Abolishing prisons

"See, part of the problem is that there's a disconnect between the people who think prison needs to meet certain standards of humanity and those who think it just needs to be opposite of Disneyworld."

Sure, but I have to wonder at the lack of empathy implicit in not believing that certain standards of humaneness should be met. Even if you have no sympathy to speak of, a purely practical standpoint, which takes into account that not every convict is guilty, and that not every punishment befits the crime, should result in a view that prisons should be more humane rather than less.

"But there are others who just aren't worth keeping alive."

Serious question here, why do you think yourself qualified to determine whose life is worth preserving?

edited 2nd May '11 10:27:23 PM by kashchei

And better than thy stroke; why swellest thou then?

@Topic: LOLHELLNO. Unless by 'abolish prison' you mean 'make white collar criminals and assaulters pay huge fines, inject killers and rapists with enough cyanide to kill an elephant'.

My name is Cu Chulainn. Beside the raging sea I am left to moan. Sorrow I am, for I brought down my only son.

Cyanide injections cost money though. Why not use a re-usable tool to execute everyone that you're executing?

Also saves the trouble of all the meaningless procedures like finding the right artery, getting a "professional", etc.

---

^^ Well theres also the judges who are paid to determine their guilt(after hearing from the lawyers, juries, etc.) and then sentence them etc.

Speaking strictly of those who did "unforgivable crimes", these people really should have known better. You don't even have to go to school to know certain acts are illegal.

But we really need to fix the problems of the systems first...and first, have a solid and clear stance on Euthanasia so that no one mercy-killing someone who begged for death would be tried as a criminal.

edited 2nd May '11 10:35:32 PM by Signed

"Every opinion that isn't mine is subjected to Your Mileage May Vary."

It boggles the mind how so many people forget about the Eight Amendment. Or the English Bill of Rights. Or the Slavery Amelioration Act. Or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt." - Some guy with a snazzy hat.

Not american...plus, I doubt many americans could remember all those to begin with.

"Every opinion that isn't mine is subjected to Your Mileage May Vary."

Speaking strictly of those who did "unforgivable crimes"

What exactly is one of these?

And better than thy stroke; why swellest thou then?

How the fuck is the English Bill of Rights American?

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt." - Some guy with a snazzy hat.

Cutting you off in traffic if you ask some people.

edited 2nd May '11 10:37:37 PM by blueharp

@Signed: Well, even with an old-fashioned execution you have to hire an executioner. Still, good idea, an axe costs less than chemicals.

My name is Cu Chulainn. Beside the raging sea I am left to moan. Sorrow I am, for I brought down my only son.

^^^^ The most obvious one would be murder either via intentionally killing them, or attempting to beat them half to death and then accidentally dealing the last killing blow...

Others will require a whole new thread to debate...rape, human trafficking, ordering the death of others(but not actually doing the deed yourself)

^^^ When I read all of those different names, I just sweeped them all as "american" I barely recognize any of them anyways.

edit:all of you have strong ninjutsu's...

edited 2nd May '11 10:41:26 PM by Signed

"Every opinion that isn't mine is subjected to Your Mileage May Vary."

Christ. And if you're gonna treat ignoring one of the most important tenants of justice like a goddamn joke, I personally think you ought to keep out of this.

edited 2nd May '11 10:42:42 PM by KitsuneInferno

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt." - Some guy with a snazzy hat.

Have you bought a good axe lately? They aren't cheap. Not to mention the chemicals you have to buy if you choose decapitation as an option. Clean-up is a pain. And keeping the axe sharp and functional. And no, I'm not going to go for the 40 chops option.

edited 2nd May '11 10:41:56 PM by blueharp

I was thinking more along the lines of sharp hunk of metal dropped on the neck...or deaths by a thousand cuts...to the neck.

Is it painful? Yes. But it's called punishment. Don't want to get executed? Easy, don't do something that warrants execution.

edited 2nd May '11 10:44:55 PM by Signed

"Every opinion that isn't mine is subjected to Your Mileage May Vary."

Ah, geh, um, no, just no.

The thing about making witty signature lines is that it first needs to actually be witty.

"I barely recognize any of them anyways"

Small wonder...

And better than thy stroke; why swellest thou then?

It's just a bunch of bills human beings made up. And it's not like I'll bother to memorize a word like amelioration...they don't even bother to teach you those in history classes.

"Every opinion that isn't mine is subjected to Your Mileage May Vary."

x4

That just saves you the trouble of finding a big strong person to swing the axe. Still have to maintain the equipment and clean-up. I think you'll find the chemicals the more affordable option.

And no, you don't get the option to choose willful infliction of suffering because you can't guarantee you won't do it to the innocent. The problem of justly deciding how much is acceptable torture adds further trouble that I'd prefer to avoid.

edited 2nd May '11 10:46:43 PM by blueharp

"It's just a bunch of bills human beings made up."

...

"And it's not like I'll bother to memorize a word like amelioration..."

...

"they don't even bother to teach you those in history classes."

(they do)

And better than thy stroke; why swellest thou then?

If you're too lazy to check Wikipedia, I consider you far from capable of espousing a coherent opinion on justice.

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt." - Some guy with a snazzy hat.

Seconded.

And better than thy stroke; why swellest thou then?

I can state with 100% certainty...they don't.

We were being taught the major events of the Cold Wars. Something about apartheid. Certain battles in WWII. And for some reason, Rasputin.

^^ Good job dodging the issue.

Why don't you try to justify not executing a criminal? Why don't you try justify that a person has worth even though they committed a crime they know they shouldn't, but did anyways?

edited 2nd May '11 10:50:24 PM by Signed

"Every opinion that isn't mine is subjected to Your Mileage May Vary."

You may wish to file a complaint regarding the inadequacy of the education you received. It seems to have put you in an awkward position as others find your ignorance of the precepts to be quite an obstacle to discussion.

edited 2nd May '11 10:50:17 PM by blueharp

You don't need an education to know how to use Google. Wait...

Half of your goddamn posts have little to do with the topic at hand.

edited 2nd May '11 10:50:30 PM by KitsuneInferno

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt." - Some guy with a snazzy hat.

What you meant to say, your shithole of a school does not consider any humanist movement from the Enlightenment onward worth teaching in an attempt to ground its students in present laws and human rights. My advice is, transfer.

"Good job dodging the issue"

You're the one dodging the issue by refusing to educate yourself on the basics of the argument we're having.

edited 2nd May '11 10:51:08 PM by kashchei

And better than thy stroke; why swellest thou then?

Off-topic, but personally I haven't bothered to try in school at all for years now. So I'm highly undereducated. History, geography, politics and math are all esp. boring to me. Not the stories so much but the rote aspect.

"Had Mother Nature been a real parent, she would have been in jail for child abuse and murder." -Nick Bostrom