Hey Elliot: Why I Support the Death Penalty

Elliot started up a good topic, and asked why some people are in favor of the death penalty. He says that for those of us who support the death penalty, it's now our chance to change his mind.

Well, Elliot, ask and you shall receive. Here are just two of the many reasons I could give for supporting the death penalty: Richard Davis and Dena Riley.

What did they do that was so horrible? I think it was put best by Clay County prosecutor Dan White, who, when describing this particular case said, "the crime against Ricci qualifies for the death penalty because it was outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhuman and involved depravity of mind."

If you want to know the details, you can find them here.

Some people argue that the death penalty should be in place because it will prevent crime. I disagree with that. I have a hard time believing that the death penalty would stop even one-tenth of the murders that go on in Milwaukee.

Others argue that the death penalty should be in place so that the state shouldn't have to pay for these people to live. The counter-argument usually goes something like: It costs more to kill a person than it does to feed them. I don't know which is true; I don't care, either.

I support the death penalty because I can't think of a more terrifying way to die than to know exactly when it was going to happen. I also believe that people like Richard Davis and Dena Kelly deserve the most terrifying death they can legally receive. At the very least, they deserve a good tattoo.

Personally, I'd be more happy if they could be ripped limb, from limb and fed to dogs, but I don't foresee that happening. Luckily, in Missouri, these pigs will be put to death, one way or another.

Elliot, it's my opinion that if a crime can be summarized as outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhuman and involving depravity of mind then I really don't have a problem with a civilized society doing away with the source of it.

I don't believe that the "Right to Life" protects anyone who has murdered, in a vile and unscrupulous way, another individual. I believe, to quote Walter Sobchak, "Over this line you do not cross!"

I believe evil people can be put to death for the same reasons I believe evil governments can be overthrown. Both situations rest on qualifying myself or others as capable of determining that someone or something is "evil" to begin with.

And besides, at least when a criminal dies from lethal injection or electrocution they are given a certain amount of dignity their victims never received: A judge, a jury and advocates to ensure that they are treated humanely.