Death penalty anyone?

[Phantaxus]

Following yesterdays bombings - isnt it about time we re-introduced the death penalty. Discuss

[gerry]

Anyone that goes out & kills someone deliberately should face the death penalty.

[Brugel]

Some time back- I think it was 30 years after the death penalty had been abolished in the UK- it was revealed that, on average, there had been three cases a year during that period, where a convicted murderer went on to kill again. Sometimes this happened while the killer was serving his time in jail and sometimes it happened either after he'd been released or had escaped. This should be kept in mind whenever it is maintained that the death penalty is wrong because it results in the execution of innocent people. Apparently not having a death penalty also results in the deaths of innocent people.

In addition, some of Britain's most infamous criminals, such as Frankie Fraser, are on record as saying that, when the death penalty existed, they never carried guns with them when robbing banks, etc, because they knew that if things went wrong and they were caught they would face a much heavier sentence. I'm not saying that the death penalty would deter religious fanatics but it's not obvious that it wouldn't deter others. 

[magicbeatle]

The death penalty may have been responsible for many innocent people being unjustly put to death. But how many lives would of been saved over the years had we executed murderers instead of letting them back out to kill again. A lot more than one hundred. And anyone who thinks that the politics of human rights concerning innocent people being wrongfully put to death is more important than the numbers of people killed each year by those who have been let out after a few short years, are responsible for the stupid way this country has gone down hill. As for the bombers, if it was by muslims then they are not british muslims. They cease to be so when they become enemies of this country. Anyone who comes into this country should love this country.(as most do) But anyone who comes here and turns against us should have their passports revoked and treated as traitors. And you know what we did to traitors during world war 2 dont you?

[El D]

Capital punishment does not deter - one only has to gaze across the Atlantic to see that. As for the prevention of further murders by execution - well why not keep all those criminals at risk of re-offending behind bars? Surely that is the safest way is it not? As for guilt by association - well, I'm sure you know someone who has committed an offence - to the slammer with you.

We must not hate these people, it's too easy and it will never solve the problem. My brother is in London, and if he had been one of the unlucky ones I cannot honestly say I would be taking a different line, I do not know if I'm strong enough.

[bernardo]

No, because it is not a proper punishment and does not work as a deterrent.
Incidentally, I am always bemused by people who use the term "do-gooder" as a term of abuse.  I prefer to be a do-gooder than a do-badder.

[Lolliemma]

I think the people that go out to kill or mame innocent people should have the same done to them if caught. Who knows what colour race religion these people where just as long as the police catch them fast and deal with them. Stick them in a prison, let them make there lifes hell, dont let them have priviledges let them live on basic foods, no visitors, no tellys, books or any means of entertainment just there thoughts to keep them and let them rot the rest of there lives away, if thats not a deterent then i dont know what is!! living life alone your only contact is with the people that are keeping you locked up, with no hope of ever getting out would stop me in my tracks of doing anything!!

these people have gone beyond human rights they dont deserve them!!

[gingerflaps]

im sorry but i agree with everything that arsenal has said. if this was the second world war and we had lots of german people coming over here then they would of got treated as spies and either jailed or sent home.

[El D]

During WW2 the German nation was our enemy - care to clarify exactly who is this time?

[Weaza_cfc]

Ah yes, as the death penalty would really put-off the rather self-explanatory named suicide bombers, would it not.

In my opinion, the death penalty is letting the criminal off easy. They no longer have to live with hatred towards them. If our prisons were not higher quality living than some hotels, and life meant life, i feel prison would be a much more fitting punishment. The death penalty punishes the offenders family, not them themselves. If killed, a person has a few painful seconds to remember their victims. In prison they could have a painful life to remember them. It should be our prison system that is re-thought, not our views on capital punishment.

Besides these people do not see what they have done as wrong. They will perfectly pleased with the result and would not care if you killed them, as their goal is acheived. They are sick sick people who have warped a religion to the extreme. Maybe if you told them that killing our people does nothing. They killed christians. They killed muslims. Their own people hate them with a venom so strong because they have bought their religion predujism it didn't need. Maybe this would have more effect. Maybe spit in the face from a mouring islamic mother would have more effect than a simple death sentence.

[Gef]

Arsenal, I think your original answer is one of the worst I have ever seen on answerbank. Do you not understand that Britain is a multicultural country? Many of the people affected by Thursday's terrible events would have been Muslims. The bombers, whoever they are, are not religious at all. Your answer made me very angry and I have asked the answerbank ed to ban it.

[brachiopod]

I think all potential bombers and those who share the same ideology should be rounded up and imprisoned.

Like Brixton, Soho and Brick Lane-bomber David Copeland and those who share his ignorant, bigoted, racist and homophobic views.

[luckyboy]

On principal i'm against the death penalty, but i have often wondered how i'd feel if a loved one of mine was murdered how would i feel.. and in conclusion i think no in fact i know i would not want the perperatrator to spend his life in a cushy prison represented by lawyers and liberty groups putting pressure on the law with countless appeals of his innocence,Theres no guilty man or women you know they are all innocent...  before he is finally released after serving under 20 years..

[WaldoMcFroog]

LuckyBoy, your answer is a great illustration of precisely why law is not administered by those who are emotionally involved, but by those who are (or perhaps "try to be") impartial.

[eupraxia]

Bernado and El D. I agree with you both. the death penalty does not and never has worked.

Arsenal I'm pleased to see that not everyone thinks like you. you can't blame an entire group of people just for the actions of a few. If that were the case then everyone is guilty of everything that ever happened. White anglo saxons for the deaths of blacks and anyone else who didn't see things thier way. Blacks for the deaths of thousands in Africa. The entire German nation would have had to stand trial for the deaths of millions in the consentration camps. Where do you stop.

[admarlow]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Scullywoo]

I agree Phantaxus.  Bring back the death penalty.  Our prisons are a walk in the park, criminals don't exactly leave feeling they've served a 'sentance'.  Most criminals walk free in half the time they're supposed to serve.  What about these innocent people's families and friends who suffer and their suffering is a life sentance.  There needs to be tougher laws and harder consequences for people like this.  How dare they have our country hanging on a string waiting and wondering where and when?  People say they won't beat us but they have, they've killed innocent people and will go on causing more horrendous acts around the world to people who just want to live their lives. 

[ARSENAL]

Congrats Gef!  My answer has been 'edited by AB.'  Another victory for freedom of speech and what this country stands for!  People died in their thousands (needlessly so it seems) so we could speak how we please, and to keep those who wish to destroy us out or our country.  They must be turning in their graves thanks to people like you. 

[Cavalry]

Just as people died in their thousands for equality without prejudism. Perhaps they are turning in ther graves thanks to you?

[Weaza_cfc]

Just as people died in their thousands for equality without prejudism. Perhaps they are turning in ther graves thanks to you?

[Gef]

Arsenal, I think ABed was lenient in only editing you rather than banning. The point is that the bombers, whoever they are, care nothing about this country or whoever lives here. Terrorism has nothing to do with religion.