Capital punishment for child rape

[SquirleyWurley]

I understand the argument itself that capital punishment should be reserved for those who take life, on the principle of punishment fitting the crime, out of caution, etc., but they didn't just argue that.

I thought Roberts had good points on this, and whether you agree of disagree in general with him, among his criticisms of this ruling were some very good points, IMO.

[Acumen]

I'm not talking about society, but rather the victims of a crime.

Ah. You used the term "social compensation" and that is what confused me.

If a person is dead, how does killing the person who killed them compensate the deceased?

My idea -- of penal slave labor for life -- would actually come a long way toward "compensating" society. While no labor a convict could perform could ever replace the infinite value of the life/lives s/he took, it would still be a way of giving back to society.

I have no problems with that.

 

Obviously it doesn't compensate the dead, but it compensates the family of the deceased in that justice was enacted.

[VLinvictus]

Obviously it doesn't compensate the dead, but it compensates the family of the deceased in that justice was enacted.

Some justice. Yes, if someone close to me were murdered I would probably feel anger (understandably so) and contemplate the murderer's execution with glee. Nothing makes me happier than watching the guilty suffer. However, executing the murderer would not bring my loved one back. No, I'd rather watch the scum who killed my loved one suffer for the rest of his natural life, condemnded to offer up his blood and sweat in slave labor in restitution to the society he violated through his crime.

[VLinvictus]

Interesting that you find such opinions pathetic coming from me, but when conservatives express them they're fine and dandy. It is to be expected.

[Beautiful_Dreamer]

V., I have the deepest sympathy for anyone who has been sexually abused. Actually, empathy is probably the better word, as this has happened to me as well. It was part of a larger pattern of abuse and a relationship that lasted about three and a half years in college. It wasn't all bad, but it was bad enough. I don't want to go into too many details, but this sort of thing can take a lot of therapy and time to get to where you can have a normal life in terms of relationships, affection, or sex. If it ever happens at all. But I would agree with the Supreme Court's decision. I really don't like the idea of the death penalty anyway, but I don't think the punishment fits the crime here.  I am a naive optimist, but I believe redemption and healing can be possible, and it doesn't really work if the person is dead. I struggle with this a good bit, but I don't want revenge and I still believe that, somewhere along the line, my abuser might grow up and actually learn to have respect for women. 

Oh, and, I want to point this out, since you mentioned the Bible. The death penalty for adultery was against the *woman*, assumed that *she* was somehow at fault. Rape was seen as a property crime, as the woman was the property of her husband or father. She would be forced to marry her rapist in an effort to have the rapist take care of her for life, since it would be rather hard for her to find a husband without being a virgin. But to many of us, being with our rapist would make us suffer even more than before...

[Beautiful_Dreamer]

Obviously it doesn't compensate the dead, but it compensates the family of the deceased in that justice was enacted.

Some justice. Yes, if someone close to me were murdered I would probably feel anger (understandably so) and contemplate the murderer's execution with glee. Nothing makes me happier than watching the guilty suffer. However, executing the murderer would not bring my loved one back. No, I'd rather watch the scum who killed my loved one suffer for the rest of his natural life, condemnded to offer up his blood and sweat in slave labor in restitution to the society he violated through his crime.

I can understand this to a point. I might think all high-minded about the value of human life, etc...but I have to admit that my ideas would likely change if it were my friend or family member murdered.  While I will admit to thinking some hateful and angry thoughts about my abuser, or feeling some sort of satisfaction at the idea of him getting what is coming to him, I know it isn't right to want revenge. And that is what some of the clamor asking for the death penalty comes down to, really. Revenge.

I generally feel really ill-equipped to make decisions as to whether someone should live or die, and thus don't really feel it is my place to sentence someone to death. While my visceral feelings might be satisfied by seeing someone punished or seeing them suffer, vengeance isn't mine.

[Faithfulee]

Thanks for the interesting topic.

I became aware of the subject today.  A Wall Street Journal article avowed that the Supreme Court erred because the Congress of the United States passed a law that allowed capital punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

I have no problem with the death penalty in capital cases, but I don't support it in the case of rape, even of a Child.  There should be worse penalties, such as life in a cage.

But I was surprised and disappointed to learn that Congress would OK it where they have some authority.  Congress should be reprimanded and that decision should be reconsidered and brought to public attention.