James Bulger

[milliezoe]

If the two animals that killed James Bulger had been hanged then we would not have half the problems we have today. I am pointing to the yobs that killed a shopkeeper with a hammer in the news today hanging would have made them think twice ?

[standian]

The death penalty is in my view state sponsored murder and should never be brought back. I do not believe it is a deterrant (in fact I do believe that "may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb" is true and in some cases people choose to murder to better try and cover their tracks) - a good point was made about arrogance and people believing that they will not get caught.

As far if something happened to a family member of mine, I remember that there was a case in America (I think Chicago) a few years ago where the mother of a murdered daughter gave a speech to the court as part of sentencing - and she specifically spoke against the death penalty saying that it was against her morals, but also that enough harm had been done through the murder of her daughter and she could not contemplate the thought of the death of her daughter leading to another death or the memory of her daughter being linked with another death- I cannot remember her exact words but it struck me at the time as such a dignified and mature response.

My family know and largely share my beliefs around this and I know that they would want me to be able to take such a dignified stance which stuck by my principles.

[jno]

aog

// it does raise the question of whether released killers can ever live a normal life. The anwer is they can and sometimes do.///

No the answer is they took another's life, they themselves don't deserve to lead a normal life.

That's the answer to a different question, not the one I asked.

[brionon]

You want to Hang 10 year old boys ? YOU should be locked up !

[anotheoldgit]

Let me put it on record that I have never said that young children should be hanged.

My arguments have been in defence of the return to capital punishment, and even when it was law, it was only people over a certain age (I think18) that were hanged.

Murders and other vicious crimes committed by young children are another problem, and although it is only a present day phenomenon, I really can't see the answer.

Do we lock them up for life?

Or was the punishment these two received enough to solve the problem?

[Ankou]

"Or was the punishment these two received enough to solve the problem? "

solve what problem specifically ?

[anotheoldgit]

jno

You do nit-pick,

The answer you gave to your own question,,,,,, /// can ever live a normal life. The anwer is they can and sometimes do.///

My answer to the same question was........../// they took another's life, they themselves don't deserve to lead a normal life.///
..

[jno]

aog:

Q 'Can they?'

My answer: 'Yes they can.'

Your answer: 'They don't deserve to.'

But I didn't ask if they deserved to. I asked if they could.

[anotheoldgit]

Ankou

Do I really have to spell everything out to you specifically?

The problem these two caused in the first place, by committing this crime.

Problem, problems.

I will leave you to itemise the problems, it will give you something to think about.

[naomi24]

Whilst I agree that we need tougher sentencing for adult offenders, I cannot comprehend how anyone, least of all a self-confessed Christian, could ever condone executing children. I find that incredibly sad.

[Ankou]

"The problem these two caused in the first place, by committing this crime"

thats not a problem, its a criminal offence. they were caught and did some bird - so "problem solved".

christ in pyjamas, you aint fricking columbo are you.

[anotheoldgit]

jno

Oh go on then I'll humour you.

Q 'Can they?'

Your answer: 'Yes they can.'

Q 'Can they'?

My answer. 'No they can't' ('They don't deserve to.')

[Ankou]

surely you mean, 'yes they can, but don't deserve to'

[jno]

okay, aog, so what's your assessment of Hulme and Parker, then? (The Heavenly Creatures girls.) As far as I can see, they're rehabilitated, and I'm not paying my taxes to keep them in prison - instead, they're paying taxes like me. So I say they're living a normal life. Do you say they're not?

[ummmm]

I think that's what he means....

Well that's what would make sense...