Week
of
7/4/97:		 Last week in Maryland, another man was executed for committing murder. In your opinion is capital punishment an effective solution to reducing the incidences of violent crimes?



Name: Heidi Carlson
Email: Heidi.Carlson@maine.edu
Response: I feel that it's wrong to execute anybody, wouldn't you rather see somebody be given a sentence of life imprisonment for the rest of their lives, sooner or later, somebody's going to kill the inmate, you know how violent prisons can be. I also feel that a person who lives their life in a federal prison for a life sentence has to live each and everyday thinking of their families,friends, and what not. But do you realize, some really sit and think as to why they are in prison, the onlyones who don't feel a thing, are the psychopathic serial killers, they should be the only ones really paying the price, not somebody who's killed onlyone person, I know it's not right to kill anyone at all, but don't kill somebody who's only killed one person, because that person can be helped, not a serial killer. Serial killers are aware, but don't care! Does anyone agree? Because I rather see a serial killer on deathrow rather than someone who's only killed one person, put the person away and give them serious attention, help them build up their self esteem, social skills, wellness, and what not. Believe it or not, these people can be saved. NOt serial killers, because if you think about it, a serial killer is running around on a killingspree, while a person who's only killed one person is about to be fried in the chair. I feel that the death penalty is way too harsh, they won't be able to handle 8 years on death row, without the chance that some cruel and psychopathic inmate is going to kill them. I feel that the federal government is wasting tax money to put these "Human Beings" to death, instead, let these people live out their lives in prison, eventually, they will be killed by some inmate.Take Jeffrey Dahmer for instance, look what happened to that fruitcake, and I would like to know how Charles Manson got away with living so long. Really, think about who the judicial system is really protecting here, they take all serial killers, and let them go free, and end up frying somebody who's only killed one person, and I feelthat this is very "unfair" really "UNJUST." THey need to focus on serial killers only, spare the ones who aren't serial killers, and get them some help. I feel that no matter how much capital punishment we have, nothing could reduce the violent crime rate of these psychopathic Americans, they don't care, so they should stop wasting our tax money. I feel that the victimes parents should decide, not the jury or the judge, or court system. this will make it harder, because the victimes parents should be the ones to decide when they are to be executed, and there solves your problem for prison overcrowding. Signed,HCConcerned citizen of America Name: Jennifer
Email: jdeaver78@hotmail.com
Response: Absolutely not. I believe that Capitol Punishment is a never ending murder cycle. One murder after another. What does that solve? How much sense does it make for the state to kill someone for killing someone? Stupid if you ask me. And I also think that Capitol Punishment only punishes the killers' famillies and not the killers themselves. Again, how much sense does that make? I think that "improving" how prison systems is the key to a reliable deterent. I think that each accused murderer should be in their own LITTLE cell and right outside their cell there should be a tv and vcr where all day everyday they watch home videos of their victim(s) and their families. To me that would be punishment. I also think that the victims' and the killers' families should be able to come and see the killer and that the victims' families could also be able to hang pictures of the killers' victims all over. Too bad I am not president!!! One last thing, I don't see how anyone except God has the right to take the life of another.


Name: Muasabe Graham
Email: We don't use it enough
Response: In my opinion, the death penalty is not effected only because it is not used enough. I'm sorry to say, i believe they should bring back the old days of public executions. It seemed to create a deterrence of criminal activity. When you see them swinging or burning, it makes an impact. In some countries, they choose to cut off your hand if you merely steel, -first time offense-.We the taxpayers would like to see the funds use to support deathrow inmates; by support, i'm speaking in all aspects right up to paying legal fees for futile appeals; used toward the good of man kind, creating programs for our young people. They could call the funding "a contribution to the youth from death row." In my opinion they abused their opportunity of life. They ignored the responsibility we all share in becoming a viable member to our society and more or likely took the life of an individual who was not shurking his or her responsibility. Think about it. I wonder if it says something in the bible that if we receive our punishment here on earth, we will have suffered for the sin, because if we don't receive our punishment here, then won't we receive it at judgement.. Now if you had the choice where would you rather receive it..........


Name: azim shakib
Email: n/a
Response: Killing is wrong when you did it . it is wrong when you do it. death penalty is simply taking someone God given life, and you do not have right to take somone,live , The other does not have right to take you your live. As responsible person be patience you can solve crime problems in America through rehabilitation, this doesnot mean there should't be punisment for crime , but before implimentation of Punishment, the cause must be removed first such as racism, rich is powerfull and poor no body, justice for all no color, Race... Mohammad Azim Shakib


Name: Christine Eber
Email: meber
Response: I have read many of your responces, but after getting about half way through I got sick to my stomach. Yes, I am one of those good little catholic girls whose parents taught them to be good and holy. And yes God said that those who live by the sword shall die by it also, but he never said that we were responsible for giving them their punishment. In other words who in the hell do we think we are that we should be able to take someones life. The Bible also says thow shall not kill, everyone seems to forget that one, people who do wrong will get punished by going to hell or some other punishment. The main point is that it's Gods' job to bring justice upon the unjust, not ours. And what does that make us were killing people to say killing is bad. Okay and this is the part that really pisses me off, everyone talks about the victems family and how they have no pity for the convict. Well try this, can you imagine being the relative of this convict, who you love dearly, and then having him sentenced to death meanwhile a whole bunch of the locals start making comments about how they can't wait for him to fry! I can understand no compasion for the killer but how about some compassion for the family, they didn't commit the crime. Besides can you imagine having your child on death row, the most tramatic thing that can happen to a person is the loss of a child, especially be violent means. If you really want to talk about what the Bible and God says how about the part when Jesus finds the adultress and he tells them "If any among you are without sin then you may cast the first stone". I'm not saying that our normals sins can be classified with that of a murderer, what I am saying is that we have no right. I could go on about this forever and bring tons of facts up but I have to get back to writing my persuasive speech, for class, on why capitol punishment is wrong. So far you guys have given me alot of info. Thanks!


Name: Melisa Wallace
Email: addiedoll@hotmail.com
Response: Many people seem to think of the death penalty as a logical solution to such crimes as murder or treason. After all, if someone commits such a heinous crime as killing a fellow human being or completely betraying our country, why shouldn't they die? I guess that I just have one question for those people: Where is the good done? How can you justify the ending of one human life to compensate for another? Why kill someone to show them that killing is wrong? If I'm not mistaken, the death penalty is enormously ironic, and even borders on sadistic. Call me soft, call me a push-over, but if it were up to me, the death penalty would be just a painful memory for those who care enough about the human race to want to improve it, not exterminate it.


Name:
Email: petreia21@mailexicte.com
Response: I don't feel that the death penalty reduces crime at all, simply because we don't use it. Besides from talking with my brother who has been locked up off and on since he was 15 doesn't think about going to jail before he commits a crime. He thinks about three free meals a day, free shelter, free insurance, free, free, free. It sounds like we as society are very confused. The people that try to do right are out here working hard to make a living while the ones who lie, cheat, and steal are getting everything given to them. That sounds like a good way to "rehabilitate" people. Ha! Ha! What a joke.


Name: THE UNK
Email: UNKE@HOTMAIL.COM
Response: IT IS PLAIN AND SIMPLE IF YOU TAKE A LIFE YOU SHOULD LOSE YOU'RE OWN.


Name: Brenda Bowers
Email: bowersb@voyageronline.net
Response: The death penalty is a deterrent. If you are dead, you can not be a repeat offender. Perhaps we should be focusing on the victims and their families that suffer post traumatic stress syndrome for the rest of their lives, on the victims for whom Christmas and other holidays are ruined forever, on the loss of income and property, on the financial hardship of medical and rehab expenses. If you take away another human being's rights, why should you be allowed to keep yours?


Name: Stinger
Email: Sealamb@Hotmail.com
Response: I do not think that anyone has the right to judge somebody else's life. Although, that is only my opinion. Some of the other voices I have heard on here are very strong, and hard to fight back with, but what does capital punishment prove? Or better yet, what does it say about our country as a whole? What kind of an effect do you see? Is this really a punishment to violent criminals, or a relief. Are we a violent country, or a blind government?


Name: Ralph A. Randall
Email: B1MORE1@aol.com
Response: The American power structure had problems with a "white" boy getting the paddle (caned) so they rallied for a reduction, corpting the laws and Practrices of a society were crime is minimal. in contrast to America. They studied Hannibal Lechter then made a movie showing how they were attempting to put this great mind to good use but they got used. They wanted to study Jeffrey Dalmier even though he wanted to be put to death and asked them to. Yet, with all the reason from evidence of decapitation to men of color penis in the freezer to Blood in the refrigererator and the system some how opposed capital punishment. However, Flint Gregory Hunt had to go!........... Say it loud Ms. Rosa Reed, how they administer the death penalty is a Joke. ???????????, But I can't laugh because it seems like the joke is on me. Im trying to understand why the system preserves: a serial killer that shaves the skin off of people: or a perverted pervert that likes to drrain his victims of blood after sex,: or a former Hopkins student, heavily involved in the College Republican Club, that illegally carries a 357 and commits cold-blooded murder of someone described as a fomer friend. I can't laugh because the system response to the actions of these "white" people suggest that they have value, but Flint Gregory Hunt you have know value, you got to go.. Process check. We are talking about capitol punishment reducing crime. So we must recognize that the unfair, unethical, administration of Capital Punishment and other sentencing has had a negative effect on the intended result. It is my believe that the unfairness and unethical behaviors demonstrated by the owners and operators of the systems is a MAJOR area in need of review. Solomon Landers I join you in your support of the victims, however, I will add the fact that victims are not only those who die as a result of violent crimes. Victims include those who are falsely convicted or unethcally, and unfairly caught-up by the system. Your list of what blended or makes up the American Laws ommited the Fugitive Slave Codes. My cousin Luck was shoot to death on a bus stop, because the stick up man was mad Luck only had bus fair (().35. cent).. In this case, I think the gun man should die, death penalty whatever, whoever. Nnamdi Nzingha. stated what I believe in.an eye for an eye. without the Temptations slant. "vote for me and I 'll set you free. To include this political bent feeds the unethical, unfair, crime against humanity anaimal that is a part of the dolution.


Name: K. Leonard
Email: k8wra1@juno.com
Response: If capital punishment were a deterrent to violent crime, Jimmy Hoffa would still be alive as well as many others who were murdered. Capital punishment is just society crying out for revenge. It also serves as a societal placebo which makes people think they are safe, which isn't true at all. If in fact the justice system were perfect and we could always be certain that we were executing the right person for a crime, I would be one of its staunchest advocates. But the system isn't perfect, many times people have served time on death row when they were innocent of the crime they were convicted of. Most of the time the people who are executed are the poor and the undereducated. Many times rich people have gotten away with murder and never served a day in jail. Capital punishment is the easy way out. Years ago, capital punishment was a lynching of the nearest suspect. That was wrong too.


Name: Brother Akindele
Email: akinyemi@online.emich.edu
Response: Capital Punishment is an excuse to get rid of minorities here in the good ol' U.S. of A. How come there are more Nubian-Americans on death row than Caucasians? How come we have to die for a crime that we did not commit? Hell, it's already bad enough with drugs,sex and violence eliminating our community. If you want to take it to another level, capital punishment is already in use on the continent of Africa. What I mean by this is the fact that 80% of the people in Africa now have AIDS, Ebola and other life-threatening diseases, thanks to our wonderful good buddies at the CDC, NIH, and WHO. It's not called capital punishment over there, it's called genocide. Capital punishment is genocide. Wadu.


Name: B O P
Email: supa_ronn
Response: Capital Punishment is absolutely pointless! What's next: raping rapists?!? stealing from robbers?!? Little Malcolm Shabazz caused his grandmother's (Betty Shabazz)death. Should we now put him to death?!?!?!? If America seriously thought that capital punishment worked, it would put all murderers to death. The idea of the government murdering thousands or thousands of human beings is unrealistic. Even the most die-hard bone head that readily shouts for the murder penalty would not readily accept the government killing 2,000 or 3,000 or 3,500 HUMAN BEINGS!!! We should put murderers in prison for the rest of their lives. Let them contemplate their crimes until the end of their days. Besides, this would clear up our court calendars, free money for more useful usage and ensure that not one INNOCENT person is put to death for a murder not committed. WAKE UP AMERICA!


Name: Ardie
Email:
Response: Ask Johnny Cochran. For 27 years he fought to free G. Pratt from a wrong conviction. Had he been sentenced to death, he'd be dead right now. Imagine all of the lies and exaggerations concocted by the prosecutors that led to his imprisonment. They knew he was innocent of the charges, but played politics just to get a conviction. When DA's want a judgeship, they'll do anything to get it. Even sending the wrong people to their death. What do you say to the wrongly executed? Sorry?


Name: Anthony Joseph Hopkins
Email: anthony-hopkins@usa.net
Response: I really think Capitol Punishment would reduce crime among only a certain group of people. It depends on the crime, nature of the crime, and the motives behind the crime. However, in some cases, inmates are sentenced to life in prison, or die for unjust reasons. There is still a lot of Injustice in our society, and the only way this is going to be eliminated will be to correct the problem. Therefore, the entire Criminal Justice System as a whole will have to be modified. As far as Capitol Punishment is concerned, I really think if a person commits a very serious crime, such as killing someone unjustly, then they should be subjected to the consequences.


Email: nikeherc@ixnetcom.com
Response: Capitol punishment is a 100% deterrent because it insures that this perpetrator will never again take a human life. If CP is used as it should be, i.e., execute everyone eligible, then it will be a more effecive deterrent and help to curb the prison overcrowding.


Name: Nnamdi Nzingha
Email:
Response: No, it is not a deterrent to violent crime. The question I ask is, has violent crime decreased since it has been in effect? I do believe in the death penalty though for those who have committed murder and child molestation. I believe in the eye for an eye concept.


Name: Solomon Landers
Email: Numberup@worldnet.att.net
Response: While I look for the Divine in everyone, and respect all life, I simply have no tears to cry for the willful perpetrators of murder. I am too busy crying for the innocent victims. Nor do I wish to appear to be more righteous than God. Our American laws are a blend of Old Roman law, English Common Law, and the Judeo-Christian heritage. I have no philosophical problem with capital punishment. According to the Bible, right after the Flood God told Noah, the father of mankind: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God made he man." Even the mild Master Jesus declared, "All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." In other words, if you live violently, expect to die violently. St. Paul, discussing a Christian's obligations to the State, speaks of secular authority to punish evil as being "ordained of God," and says of the officer of the State, "he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." The state has the right to legislate for the protection of all its citizens. The state has the right to legislate capital punishment. Our obligation is to see that it is carried out consistenlty and equitably. In a perfect world, no one would have to be put to death. But since this is not a perfect world, I stand with the victims, not the perpetrators. The perpetrators have a choice. Often, the victims do not.


Name: Erica!
Email: thomas2@potomac.net
Response: CP doesn't deter crime; if it did, we wouldn't have this debate and decry the crime rate. The media and politicians use this to get folks to buy into (or vote) their agenda, and tell them they'll feel better when the perpetrator is dead, if in fact it is the really the guilty person. We should focus on prevention, b/c even if the person goes to jail and is executed, you still won't erase what happened to you (or me) and/or loved ones. I'd rather prevent crime from occuring. And for those whose actions can't be nipped in the bud, put them in jail and keep them there, instead of those convicted on mandatory minimum sentences and people jailed for crack. I can't say that I've never wanted someone to get the death penalty, but it will never be evenly applied and will never deter crime. Retribution isn't a good excuse, even though it really does feel justifiable.


Name: Ejee
Email:
Response: There was a time in my life when I would have quickly and immediately denounced the idea of capital punishment. I agree it is cruel and it is barbaric, and it is the government's license to legally commit murder, primarily to our own African American males. But, then I grew up, I have a family whom I adore, and I pick up the paper everyday and I read about the heinous crimes committed against my people, by my people every day in the communities where I live, travel and work. As I read these stories, as I read about innocent black mothers who weep over innocent black children, shot down on the streets of my community as they rode a bike, or played jump rope in front of their homes; as I read about innocent black women, black girls and black boys, savagely raped, stabbed, strangled, murdered, and yes executed for no reason at all, then I think to myself Lord, what would I do if this were my child, my sister, my family member. Would I lead the call for the execution of someone who senselessly murdered my family member -- I don't know, I might, would you? The biggest problem as I see it is the possibility of punishing the wrong individual. Not just in the case of capital punishment, but when prison terms etc. are meted out through our judicial system, it's possible that innocent African American males may be sent to jail and/or executed for crimes they did not commit. For being a black male in the wrong place at the wrong time. But what about those negative, evil individuals who wreak havoc in our communities, committing crimes in our communities, against our people. Be honest, you've seen them, if you haven't you know they exist. Aren't you tired of your cars being stolen, you come home your apartment is empty, your kids' bikes are stolen, this is the minor stuff. Do you worry about your son getting into a silly argument with someone, and possibly getting shot over it. Aren't you sick of it. So what's my honest answer. I'll be real. I don't think capital punishment is right. But ask me again if someone hurts me or mine and you might get a different answer.


Name: marie fernande augustin
Email: ma011e@uhura.cc.rochester.edu
Response: I believe that the death penalty is barbaric and hypocritical. Regardless of the fact that it is racially biased, what is really unfair is that it takes away a human being's chance or opportunity to be forgiven by God. When Cain killed abel God did not kill as 70% of the american population would have. He left him to a life of comtemplation where he could actually reflect on what he has done. KIlling is only justifiable in self defense. Capital punishment is not self defense, it is retribution. It teaches that revenge should be left up to God. We should punish people but that dos not include murdering them. The death penalty is premeditated murder. Gov'ts of men should not be allowed to decide who lives and who dies.


Name: M. Gabrielle Wood
Email: monicaw@afroam.org
Response: No, I do not believe capital punishment is the way to combat violent crimes. Flint Gregory Hunt's execution, last week in Maryland, did not bring his victim Ofcr. Vince Adolfo back. Executing a criminal is just as much a murder as the murder the criminal committed. We are playing God when we intentionally take the life of anyone. I am not saying that a criminal should no be punished for the horrible crime they committ. What I am saying is that, "two wrongs don't make a right". And, with investigations concerning the unfair number of African-Americans being sentenced to death compared to other criminals,(mainly white criminals)underway a halt of executions nationally should occur until the numbers are reviewed further.


Name: Ishmael A. Evans
Email: mike_evans@unicam3.lcs.state.ne.us
Response: Capital Punishment is not an effective detterent against violent crime. In fact, capital punisment feeds the public's frenzy for controlled, safe, violence by giving it state sponsored version of violence. This in turn makes capital punishment not much more than a made-for-t.v. spectacle. The most effective deterrent toward violent crime is for parents, society's leaders, and others that can influence the impressionable youth of today to enforce AND rienforce the message violence in the STUPIDIEST way anyone ever thought of as a method of dealing with a conflict situation. Increasing the Peace, Increases the Prosperity for All Concerned.


Name: ACJ of the O.A.K.
Email: ajohnson@heald.edu
Response: If killing people for violent crimes was an answer than the world would be a smaller place. Especially if the crimes against a nation of people was concerned. Somebody wants to apoligize for Slavery and is still digging up riches from the land of the people that the apology was meant for.


Name: albert reed
Email:
Response: Working for the State's Attorney's Office in Maryland I am afforded the opportunity to observe first hand the trials of various individuals accused of committing heinous crimes involving the taking of someone's life. I will never be convinced that capitol punishment is a deterent. Many of the defendants who are on trial for crimes that warrant the death penalty did not think about the consequences as the act was being committed. There is little if any remorse by the accused for their act and for those individuals who believe that cp is wrong just visit a court room in your area and sit in the pews with the family, relatives and friends and you will see the dispair and anger that they are experiencing. Tell them that life imprisonment is a proper alternative. I believe you will take their side.


Name: Drew Scott
Email: quadrivium@hotmail.com
Response: It would seem on the surface that if you take a life you should forfeit your own under the law (capitol punishment)BUT....... looks who's dishing out the punishment the "whites" are at the controls. It is on record thats blacks are executed many times more likely for capitols offense's than whites and more times than likely executed for killing whites than blacks then whites murdering blacks. So like selective law enforcement on non capitols crimes the black get the dirty end of the stick everytime. So until everybody's treated exactly the same for the exact same offenses then I'm for one against Capitol Punishment. It won't bring the victim back and more than once in the system a innocent has been sent to his death. Being against this form of punishment affords the opportunity for the offender to do some good doing his life long prison sentence and possibly save an innocent man from execution. And as for reducing violent crime check out the data you will that execution of no effect on reducing violent crime


Name:
Email: MMcgee1048@aol.com
Response: I don't know that if capitol punishment by itself will reduce violent crime. There are roles that family and community might play. As an undergraduate college student, more than 30 years ago, I heard a talk by an official in the federal prison system. In response to a question from the audience about crime, he stated that our culture has long since abandoned support for families, women and children. He went on to say that until we had a change of mind and heart, the incarceration rate would increase. Today, there is ample evidence that we the people of the United States of America prefer spending up to $35,000 per year to keep individuals in prison than to spend $5,000 per year to prevent the problem when these individuals were children. That said, at present, those who die, do not kill again in this life. For now, they may be the victims of our short term solutions. On the other hand, they, like me, have the choice of behaviors. They are not machines--in this life, as always, there is choice.


Name: debra hayes
Email: djhayes@bellatlantic.net
Response: I think the death penalty should be used in violent crimes that result in the death of the victim. I think that is the only way that criminals will get the message that their crimes will not be tolerated.


Name: Smitty
Email: smittyd@swbell.net
Response: I beleive in cp only if it is equal amoung all races and if the murder was planned and not self defense


Name: Rosa Reed
Email: darth6847@aol.com
Response: I live in Florida. Based on how I have seen capitol punishment administered in this state, I believe that it is a joke.


Name: Solomon Landers
Email: Numberup@worldnet.att.net
Response: An effective solution for reducing violent crime? I don't know. Is anything else working? It doesn't seem like it. At least capitol punishment assures that the convicted criminal will commit no more violent acts. There is a correct concern that capitol punishment has not been administered fairly; that there has been racial bias and judicial malfeasance. These areas need attention. But innocent people are being dealt "capitol punishment" every day be violent thugs and deviants, the latest (as of this writing) being a 7-year old kid. These innocents did not have any benefit of trial by jury. Their lives were just snuffed out by violent sociopaths. We are right to show concern about anyone wrongly convicted, but why not care also about the totally innocent, perhaps in the wrong place at the wrong time, who are killed just because some thug "felt like doing it," held a grudge against someone else, or settled a score? Those permanently removed from society can no longer prey upon it.


Name: sonlight
Email: mmcdev@erols.com
Response: Call capital punishment by what it really is, murder, be it by an individual or by the state in our name. Murder will not discourage murder. The legal process in murder cases prevent it from being a deterrant. Also in the eyes of my God, it is wrong to murder or in other words take a life. The Lord is of life not death.


Name: Garth Garvey
Email: ggarvey@interlog.com
Response: Killing a human being, to show that killing another human being is wrong, just does not make very much sense.


Name: Frances Murphy
Email: FrankieLou@aol.com
Response: No!! Killing is killing. For the government to kill someone raises a red flag that says it is O.K. to kill. The person is dead isn't he? Executions will not solve our crime problem as statistics have proven. When will we learn to pay attention to the research??