10/14/96: Fifty years and a Life Misconduct

Posted By: Up@Prodigy.com Shakesmear

The problem with the death penalty is that it is argued for in general terms in a utilitarian fashion but the process is strictly retributive. This conundrum has liberal philosophers attempting to 'square the circle'.I have never been entirely sure whether or not a true life sentence i.e. in stir for the rest of your life, or an actual execution is the crueller punishment.I believe it was Peter Ustinov who said that the punitive part of a death sentence was the actual waiting time, knowing that on a fixed date the state is going to kill you/or maybe not. It could be that frequent appeals result in a prolongation of the agony of anticipation and serve therefore to exacerbate the sentence.

I remain ambivalent about execution. My moral sense says it is wrong no matter what the provocation. My reptile brain says kill my family and I'll kill you. My compassion says that murderous psychopaths (Bundy et al) should be put down rather than go through the hell of permanent incarceration.

Confusing isn't it?

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