YOUR thoughts on the death penalty.

[ATI_7500]

Sametime I think euthanasia and abortion must be allowed.

Depends on where you draw the line between 'life' and '"proper" human life'.

And this question could keep you busy till the end of days.

[N505AF]

Eye for an eye!!!  Evil people will always be around some times its the only way to get them to see what they have done is wrong...  The death penalty is in no way revenge it is a means of punishment for a select few that could not be reached any other way.

[Anti-Societys Snake]

Eye for an eye!!!  Evil people will always be around some times its the only way to get them to see what they have done is wrong...  The death penalty is in no way revenge it is a means of punishment for a select few that could not be reached any other way.

May I shake your hand sir? I've been shadowing this tread for a while trying to come up with the words to voice my oppinion. Your post covers What I Think 100%

[beefhole]

Eye for an eye!!!  Evil people will always be around some times its the only way to get them to see what they have done is wrong...  The death penalty is in no way revenge it is a means of punishment for a select few that could not be reached any other way.

aye.

[Hagar]

It's interesting to see everyone's views on this but we could discuss it for years & still not agree. This shows how difficult it is for those with the power to do anything about it. One thing is certain, you will never please everyone. Whatever they decide the most important thing is that once a serious offender is caught, tried & found guilty he/she should never be in a position to repeat their offence or endanger the public ever again. I'm afraid that this has been allowed to happen in the past which shows incompetence on the part of those responsible.

Also bear in mind that some criminals manage to avoid full punishment for their crimes. These are usually wealthy people who can afford the best defence team or powerful mobsters like Al Capone whom everyone knew were responsible for callous murders but could never pin the rap on them. There are also corrupt law officers & inept judges. One judge in England was called the "Hanging Judge". I forget his name but if you were unfortunate enough to come up against him you could almost be certain of a death sentence. He was sometimes put in charge of "show" trials where the outcome had been decided by the authorities beforehand. If you're in favour of the death penalty just make sure you get the right person.

[Saitek]

Well that is just what I wanted. views exchanged for interest. Well done everyone for keeping level headed!
No I wasn't refering to you Doug.

Ben

[Craig.]

well done Ben, you managed to survive the threat of your own public execution at the hands of the Mods, and a half ton of marmalade:)

[Saitek]

I sure did - the axe was laid to the thread and just as I thought it had been chopped it was given a lifeline.
At least we can all be nice to each other on something so nasty/contravesial!

[Hagar]

No I wasn't refering to you Doug.

None taken. I like to think I'm pretty level-headed most of the time. That's why they call me flat-head.

I don't know why I get involved in these discussions. I'm sure nobody cares what I think & there's nothing any of us can do about it anyway. I think we all agree that the people responsible for these dreadful crimes should be removed from society & never allowed to repeat them. Where we differ is on how this should be done. I don't think there's a definite solution for every case & this must be left in the hands of the powers-that-be. The death penalty was revoked in the UK by a free vote in Parliament which is how it should be in a democracy. This was by an overwhelming majority from all parties. I can't see that being changed in the near future.

[Craig.]

That's why they call me flat-head.

I thought it was because of the time you banged your head against a brick wall trying to explain to Mr Fozzer why its best not to go shooting round the Welsh countryside on a bike.

[Papa9571]

And this thread proves we all have learned three things..

1. You CAN nave an intelligent discussion about such a controversial topic and keep  it civil.

2. We all have agreed to disagree politely.

3. Dont lock a topic unless it has really gotten out of hand ( please  ::) )

[Saitek]

I echo all that.
Actually thought they redebated bringing it in in the 1970s Doug. It failed of course, but not by such a margin as you would expect. Maybe it was the Hindly affair though that caused it.

[Hagar]

This might interest you Ben. History of UK Capital Punishment

I've picked out the relevant parts to answer your question.

There have been at least 13 attempts to bring back hanging for various categories of murder since 1969. All have failed, and the trend has been towards ever greater majorities in Parliament for abolition.

In February 1994, a majority of 197 votes defeated a proposal to reintroduce the death penalty for the murder of a police officer on duty.

Note that this also brings the UK in line with the EU.

Since the abolishing of capital punishment for murder, the death sentence had remained in force for treason and piracy with violence. The use of capital punishment in these two instances was abolished in 1998 under the Crime and Disorder Act.

On 27 January 1999, the UK Home Secretary (The Labour MP Jack Straw) signed the 6th protocol of the European Convention of Human Rights in Strasbourg. This move formally abolishes the death penalty in the UK.

Members of Parliament have regularly debated the reintroduction of capital punishment since it was abolished for murder. In the last death penalty debate in 1994, MPs voted 363 to 186 against its return for people who had murdered a policeman. MPs voted 403 to 159 against introduction of capital punishment for all murderers.

[Saitek]

Isn't it still an option for murdering the Queen or a High Court judge before a case? Obviously what you have quoted denies that, but I was under the impression this was the only two cases that it cold happen under.

[Hagar]

You're the one studying law Ben. I'm just an ignorant pleb. You tell me.