Why?

[MWB]

I was just reading about a non-human on death row who needed some money to pay bills, so said he was going out to look for someone with money. They kidnapped a victim, used the victim's ATM card to withdraw $200, then drove them to a deserted place & shot them 3 times in the head & face! Why would someone step over that line from a "simple" robbery, to murder? Stupidity is no excuse, heat of the moment is no excuse. Surely they would prefer a few years in jail for robbery than a life sentence, (in non death sentence states) or death row?

[Ethel]

How did he get out of prison to commit this offence?

[MWB]

That was what got him on death row, saying he was going to get money, then murdering the victim.

[Ethel]

Oh! Sorry.

[monkeyeyes]

Utter disregard for human life.
He decided that depriving someone of their life was far more preferable than leaving a victim behind who could identify him.
I'm still undecided about the death penalty but at least this person has been removed from decent society............

[mibn2cweus]

Robbing someone, whether it be of their property, their freedom or their life are simply various forms and degrees of the same thing, the initiation of force. Taking a turn down that road and following to its dead end destination only serves to demonstrate the error inherent in such ways.

There is no middle ground between right and wrong. It is ones first indulgence in rationalising and trivialising an act of violence, however 'measly', that leads speciously to the next.

[jake-the-peg]

There is no middle ground between right and wrong Mib?

Did I just see you write that?

How do you stand on abortion? Euthanasia? Assassiniation of murderous Despots?

[andy-hughes]

It is not possible to second-guess the actions of an irrational mind - which by definition is the case here.

One thing is for certain, anyone who robs and murders is not the sort of person used to thinking ahead and assessing consequences of actions before taking them.

These are the people to whom life simply 'happens' - they don;t think ahead or plan where their lives will take them, they simply react to the moment, and let situations take them where ever they go - in this case, to a death sentence.

[mibn2cweus]

jake-the-peg, I was wondering who might grab that hot potato when I posted it. Uncertain whether I could do that assertion justice I submitted it any way. What�s life without a challenge?

Firstly, if it�s OK with you, I�ll begin by digging myself in a little deeper.

Right and wrong are absolutes defined by the nature of reality and the means by which beings whose lives depend on making the right choices survive and flourish. That means is an individuals moral code, the principles which guide our choices and actions. If ones moral code conforms to the dictates of reality they benefit from a higher quality of life. If ones moral code is flawed they suffer the consequences.

Ones ability (or lack thereof) to discern right from wrong from the grey of ignorance do not alter their absolute nature. Only the quality of the lives dependent on their ability to discern which is which is at stake.

I am not here to dictate what is right or wrong. I am here to declare that the quality of the life you lead (your own) depends solely on your choices in light of your understanding of the nature of reality, including your own, and how best to integrate your survival and well being with that nature. What we cannot change we have no other valid option but to accept while voicing our disapproval.

continued . . .

[mibn2cweus]

Choices are a consequence of the advent of reason. Reality can and is altered by the consequences of our choices and actions. To be changed for the better a fundamental grasp of the true nature of reality, our relationship to it and each other and what is in our mutual rational self-interest must first be understood. A mutual understanding enables people to cooperate freely and willingly in the achievement of mutually beneficial goals, the only justification for interaction between people.

Reality by its inescapable nature is the only lawful dictator of what is right and wrong. In this age where the power of reason has such a profound and powerful influence upon the flow of reality our ability to discern, live by and mutually agree on what is right or wrong will ultimately determine if we cease to be a feature of that landscape or survive and flourish. The intensity of your apparent surprise at my assertion attests to your recognition that this is so.

[mibn2cweus]

In any compromise between right and wrong , right is invariably the victim. In any choice between the lesser of two evils, evil always prevails. What one knows to be right one must never compromise and what one knows to be wrong one must never trivialise. Failure in either of these fronts leads to a downward spiral of incertitude and regret.

Be good and realise, if only in your own eyes, that you are worthy of existence.

[MWB]

mibn2cweus, MIB;

I am out of my seat, giving you a standing ovation.

Hear - bloody - hear!!!

Like minds 'n all.

[mibn2cweus]

MWB, Thank You very much . . . but does this mean I am now expected to live in accordance with my words . . . <�?

All jesting aside, to the extent I have lived according to those principles I have benefited accordingly and can attest to their life affirming and emotionally rewarding consequences. Reality has no stake in our success or failure to conform to its laws but to the extent I have learned to understand the nature of reality and have chosen to adhere to its laws I have been able to make reality my friend and have learned some of the ways that reality will yield to my rational wishes and have been justly rewarded.

We are not born with the knowledge of right and wrong nor how to live in this reality into which we are cast. Yet because we are not born with the answers is no excuse to not ask the questions. Acquiring this knowledge and learning to use the powerful tool of reason which we inherited from our evolution wisely is a life long endeavor.

At each step of the way we discover how much more there is to learn. Enlightenment to our past mistakes is not a call to guilty indulgence but provides us with an opportunity to heal the past and brighten our future. Knowledge is a gift we can truly appreciate only through our understanding. This is the price we pay for the benefits we enjoy.

Living by our convictions often finds us on a lonely path but one that reason will not allow us to depart from. When we are blessed to encounter another being along the way with the capacity to share the lessons we have learned it lightens both our loads and makes the journey that much more fulfilling.

[naomi24]

Sounds about right. :o)

[mibn2cweus]

Well hello Naomi. Fancy meeting you here. I'm delightfully surprised . . . but not exceptionally so. ;o)

[mibn2cweus]

Hmm, perhaps I better clarify that last statement;
. . . thoroughly delighted . . . not so surprised . . .

Me thinks I better shut-up now and quit while I'm behind . . .

[MWB]

Just thank the gods there are more "good" people than "bad". Kindness still abounds & beds are still made straight.

MIB, no, you don't have to live in accordance with your words, but those words will be pushed down your gob if you don't "give it a rest" lol

I sense you might be as mad as an onion ring, and twice as interesting.

[naomi24]

Mmm .... wise, as always, Mibs. ;o)

MWB, your senses half deceive you.