Capital Punishment: Where Should the Line be Drawn?
posted almost 12 years ago
A fellow myUMBC poster raised a good point yesterday, in discussing drug abuse. Assuming capital punishment were legal [currently "postponed" in Maryland], where should the line be drawn for the death penalty? In other words, what crimes ought to be punishable by capital punishment? Or, you may object to implementing capital punishment. Listed below are various forms of felonies; not all of them. Please specify all categories within each felony that should be penalized with capital punishment.
-Murder [first degree/second degree, voluntary/involuntary, etc.]
-Rape [first degree/second degree/third degree, etc.]
-Assault and/or Battery [simple/familial/aggravated, etc.]
-Arson [four elements/three elements/two elements/one element]
-Robbery [first degree/second degree/third degree, etc.]
-Kidnapping [first degree/second degree/third degree, etc.]
In my opinion, I believe barbarity ought to be combated with barbarity. Murder in both degrees ought to be punishable by capital punishment, with more than reasonable evidence, whereas drug distribution ought to be punishable with harsh, extended community service and rehabilitation. Rapists should not be allowed to dwell amongst us in a free-society, in my opinion. I believe all of these crimes can be avoided by proper education, therefore I strongly believe in stricter education requirements.
