man, woman or spirit upstairs might decide is a different issue from whose call life and death is in the first place.

[kestrel91316]

98. Who cares whether he repented or not? That gives him a free pass with Gawd?

Your Gawd is a pretty messed up dude if that's the case. Terribly gullible.

[Ruby the Liberal]

5. Good riddance to bad hate.

[David Sky]

11. No, sorry, I cannot agree! We as a nation do not need to

be killing people to prove killing is wrong.

[Ruby the Liberal]

15. Strawman.

That isn't the purpose. See above.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ruby the Liberal]

51. Nice personal attacks, but in my welcome to DU, let me note that we don't roll like that here.

That said, the death penalty isn't about discouraging crime. Many many murderers (multiple murderers even) are never sentenced to death.

It is (or is supposed to be) used *ONLY* in cases where the convict says "fuck you" to the system along with "and I'd do it again tomorrow" when in conjunction with their own words condemning themselves to being unable to be rehabilitated and a threat to society.

Troy Davis does not meet this standard. Racist skinheads celebrating their hate crime murders do, IMO, and I for one don't want the latter back on the streets anywhere near MY family.

Such is life.

[No Elephants]

82. That seems like the Ruby the Liberal view of criminal justice.

And maybe only for this particular case.

I have heard all my life that punishing crime is supposed to serve as a deterrent to others. I never heard before that the death penalty is only for "cases where the convict says "fuck you" to the system along with "and I'd do it again tomorrow..."

[Kennah]

17. Good riddance to Lawrence Russell Brewer

However, I remain opposed to the death penalty, even in his case.

[iandhr]

19. I am...

opposed to capital punishment. But I will not loose sleep over this one.

[sadbear]

20. We are a nation of children hellbent on the basest of instincts

The death penalty is nothing but revenge.

[catzies]

149. And that is the sad truth. n/t

[Old and In the Way]

21. Life in prison - no parole would be fine to me.

But I also know if he had done this to my children or wife, I'd be rooting to see him die. Human revenge is like that. But the state is not a human and ought to set a higher standard for society than being an active participant in this punishment. Ultimately, there are just too many cases where an innocent person is put to death and I'd rather err on the side that preserves life than takes it.

[No Elephants]

83. I've thought very carefully about that whenever this issue arises since I was 20.

I am far from a saint, but I don't think I would root for anyone to die, even if my own loved one had been the victim.

If the additional death could bring back my loved one, then yes, an infinite number of times, yes. But, since it can't, no.

[KeyserSoze87]

23. As I much as I hated this man...

He didn't deserve to die. No one deserves to die.

[liberaltrucker]

89. We all die, it's just a matter of when and how

By his own choice, he determined both.

I philosophically oppose the DP, but very
occasionally, a case comes along that cracks
that opposition. This is one.

[Justitia]

24. I don't believe the gov't has the legal right to kill people in cages.

For all the reasons we have all gone over before.

That doesn't mean I have any sympathy for people like this or believe in "forgiveness" or whatever for them.
I will not shed a tear for their deaths.

I just don't believe the government has the right to kill people in cages.

And I believe that more firmly with each passing execution.

[crim son]

25. I am opposed to capital punishment

but the life I would envision for this man, in prison, might be more cruel than death.

[MrSlayer]

26. As is right and just.

This guy is a posterboy for capital punishment.

[David Sky]

39. Lacking logic for state authorized murder, you rely upon your ...

"poster boys"?

Very telling!

[MrSlayer]

52. Whatever.

This is one of those open and shut, no doubt about it cases. He committed a most heinous crime, admitted it, showed zero remorse and got what he deserved. There isn't any chance at all that they executed the wrong guy. I don't see any compelling reason not to execute him.

[U4ikLefty]

61. Neither does Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, or China.

Good company you keep.

[MrSlayer]

64. So?

They would be right in executing that asshole too.

[U4ikLefty]

132. So you are on thier side? Nice to know your humaity is right out of a Slayer song.

[JoeyT]

96. I can think of a few compelling reasons.

First and foremost among them is that life in prison is worse than capital punishment, as far as I'm concerned. He's not feeling, suffering, or regretting anything right now. If punishment is the actual goal, the capital kind fails, even if the person isn't religious. It really fails if they are. They're positive they're going to <insert promised reward here>, so to them it's a choice between sending them on to it quicker or 40-50 years of staring at the walls of a box. Either way I know which one I'd personally prefer.

Even for the absolute worst cases capital punishment is pointless. It's too cruel for innocent people and a complete non-punishment for the guilty.

[MrSlayer]

131. This guy wasn't suffering or regretting anything.

He was a hero to the Aryan Nation and treated like a king. He received gifts and status because of his actions and regretted nothing. The only negative thing was that he was in prison at all. Prison can be a comfortable place for a person with gang status. This guy didn't want to die, he had it too good. I think it was absolutely a punishment for him and it was absolutely what he deserved for what he did. He only got off easy in the sense that the punishment did not fit the crime. James Byrd certainly didn't get an easy way out.

[NOMOREDRUGWAR]

91. I oppose the dp

but just curious, how sad it is that you resort to personal attacks like that to hide the fact that you could do nothing to stop this execution? You are powerless. I do enjoy that.

Why don't you waste your little energy on something or someone that matters?

[David Sky]

134. THANK YOU FOR THE PERSONAL ATTACK. Unlike you, I spoke to

the argument forwarded, a rather ad-hominen argument if I ever heard one, (some people are so bad that DP is justifiable), that's neither logical nor impersonal. It relies upon the outrageous character of the perpetrator, not upon a solid rationale or logical justification.

You accuse me of making personal attacks then hoist three of your own.

1)You are powerless. I do enjoy that.
2)Why don't you waste your little energy
3)how sad it is that you resort to personal attacks

Ditto "how sad it is that you resort to personal attacks"

I doubt you really are "against" the dp, but you got me to read your insults. Clever.

[nolabear]

27. I completely oppose capitol punishment.

[24601]

81. It that capital punishment conducted in the capitol? n/t

[caseymoz]

28. I'd restrict it to serial killers of children

But at least in this case I know they didn't execute an innocent person.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

30. Good.

[democrank]

31. I oppose capital punishment

[Divine Discontent]

33. what he did was evil. I still believe he should have been in a cell. that cannot be comfortable.

the gov't killing caged humans seems so barbaric.



http://www.zazzle.com/republicans_2012_keeping_millions_out_of_work_bumper_sticker-128002960205017719

[MannyGoldstein]

36. He was a defective human

We should not be stupid, but we must have compassion.

[PavePusher]

119. Sorry, but I'll reserve my compassion to those who deserve it. n/t

[Seedersandleechers]

38. Life without parole

If I was king of the world there would not be capital punishment.

[Psephos]

84. That is arguably worse than the DP.

I say that as someone who is completely opposed to the DP.

[NOMOREDRUGWAR]

92. Wow

So you oppose life without parole as well as the DP? You support paroling first-degree murderers? Please tell me I'm wrong. You can't keep moving the bar. I oppose the DP but if we don't have life without parole then our entire criminal justice system is a farce. You have to have life without parole (ideally solitary confinement) for first degree murderers in order to have proportionality. I just worry that once the DP falls, people will be clamoring like you might be to have life without parole eliminated. The next step will be to have maximum sentences of 20 years and sooner or later we'll be like Norway where you can gun down 70 kids in a day camp and get a maximum of 14 years in prison, and then get out at age 50 and do it all over again.

People who commit murder should never be released from prison. NEVER. NEVER. NEVER. We have the space for them. Release all of the non-violent drug users and dealers from prison and stop releasing rapists and murderers and drunk drivers from prison early.

[Psephos]

100. You're wrong. (You asked me to tell you that.)

I don't oppose permanent incarceration, although I find it abhorrent.

I do oppose the DP, as previously noted.

I don't see that much difference between the two. One takes life away quickly, the other sucks it out through a straw slowly. It's pretty clear to me which is more cruel.

I oppose the DP mostly because I fundamentally distrust the ability of the justice system to determine guilt without error. When a prisoner is executed, so is the possibility of reversing a wrongful conviction.

[graywarrior]

45. I oppose it no matter what

It's barbaric.

[madokie]

47. For the most part I'm against capital punishment but I'll make an exception this time

Some people don't deserve to breath and this dude is one of them.

[Mosaic]

48. Texas is tough

This level of hate of course deserves the ultimate punishment. Texas is a sick state, we should never elect a president again from this state, I know there are some good people there but overall that is a cesspool of thugs and hate. I do hope Troy Davis is set free, he is truly innocent from all I've heard. The real killer was one of his 'witnesses'.

[PavePusher]

120. Texas is not much different from any other state.

But your bigotry seems very like that of Brewer....

[Bill McBlueState]

135. hahahaha

Bitching about a state on the internet is like dragging someone from a truck until he dies? Now I've heard everything.

[PavePusher]

147. Note that I did not compare actions....

I compared beliefs.

Hahahaha, indeed....

[Catherine Vincent]

49. His last meal...

"chicken fried steaks, a triple-meat bacon cheeseburger, a cheese omelet, a bowl of fried okra, barbeque, fajitas, pizza, and a slab of peanut butter fudge with crushed peanuts."

[Endangered Specie]

50. suicide by cholesterol?

[AtheistCrusader]

79. Should have given him a plate of crushed asphalt.

[joshcryer]

93. Jokes on the clean up crew no doubt.

[Ter]

103. Timothy McVeigh's last meal still is the most memorable

Chocolate chip mint ice cream. Priceless.

[Bucky]

152. Yuck, I hate peanuts.

fried okra's okay, but he's not exactly watching his waistline there, is he?

[Festivito]

55. I still oppose the death penalty. It's too good for him.

He should rot in prison like a lab rat. The sentence should be life in forfeit for study of mental and bodily harm.

[Booster]

58. I would have probably agreed with you if I hadn't seen how

Richard Speck lived in prison. He actually enjoyed his time there. All the food he wanted, all the drugs he wanted, all the sex he wanted. That opened my eyes a little.

[Festivito]

106. I'd still think it more important to learn from these people rather than extracting some revenge.

It looks to me that Speck lived much of his life in his own personal unfeeling hell. And, how he gets illegal drugs in our prisons and is not relegated to solitary confinement is an indictment of our prison system.

However, the idea that we should kill innocent persons in order to stop one person from looking as though he is having a good time seems unreasoning.

[Abin Sur]

65. A relevant quote from the greatest science fiction writer of all time:

From Heinlein's "Starship Troopers", regarding the hanging of a young man who has killed a child:

Was he a juvenile criminal who merited pity even though you had to get rid of him? Or was he an adult delinquent who deserved nothing but contempt?
I didn't know, I would never know. The one thing I was sure of was that he would never again kill any little girls.

That suited me. I went to sleep.

The planet is a better place now that this man is dead.

[dorksied]

76. I have no illusions about the value of human life.

I don't believe human life has any more or less value than any other form of life, simply because we possess a higher brain function than the rest of the primates on earth. We're all gonna die some day, and if you use your life to make others lives miserable, than you deserve every bit of what they throw back at you for it.

A persons value is determined by what they DO to contribute to the world, not simply because they're alive.

[RufusTFirefly]

80. No conflict here whatsoever

Murder as punishment for murder is not only wrong. It's barbaric.

[No Elephants]

86. If I ever doubted my position on the death penalty, reading a thread like this would re-affirm it.

[russspeakeasy]

88. There are times when the death penalty is a great solution.

Ted Bundy, Tim McVeigh, The assholes from Connecticut that raped and sodomized the daughters and wife of the DR. then burned the house down...now that's an execution I would be willing to attend.:evilgrin:

[lonestarnot]

90. I would have preferred that hunk of junk rot in a box until death.

[pauldg0]

97. Peculiar that it is....

...at the same time as the Georgia execution.

[truthisfreedom]

104. I wonder what the tear was for. Why kill this guy? Why not let him rot?

In solitary?

[Bucky]

154. This is how Perry shows he believes in racial equality.

[Javaman]

113. more killing to show that killing is wrong. we are a warped society. nt

[RufusTFirefly]

116. I support the First Amendment except in cases where the free speech offends me

I'm distressed by the conditional nature of some people's opposition to the death penalty.
Let's face it: It's easy to oppose the death penalty in situations where there is too much doubt.
Just as it is easy to support the First Amendment rights of those with whom you are in agreement.
What's hard is to protect the human rights of people who are clearly scum.
Just as it is hard to love thine enemy.
But even though I am not a Christian, I believe that is what we must do.
The death penalty is inhumane and barbaric. Always. Most "civilized" countries have already realized this.
Its continuance in this country is a cancer on our body politic.
The same sick impulse that allows us to continue the death penalty permits us to look the other way when people are tortured in our name or when people who are ill or need help are abandoned because of their inability to pay.

[bitchkitty]

117. Now's he's dead -

no worries for him. Why reward this piece of shit with the peace of death?

[sofa king]

130. I concur.

Total loss of ones' freedom, for a long life, seems like a severe enough punishment for most of the very worst offenders. Death is freedom from that.

Any societal lesson execution is supposed to teach is diluted by its frequency and cheapened by its sensationalism--witness this week's competing (and strangely juxtaposed) death-watches.

Now, if capital punishment returned the lives of the offenders' victims, then I'd be all for it. But no dead person outside of Haiti has hopped out of a grave yet.

[lebkuchen]

121. That case was so disgusting, I couldn't read about it again

I'm still against the death penalty.

[RobinA]

124. No One

is "required" to think a certain way. Personally, I oppose the death penalty and this is no exception.

[Bill McBlueState]

136. all the countries that have their act together have banned the death penalty

We should aspire to be more like Canada and the democracies of Europe. That would include banning the death penalty.

[Taverner]

137. Just like all DP victims, they shouldn't have killed him

He should have been "allowed" to rot in jail

[yurbud]

141. how many cases have there been like this where a white guy was executed for killing a black man?

I can't remember any others in my lifetime.

[rppper]

142. good riddance....

i grew up in east texas...yes it is wing nut ally but 99% of people there would give you the shirt off their back. i can remember the horror most people had when this story broke years ago..... sorry, he had it coming

[Endangered Specie]

143. Whats ridiculous is how it took 13 years to put this rabid dog down.

[panzerfaust]

146. On the occasion we get things right in Texas

Mind, Not too often.

[Baby Bear]

156. I Am Against the Death Penalty

But whenever I think about the death of James Byrd, I see red. The horror, the horror....

Sometimes emotion triumphs over reason.