I also strongly oppose the death penalty, especially in a system where the more money you have the better lawyer you can get and, of course, if you can't pay you don't get decent representation.
I am absolutely against the death penalty. I fail to understand how killing someone prevents killing. There needs to be seriously severe consequences for serious crimes; killing someone should not be one of those.
However, I do not subscribe to the idea that those under 25 should be given a pass for their behavior based on the fact that their brains are still developing. If, as a society, we truly think that people under 25 years of age cannot fully control their behavior, or take responsibility for their actions, then we need to consider how this affects other responsibilities. Currently, we allow this group of people to vote, drink, purchase weapons, sign contracts, have children, serve in the military and emergency services, etc. If the 18-25 year-olds cannot understand right from wrong, and cannot be held fully accountable for committing crimes, we may need to consider curtailing other responsibilities.
Please note that there are absolutely situations where people’s sense of right and wrong, acceptable and non-acceptable behavior are skewed. This should be considered, and as a society we need to eliminate socio-economic deserts where few options exist to meet basic needs other than engaging in criminal behavior.
Overall, I think that our young people don’t need to be told their unable to make good, ethical, humanity-affirming choices. I think they need to be treated with respect, and given the tools to hold themselves accountable.
We all have consequences for our actions, good consequences for choosing wisely, and difficult consequences for poor choices. Fierce compassion is helping people understand the difference between those. Fierce compassion is helping others, as well as ourselves, to be the best humans we can be. The death penalty does none of this.
Thanks for pouring it out. I appreciate your very thoughtful comments. You bring up a lot of interesting considerations. You replied with lots of vigor and I appreciate it.
There is no amount of vengeance that brings healing. Protecting others - of course. Until we face how we all participate in the brokenness among us ... we will continue to have those who want to cut away the pain rather than heal the patient. My 2 cents (40 years as a psychiatric nurse practitioner working with families). TY, Manuel for your tireless work.
Manuel, thank you for your condolences. We are one of many families who experience these events. Too many.
My efforts are largely in support of gun control/responsibility and some reduction in the dangerous proliferation of weapons that fall into the hands of the young, even children. Perhaps someday our efforts will coincide and keep fewer of the troubled young from killing one another.
This may alienate you I realize, because though I agree that justice is not equally applied, and for that reason a life sentence for murder is better deserved, but I do believe that there are some crimes so depraved and heinous that the harshest penalty is deserved.
Thanks for your comment Patris. In the scores of cases ending in executions that I have reviewed I consistently find the murderer emerging from being abused physically and/or sexually in a setting of a broken home, surrounded by drug addiction, alcoholism, poverty. Society is swift to attack the symptoms of violence rather than do the heavy lifting of creating healthy and wholesome environments in which to raise and nurture our youth.
What makes depraved people capable of heinous crimes? Society tends, perhaps unwittingly, to promote violence and underfund mental healthcare and education.
As a society we are failing on many levels. Too many. So much needs to be addressed let alone accomplished that would serve to raise up more of the marginal, the abused, the hungry and homeless. Simple community support of children in homes riven by drugs and violence. Food resources easily obtained. Child credits lifting up households to be able to clothe and feed a household.
Let me say that this isn’t a matter of vengeance. (My uncle was murdered in a robbery, shot as if executed. As a family we gathered in grief, yet surprised ourselves at the lack of anger toward the young drug addict who killed him. None of us followed his trial or its outcome. It was done.
Whatever the impetus that drives a demonstrably remorseless , cold blooded killer to take a life or lives in such a manner that the cruelty freezes our blood, I see no answer to the question of what to do with such a person other than removing him or her from the planet.
Patris, thank you for sharing your thoughts and your grief in facing your uncle's death. I am very ,very sorry that my post brought you painful memories. I received your reply last night and you did not deserve a peremptory reply. I wrestled with what you have gone through until now. Please receive my sincere condolences. Your reply to me is remarkably compassionate, especially given your ordeal.
May you and your family find healing from your horrific experience. Peace to you.
Mr. Garcia, please know how much I admire you and those who work to redress wrongs done in the criminal justice system. Everyone deserves compassion and the obligation we have as human beings to see that everyone is redeemed if possible.
I also strongly oppose the death penalty, especially in a system where the more money you have the better lawyer you can get and, of course, if you can't pay you don't get decent representation.
Thanks for your comment, Diana. With regards to capital punishment they say that only those without capital get the punishment.
Thank you for all your work.💙
Thanks Lorraine. There are many, many people opposed to the death penalty that do much, much more than I. We do as we are able.
It's important work. In another life that's what I would devote my time to. Let me know if there's anything I can do. 💙
If you wish, Lorraine, I can cite some books and pertinent websites.
Thank you!
Thanks for your interest, Lorraine. This is a great resource: https://tcadp.org it is full of info and leads to learn and engage.
Thank you Manuel! I donated for the Marches level and signed up for emails and shared. Will keep on this. Blessings🙏🏻💙
I am absolutely against the death penalty. I fail to understand how killing someone prevents killing. There needs to be seriously severe consequences for serious crimes; killing someone should not be one of those.
However, I do not subscribe to the idea that those under 25 should be given a pass for their behavior based on the fact that their brains are still developing. If, as a society, we truly think that people under 25 years of age cannot fully control their behavior, or take responsibility for their actions, then we need to consider how this affects other responsibilities. Currently, we allow this group of people to vote, drink, purchase weapons, sign contracts, have children, serve in the military and emergency services, etc. If the 18-25 year-olds cannot understand right from wrong, and cannot be held fully accountable for committing crimes, we may need to consider curtailing other responsibilities.
Please note that there are absolutely situations where people’s sense of right and wrong, acceptable and non-acceptable behavior are skewed. This should be considered, and as a society we need to eliminate socio-economic deserts where few options exist to meet basic needs other than engaging in criminal behavior.
Overall, I think that our young people don’t need to be told their unable to make good, ethical, humanity-affirming choices. I think they need to be treated with respect, and given the tools to hold themselves accountable.
We all have consequences for our actions, good consequences for choosing wisely, and difficult consequences for poor choices. Fierce compassion is helping people understand the difference between those. Fierce compassion is helping others, as well as ourselves, to be the best humans we can be. The death penalty does none of this.
Thanks for pouring it out. I appreciate your very thoughtful comments. You bring up a lot of interesting considerations. You replied with lots of vigor and I appreciate it.
There is no amount of vengeance that brings healing. Protecting others - of course. Until we face how we all participate in the brokenness among us ... we will continue to have those who want to cut away the pain rather than heal the patient. My 2 cents (40 years as a psychiatric nurse practitioner working with families). TY, Manuel for your tireless work.
"...the brokenness among us..." says it all.
Thanks for your support Karen.
Manuel, thank you for your condolences. We are one of many families who experience these events. Too many.
My efforts are largely in support of gun control/responsibility and some reduction in the dangerous proliferation of weapons that fall into the hands of the young, even children. Perhaps someday our efforts will coincide and keep fewer of the troubled young from killing one another.
Patris, I totally agree with you.
This may alienate you I realize, because though I agree that justice is not equally applied, and for that reason a life sentence for murder is better deserved, but I do believe that there are some crimes so depraved and heinous that the harshest penalty is deserved.
Thanks for your comment Patris. In the scores of cases ending in executions that I have reviewed I consistently find the murderer emerging from being abused physically and/or sexually in a setting of a broken home, surrounded by drug addiction, alcoholism, poverty. Society is swift to attack the symptoms of violence rather than do the heavy lifting of creating healthy and wholesome environments in which to raise and nurture our youth.
What makes depraved people capable of heinous crimes? Society tends, perhaps unwittingly, to promote violence and underfund mental healthcare and education.
Are we focused on the right priorities?
As a society we are failing on many levels. Too many. So much needs to be addressed let alone accomplished that would serve to raise up more of the marginal, the abused, the hungry and homeless. Simple community support of children in homes riven by drugs and violence. Food resources easily obtained. Child credits lifting up households to be able to clothe and feed a household.
Let me say that this isn’t a matter of vengeance. (My uncle was murdered in a robbery, shot as if executed. As a family we gathered in grief, yet surprised ourselves at the lack of anger toward the young drug addict who killed him. None of us followed his trial or its outcome. It was done.
Whatever the impetus that drives a demonstrably remorseless , cold blooded killer to take a life or lives in such a manner that the cruelty freezes our blood, I see no answer to the question of what to do with such a person other than removing him or her from the planet.
Patris, thank you for sharing your thoughts and your grief in facing your uncle's death. I am very ,very sorry that my post brought you painful memories. I received your reply last night and you did not deserve a peremptory reply. I wrestled with what you have gone through until now. Please receive my sincere condolences. Your reply to me is remarkably compassionate, especially given your ordeal.
May you and your family find healing from your horrific experience. Peace to you.
Mr. Garcia, please know how much I admire you and those who work to redress wrongs done in the criminal justice system. Everyone deserves compassion and the obligation we have as human beings to see that everyone is redeemed if possible.
Patris, thanks for your words, you are such a compassionate person.
Peace and healing to you and your family.
Am grateful for your work. Never doubt it. Peace to you, p.