I have mixed feelings about the Muhammed death sentence.

[Monte Carlo]

On one hand, this man is clearly dangerous, clearly guilty, and clearly unrepentant for what he has done. On the other hand, now that we have him locked in a box - and he is not going to get out - just killing him gives me an empty feeling. Taking his life seems too easy.

However, I am not above feelings of vengence, and I will not lose sleep over Muhammed's execution. Use the firing squad. This is not some obscure case.

I've thought, why not make this man do some good with his life? I think a true triumph of our justice system would be for this man, in 10-20 years, to say he is sorry and mean it. You never let him out of prison, but you force learning upon him. Make him feel true pain - remorse and shame.

[shoopnyc123]

1. I feel the same...

I hate the Death Penalty

[Monte Carlo]

6. I don't hate the death penalty, but it's non-reverseable...

... so you don't get a chance to go back on it. If there was ever a case for someone to be put to death for his crimes, this is it. An unrepentant, methodical mass murderer. This is not some obscure case. On the other hand, the drive to convict and sentence can be habit-forming.

[La_Serpiente]

2. You've taken the first step of finding your answer

you're questioning yourself. Keep on thinking :-)

[slackmaster]

3. I have no ambivalence about it

I am opposed to the DP no matter how evil the defendant.

I think a true triumph of our justice system would be for this man, in 10-20 years, to say he is sorry and mean it....

Probably not possible. Mr. Muhammed appears to be a psychopath.

[Monte Carlo]

10. Just speculating.

Not possible? Maybe we could be creative. Force him to listen but soaring, beautiful classical music day and night. That could soften him up a little bit, huh? Then you attack with nonstop Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers.

[leetrisck]

4. Am also opposed to our government

shopping for the right state, the right court and the right judge - called judge shopping - Ken Starr was famous for it.

[Joe the Revelator]

5. As a rule i am anti-death penalty

but in this case i think its a more then adaquate sentence. Maybe it was my proximity to the case but i want nothing more then to see these 2 people die.

[Fescue4u]

7. Sorta here..

Overall I have a serious problem with the way the death penalty is handed out...(minorites vs others)

But this is a clear cut case of guilt and he certainly deserves it. No grey areas in this case.

[DrWeird]

8. I'm not especially agains the death penalty.

But I'm absolutely for a moratorium until the racial inequalities are ironed out.

[Monte Carlo]

9. Right, it works this time, but it's still mostly broken.

At least this time we can be confident.

[dvddrone]

14. Confident?

Confident that we are murdering the "right" person?

Your sig quotes something like 'reward and punishment are the lowest forms of education'. So punishment (via murder) is the lowest form of 'educating' the American public regarding the violence committed by this man.

Murdering him serves no purpose, imo. I dunno, I guess homicidal vengeance might seem like a purpose to some, but I don't get it.

Elizabeth

[MnFats]

11. Capital punishment is barbarism

it is state-sanctioned murder.
I do not want the federal government killing people on my behalf, thank you.
no matter what the crime.
the U.S. has in its corner on this nations like China, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia......not very enlightened company.
I thank God my state is in the minority that have abolished capital punishment.
But there are federal cases coming out of this state that could result in the death penalty and i plan to raise hell about it.

[Paragon]

12. I'm sure most people of conscience have mixed feelings...

...but our actions are what count now. Do we sully ourselves to Muhammad's level by committing murder, too? The Rev. MLK managed to read *that* passage in the Bible and come away saying that "an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind."

It's not a deterrant. It isn't "closure" for the victims' families, whatever that means. Most of the rest of the civilized world has seen fit to outlaw it, and we should, too.

[karlschneider]

13. I clearly understand the moral dilemma you're confronting. I have the

same to deal with. Generally I oppose the DP because it essentially puts the state in the position of doing what the accused has been convicted of doing, yet the heinousness of his actions tilts me toward acceptance of it in this case.

That being said, though, I have to wonder if there might ultimately more to be gained by a serious attempt, over time, to learn more about the mindset and motive of someone who apparently did these awful things. Putting him to death satisfies our seemingly hard-wired need for vengeance, but it seems possible to me that we might (could) get a better handle on how to prevent such acts through study. And that is something we obviously cannot do if he's dead. I had similar thoughts about Tim McVeigh. Deterrance has never seemed an effective measure against murder; to the extent it equates to prevention, it seems both are desirable goals. Maybe neither is possible, but what do we lose other than revenge by trying?

[CaptainMidnight]

15. not guilty?

He is either a patsy, or a Manchurian Candidate.

Look at the evidence and circumstances of his "capture." This guy, a convicted felon, coming and going from the country. Mystery sources of disposable income. Much like Oswald.

And then the nationally televised post-hypnotic suggestion of "The Duck is in The Noose."

Much like, "How About A Nice Game of Solitaire?"

Don't think that this shit doesn't exist. These guys are either mind-control subjects, or patsies who had nothing to do with it.

The whole "sniper saga" simply doesn't add up...


Captain Mike

[Yupster]

16. Oh geeze

Not another conspiracy.

[Joe the Revelator]

17. Can anyone just be guilty?

some people should own stock in the reynolds company.