We glamorize killing by imposing the death penalty.

It's wrong to kill people. I think most of us agree with that.

Doesn't it seem contradictory to kill people to demonstrate how wrong it is to kill? We don't rape rapists or beat up batterers to punish them. Our society should exemplify the highest ideals of humanity. When we apply the death penalty it becomes the most rigorous process and ritual we undertake. It entails procedures and sober solemnization beyond any other thing we do.

An observer might conclude that putting someone to death is the highest function of our society. He might conclude that it is the highest function of an individual. If the person is sick enough, he might arrogate that act to himself. We should not allow that.

While individuals might seek revenge, our aggregate society should reflect the better part of our nature, the part that knows that killing is wrong. That should set the example.

(Note: I posted these thoughts in another thread, but I don't think they'll get much attention in an old thread. I haven't seen this POV expressed in the other death penalty threads so I'm putting it in a new post. I hope I am forgiven for the conceit.)

--IMM

What's left to say?

It's bad enough that we do it, but perhaps if we did it with a modicum of sadness or regret, it wouldn't be quite so bad. The way we do it makes it even more repulsive. We are downright gleeful about it, we say we want to flip the switch ourselves, that's how it feeds the idea that killing those who have wronged you is acceptable and works it way into the murderous mindset this country has.

of the condemned person....I saw just the other day, the last meal of the latest person to be executed....Whatever started this gruesome ritual?

while we put someone to death. What's wrong with this picture?

--IMM