A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

I guess this is political, if not, sorry

Posted: Nov 10, 2009

So, I'm a conservative pretty much to the core. Not as far right as Rush, definitely nowhere near Michael Savage, more kinda like Sean Hannity.

This whole thing about the DC Sniper being put to death tonight kinda has me bugged. The death penalty is supposed to be a conservative belief. I realize he killed 10 people in cold blood but who are we to play God and take his life too? I do understand the Bible saying "an eye for an eye".

I read a lot of true crime, watch a lot of shows on Investigation Discovery and 48 hours hard evidence and hear all about brutal crimes and I'm glad we have a more humane way to put someone down now, at least in most states. Still, even though they took a life, is it really up to humanity to take theirs instead of just locking them up in solitary for the rest of theirs?

Kinda makes me think of The Green Mile by Stephen King. Both the book and movie were excellent. Very very touching.

What do you guys think? Would I change my way of thinking if a brutal murderous act were committed to one of my family members?

;

Think we should leave it up to the families of those - he murdered! -I have no right to say.nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

My take on this - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I think we have a different viewpoint on the people you listed. I think Rush and Hannity are in the same group. Hannity idolizes Rush and likes to consider himself Rush Jr. They are both far far right, as is Bush/Cheney (too far right for my liking). Michael Savage on the other hand is definitely not right or left. I've listened to his shows and he goes right down the middle. He's said some pretty harsh things about both sides. You should hear what he thinks of Bush. Makes me laugh. I find myself independent and here's why. First election I was old enough to vote I went for Carter (much to my parents horror) :-), then after that I voted Reagan, could not vote in the next election as I was in the army), then I voted Dukakis (sp?), Clinton, Dole, Bush, didn't vote the next election (bad choices), the McCain. So I believe my votes are pretty split between the candidates. Whenever I vote I'm usually voting for the better of the two evil, or in other words voting so the other person will lose. Never really voted for someone because I believe in them. Everything depends on the issues being discussed.

Anyway...your point...DC Sniper. People who are on death row I usually do not pay much attention to. I figure if they have gotten to that point there must be some solid evidence that has put them there.

While on one hand I kind of agree with leaving it up to the families, on the other hand I think society has to take some responsibility and monsters need to be punished for the crimes they commit. I've never thought of the death penalty being a conservative or liberal belief, just what is in the best interest for society. I do not consider it playing God, I consider it living in the laws put forth. For every action there needs to be a consequence. I'm not up on bible history, but I do believe in the olden days they would stone people to death and other things like that, but they pretty much followed the laws God put forth (I could be wrong and like I say I'm not up on bible history, but that's what I think. I still prefer the way they handled it back in the days of the civil war. Take them out back and hang them. Public too. People need to know and see what will happen to them if they commit the same crime. Criminal who do haneous (sp? - worse than horrible) crimes need to be held responsible. How else are we suppose to deter other people from doing the same type of crimes if we don't seriously punish the ones who are caught. I think the dp is an appropriate measure providing there is absolute 100% proof that the people receiving it did the crime for which they are being punished.

I have always believed that a person who has committed a crime should have the same crime done to them. If they have to suffer then they will truly know how their victims felt. I'm not a masochist by any means. I cry when I see pain and suffering, but what about the families of the victims. If one of my family members was murdered and suffered horribly I would want the person who did it to them to suffer the same. The thought of anyone suffering sends me into a depression (and this goes more for children and animals who suffer at the hands of an animal (i.e. a piece of human debris walking around this earth without a soul).

I saw Green Mile years ago. Very good story but I don't remember much of it, but I don't think it altered my viewpoint on the subject.

I can remember and honor the dead but not with more killing - What Jesus said and what he did

[ In Reply To ..]
I was really hoping not to see any posts about this issue because it nauseates me.

Of course we don't have the right - nor do we deserve the power - to kill in cold blood.

And you post, while thoughtful and eloquent contained a few errors of fact - which I think you would be interested in:

Firstly there IS no humane way to murder someone against their will - lethal injection is death by suffocation - they are paralyzed first so that it just appears to be more peaceful. Don't take my word on it check it out -

Secondly, Jesus said, "you have heard it said, 'an eye for an eye,' I tell you there is another way. That saying comes from The HEBREW SCRIPTURES, which are referred to as the Old Testament, and Christians follow the Jesus.

and what Jesus DID when the woman was to be stoned to death? He said, "Let he among you who is without sin cast the first stone." Jesus is of mercy, forgiveness and love. He would NEVER pull the switch.

Getting away from the religious aspect of the issue, the death penalty makes people feel they have done "something" to pay back the evil deeds. They confuse REVENGE with justice. No matter how we kill this man tonight it will not return ONE of his victims.

What it WILL do, however, is bring us down to his level - killing to punish killing is the cowardly choice. It hardens us.

Why? Because every dollar we spend to kill (and it's more expensive than life without parole) TAKES AWAY DOLLARs from proven prevention programs.

That won't change the mindset of the 'kill em all crowd' but thinking people should really stop and think: It is better to kill ONE murderer after the fact - or to PREVENT his/her victim(s)?

Then there is the racist issue, the wrongly convicted issue, etc.

PLEASE get the facts before you decide. Check out these sites:

MVFR.com (murder victims families for reconciliation)
And Journey of Hope (from violence to healing)
These are two groups who lost a loved one to murder but say for various reasons: Don't kill for me.

And then there is cuadp.org and ncadp.org

Oh, ok. Lets feed and shelter and nuture the scumbags. That will deter - future killings... NOT !.nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

A few things wrong with this.... - me

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes we do have the right and should have the power to use the dp when necessary. That is not called killing in cold blood, that is called holding people responsible for the horrendous crimes they committed. For every action there is a consequence. We do not kill in cold blood - the criminals kill in cold blood.

Second I don't care if its not humane. You think it was humane for the killer to kill another, to strangle them and watch their eyes pop out of their head, their tongue swell up so they can't breath, puke all over them. Have you ever seen someone die at the hands of a criminal? You think it's humane to watch someone beg for their lives, pee their pants and defecate on themselves while they are in the process of "in-humanely" being killed by these animals without a soul. Or do you consider that humane?

I also think people should leave their beliefs about how they think Jesus would act or what they think Jesus would say because that is all it is - people opinions. Nobody really "knows" what Jesus would say or do. Back when Jesus was alive there was not a lot of type of crimes being committed that we do now. People were different back then. Different time. You cannot say what was good back then would be good for today. Besides people say they "know" him but they don't really and there is a possibility that people could be wrong about what Jesus really was like. And since none of us lived with him and walked with him nobody really knows him. It's all what people what to think they know.

The reason there is a dp is to deter people from committing the crime that would put them in that situation. Laws were created for a reason. The dp was created for a reason.

But bleeding heart liberals don't care about the terror of the victims. Don't care about the suffering the families of the victims are going through.

Also, these animals who commit these crimes have no chance of rehabilitation. Jail is supposed to be to rehabilitate criminals so they can become a part of society again and not commit the crimes anymore. Animals like the DC Sniper, Ft. Hood guy, Jeffrey Dahmer, etc. Those are not people who will ever be rehabilited to be released into society again. Jails were not created for someone to live forever in there, they were created to punish the person so they can be released and live back into society and not commit the crime again.

Once again you are mistaking cold blooded murder (what the criminals do), with following the laws of the country and protect the people from this type of animal behavior. Following the laws of our country certainly does not bring us down to "their" levels. Nothing will ever be that low.

Protect the people. Punish the ones who commit the crimes.

That was a great reply... could not agree more. - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Couple of wrong assumptions there - NJ

[ In Reply To ..]
"...bleeding heart liberals don't care about the terror of the victims. Don't care about the suffering the families of the victims are going through."

Extreme statement. Hyperbole. Untrue. The only ones who don't care are the sociopaths.

"Jails were not created for someone to live forever in there, they were created to punish the person so they can be released and live back into society and not commit the crime again."

Our jail system is not built for rehab. It is punitive. There are chances for criminals to rehab themselves, but the jail system doesn't do it. It's a huge failure there.

NJ

Gotta say your right on that one...except a little tweek - me

[ In Reply To ..]
It is an extreme statement. But I would have to say there are two groups I believe don't care about the victims and suffering the families go through.

1. The sociopaths like you said, and
2. The people who do everything to protect the monster who did the atrocity while showing no compassion for the victim and their family. And they can be of any political party.

Maybe I'm wrong about the prison system. I have always believed jails were created to punish people who did crimes. I always believed that while in jail they would get counseling (which I consider rehab). While in jail they would be evaluated and determine whether there was any hope for them to be released back into society. I never thought jails were intended to be a permanent place of residence for some people.

Again, I could be wrong, but that's is just what I have always thought.

Thanks for pointing out my "extremism" :)

Well, it is nice to know I share at least one opinion with a conservative! LOL - Colleen

[ In Reply To ..]
I have always been kind of on-the-fence about capital punishment anyway, partly because it does not make sense to me that we punish someone for killing by killing them. That bothers me. Seems like the height of arrogance and hypocrasy. How can we justify that, really? I can't. Also, we are rarely completely sure if we have the right person. I keep picturing the kids and family of someone who is wrongly executed.

That being said, if there is anyone who deserves to be put to death it is someone who kills 10 people in cold blood (did we ever hear what his "reason" was for doing it?)because as far as I am concerned, that is someone who has given up their rights. I think I tend to lean more against the death penalty but feel differently on different days, so I hear you.

And, The Green Mile is great movie! But I like pretty much anything Tom Hanks is in. Guess we agree on 2 things!

Well I agree with you on this - but there's something - that bothers me

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't consider sentencing someone to the dp as "killing someone". I consider it due process and rightful punishment for a crime they committed.

People know what the consequences are if they commit a murder. They know this in advance and they still commit the crime.

If we don't have serious consequences for their actions and carry out those laws, then what is going to deter more people from committing the same crime.

I don't believe in letting people sit in jail for years and years or life. The reason is because it's my tax money going to house those people and feed them. If my taxes are going to go to something I'd much rather see them spent on people who truly need them who don't commit crimes.

I understand what you are saying and I agree on some level - Colleen

[ In Reply To ..]
but that is still a part of me that just is not comfortable making that judgement. Who are WE to make that judgement. Like I said, I understand what you are saying and but I am just not TOTALLY comfortable with it. I guess it is just something that I will continue to wrestle with.

Death penalty - gourdpainter

[ In Reply To ..]
I used to believe strongly in the death penalty but like so many things these days I'm finding I have to rethink my position. As I ponder Matthew 5:38-42, I am having misgivings. Jesus doesn't stop with just saying "an eye for an eye," but goes on to say not to resist evil doers. I'm wondering if maybe a more severe punishment rather than keeping them on death row in solitary confinement for years and then executing them, a better punishment might be to confine those convicted of heinous crimes in a maximum security prison and make them work with all their pay going to the victims' families? Maybe a good occupation for them would be doing medical transcription 24/7. If they happened to kill each other...well, sobeit.

Thankfully I have never lost a loved one to a murder or violent crime and if that should happen would I want to see the criminal put to death? I honestly don't know; I don't think it would make me feel any better or give me "closure." Of one thing I am certain, I could not willingly witness the murder of another human being even if it was someone who murdered one of the people most dear to me.

Similar Messages:

Oct 26, 2012
and hope all of you stay safe up and down the East Coast during Sandy's battering. If it's as bad as last year, it's gonna be a lot of trouble for a lot of people. In some places, there are still a lot of leaves on the trees and Halloween last year brings back some ugly memories. Take precautions and stay safe. ...

Jul 14, 2013
I know many of you don't like Breitbart, but there's no commentary, just a statement from the DOJ. http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/07/14/DOJ-investigate-Zimmerman?utm_source=BreitbartNews&utm_medium=facebook ...

Oct 28, 2009
Thought we could all use a laugh. I got this email..... The Pentagon announced TODAY the formation of a new 500-man elite fighting unit called the: United States Redneck Special Forces (USRSF) These mostly Southern boys will be dropped off into Afghanistan and will be given only the following facts about the Taliban and terrorists: 1. The season opened today. 2. There is no limit. 3. They taste just like chicken. 4. They don't like beer, pickups, co ...

Dec 03, 2009
This is funny whether you like him or not. I'll bet Obama would laugh at this. http://www.theonion.com/content/video/obamas_home_teleprompter?utm_source=videoembed ...

Feb 21, 2010
...

Apr 03, 2010
http://www.comcast.net/slideshow/news-politics-politicalsexscandals/ ...

Mar 18, 2012
I thought this was funny about politicians - Its neutral. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40owQ7mQRok&feature=related ...

Apr 20, 2010
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1267136/Father-banned-driving-getting-wheel-toy-Barbie-car-drunk.html ...

Sep 10, 2010
Dictator said: He is aware that Obama is the president. System typed: He is aware of the vomitus the president. ...

May 26, 2010
I never saw James Carville so furious and I don't blame him. This is oil spill is absolutely unforgiveable. The marshlands are being destroyed and probably the whole fishing industry for a few years, if not more than decades. I was reading other reports yesterday and I always read the poster's comments. Some say stop depending on oil and depend on nuclear, solar, and wind. That's easier said than done. Solar and wind are expensive and not a guarantee for northern climates. N ...

May 23, 2012
This is funny. Thought we could all use a laugh. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjNTAna0IU0&feature=g-logo ...

Aug 10, 2012
It's titled: "The Obama That I Used To Know." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJnAp3YxCCw It rings true for the disenfranchised Americans who now realize they were sold a bill of goods at the last election. See what you think of it. ...

Aug 20, 2012
Spoken: She continues to run down the halls. VR: She continues to Ron Paul's. ...

Sep 19, 2012
Thought this was cute. Humor or relaity? Think I've had these kind of conservations here. LOL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGwtG8nVpUU&feature=related ...

Oct 04, 2012
To lighten the mood, this guy is a crack up. I think Obama must have watched him and used the taking no questions one. LOL The whole routine about politicians is funny. http://www.comedycentral.com/video-clips/2vzxrg/stand-up-brian-regan--brian-regan---politics ...

Oct 06, 2012
Why does it seem like only the narrow-minded right wingers post on this forum? I hate to tell you, but Romney lies as much if not more than Obama. He will sit there and say he wants to create jobs in the US while having profited greatly from offshoring. That's just the tip of the iceburg. ...

Jul 23, 2013
Is anyone else here put off by political pundits? I don't care if they're democrat or republican, they all get under my skin. Half the time, they're just spouting crap to get their troops all riled up and boost ratings. They often yell, cut people off and mock their callers. I enjoy reading the news and don't need it spoonfed to me by some partisan blowhard. I don't care who they are! Anybody else agree? ...

Oct 07, 2013
link ...

May 28, 2014
See it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS8P8dfbPzE ...

Apr 05, 2016
I predict outsiders Trump and Sanders. ...

Nov 14, 2016
Excellent song and fitting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTjmhA0kiA4 ...

Jan 23, 2016
Congressional Black Caucus member supports Oscars 'diversity' boycott http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/01/22/congressional-black-caucus-member-supports-oscars-diversity-boycott.html Are Asians, Hispanics and Arabs boycotting also? ...

Feb 09, 2016
1. President Donald Trump and Vice President Marco Rubio are sworn into office. 2. In a rare event on inauguration day, Congress convenes for an emergency meeting to repeal the illegal and unconstitutional Socialist healthcare farce known as Obamacare. The new Director of Health and Social Services Dr. Ben Carson announces that an independent group of healthcare management professionals is hired to handle healthcare services for poor and low income people. They are also assigned the duty o ...

Sep 27, 2016
Well I think the political mob has threatened Lester Holt in some way. Honestly I am not being paranoid but the way things in DC have played out when clearly Hillary and a lot of her cronies should be in jail makes this feasible. Until someone comes forth and tells that they have been threatened then it will continue. However, if they are threatening families of these people then I can see why they are hesitant to come forth. Honestly, I am sick of how our country is turning out just ...

Mar 24, 2011
Just read this from a Pro EMR doc blog... We all need to be aware of the potential uses of EMR technology....This made me cringe: January 17, 2011 The Frightening Political Side of EMR Written by: Dr. Michael Koriwchak Filed under: CPT EHR Electronic Health Record Electronic Medical Record electronic medical records EMR HITECH Meaningful use Permalinkadd to del.icio.us What truly frightens me about HITECH is that it demonstrates the government’s enthusiasm for juxtaposing ...

Dec 04, 2009
They banned Christmas in the school even down to candy canes on the trees. No Santa Claus either. They feel kids shouldn't be exposed to this stuff. One parent stated Santa Claus is is like using the swastika! I don't have anything to research this yet. Just heard it. Something else to kill the happiness of children. At the school meeting, people gave suggestions, but they weren't listened to, and it all stands as is. When and where will it all end? Political Correction my butt. ...

Mar 27, 2012
Reading through the posts I would like to ask everyone again to please stick to issues and discuss politics and leave out the name calling and insulting. The posts are getting personal again. People can get into heated discussions. That is understandable, but would like to remind everyone this board is for discussing politics, not insulting other posters. If there is a post that has nothing to do with the topic being discussed, but is just to inflame other posters those ...

Apr 20, 2010
Happy 4-20 to those of you celebrating today!! ...

Apr 21, 2011
I always enjoy dropping by here for a break, between tasks. I'm learning that I get cranky about politics. Obviously I need an outlet from stressful work, but I'm just not sure I can handle politics. I'm never cranky around people that I see in person. Why is it so hard to do on forums! I admire those who are able to be statesmanish, even on forums such as this. That is a goal I am setting for myself. ...

Jul 26, 2012
I do not usually comment on fundraisers because I believe both parties are equally guilty of stretching facts into fiction, but this is regarding a recent R fundraiser, where I was asked to contribute my money. The basis of the request for money was based on a statement made by Obama that I just could not believe, so I tracked it down myself. The request went something like this: Dear Friend: "At a recent campaign in Roanoke, Va, President Obama had a simpl ...