many years ago phil donahue suggested that we televise an

catmother

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:33 AM
Original message

many years ago phil donahue suggested that we televise an

execution. wonder how pro-death penalty advocates would feel after actually watching someone die. of course, they wouldn't do it. i mentioned it to my husband tonight and even though he's pro death penalty he felt it would be a good idea.

your comments.

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Silverhair

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:35 AM
Response to Original message

1. Executions were once always public. NT

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Dr.Phool

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:36 AM
Response to Original message

2. With all the morans hooked on dumb reality TV shows

The networks would want to set up a studio in Texas, and demand more executions for the ratings.

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unpossibles

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:36 AM
Response to Original message

3. not only were they once public

Edited on Tue Dec-13-05 12:45 AM by unpossibles

but people cheered. Sadly, I think most supporters would enjoy watching it.

I think a life time of guilt is a far worse punishment. And I think that people who have killed should be forced to heal wounds, not create more societal wounds by killing them.

Edit for spelling

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catmother

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:38 AM
Response to Reply #3

6. that's pretty sick. i'm having a hard time with the statistics. 75%

are for the death penalty. Jesus H. Christ. what kind of society do we live in?

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unpossibles

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:42 AM
Response to Reply #6

12. the saddest part

is that so many of these people are allegedly the "culture of life."

And also that it was not very long ago.

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Patchuli

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:41 AM
Response to Reply #3

8. Thank you. You just said

what's in my heart. I am very sad tonight.

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rooboy

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:41 AM
Response to Reply #3

9. Like in China where 20,000 go to a stadium to watch them shot... n/t

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MnFats

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Tue Dec-13-05 01:23 AM
Response to Reply #9

18. I think in China they're obligated to go and watch.

officially or unofficially...if citizens aren't enthusiastic about executing enemies of the state, they may also be enemies of the state.

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catmother

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:42 AM
Original message

that's my feeling. if i killed someone, i would want to be put to

death -- the thought of living caged up for the rest of my life would be far greater punishment.

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hlthe2b

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Tue Dec-13-05 01:08 AM
Response to Reply #3

15. Hell, they used to bring the kids and have a picnic...

I saw an exhibit of postcards from executions and the wildeyed mania is just plain frightening, IMO. I'm sure we'd see it resurrected among some people if executions were made public....

Sadly those who want to dehumanize, will.

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proud2BlibKansan

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:38 AM
Response to Original message

4. I think we should do it

I liked the idea when Donahue came up with it and I like it even more today.

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babylonsister

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:38 AM
Response to Original message

5. catmother, I agree. I'm an eye for an eye

Edited on Tue Dec-13-05 01:37 AM by babylonsister

person myself, but I also think if I see this stuff, it might change my opinion, and I'm not a voyeur. I love DU and have read so many differing opinions, I just wonder where they are coming from.
An eye for an eye, if it's beyond question, seems fair to me.

Edit to say: It doesn't mean I have to watch it.

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catmother

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:41 AM
Response to Reply #5

7. that's exactly why it should be televised. when my husband

said it was a good idea, i got the feeling in my gut that he would change his mind. i personally think it's barbaric -- state sanctioned murder.

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MnFats

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Tue Dec-13-05 01:25 AM
Response to Reply #7

19. i absolutely agree with you, cat mother...

...no matter what the crime or how horrific, when the condemned is helpless, strapped into that chair, it's murder. In our name. We bring ourselves to the level of the murderer when we permit society to do this.

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rooboy

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:42 AM
Response to Reply #5

11. The thing about execution is that every one of them...

is supposed to be 'beyond question', but somehow they aren't :(

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catmother

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:43 AM
Response to Reply #11

13. even if they are beyond question, i still don't think it's right. n/t

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prolesunited

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Tue Dec-13-05 02:23 AM
Response to Reply #5

21. No, if you want the state to murder in our names

you should be FORCED to watch it. Many argue that Tookie didn't take responsibility and therefore, deserves to die. Well, that should start with those in favor of the DP. You should be made to watch the person die in all of it's horror. It should not be sanitized for your protection.

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SheilaT

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:41 AM
Response to Original message

10. Every time I mention

that almost all of the rest of the world gets along without a death penalty, I'm met with stares of incredulity.

But it's true. Saudi Arabia, China, and the U.S. are three of the most notable countries who still murder people legally. Other than Japan, no other first world country kills its citizens.

If it were such a terrific deterrent, surely we'd have the lowest homicide rate in the world.

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catmother

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Tue Dec-13-05 12:47 AM
Response to Reply #10

14. just like we're the only civilized country that does not have

universal health care.

but back to the death penalty, i am certainly not soft on crime especially pediphiles. i say "lock them up and throw away the key" and prison should not be a nice place with cable tv. convicted felons should have to work for their keep.

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tyedyeto

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Tue Dec-13-05 01:13 AM
Response to Original message

16. I believe it should be mandatory viewing for everyone who...

supports the death penalty Right now, it's an antiseptic idea we hear about but never actually see. Maybe it would open some eyes as to the barbaric nature of this society.

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obxhead

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Tue Dec-13-05 01:21 AM
Response to Original message

17. Some vegetarians argue a similar point....

Anyone who consumes meat should tour a cattle processing plant.
I believe both to be good suggestions.

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misanthrope

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Tue Dec-13-05 01:50 AM
Response to Original message

20. In a land...

...where throngs turned out at lynchings to picnic with the family and townsfolk, I don't believe the reaction would be as strongly negative as you might think.

Besides, we're a bit more desensitized now by seeing things like that on television in fictitious form. It's not the same as being there with the executed.

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