So, all day I have been formulating my anger and trying to find a cohesive way to put it into words without just writing up another rant filled with expletives and nonsensical phrases. I even see that we have a poll up about this particular topic; and for a short while, I had decided that I would leave it alone... move on, find something else to blog about. Maybe even find a happier story somewhere in the news that could distract me from these feelings of wretched anger.
But no - no matter what I try to do, my thoughts continue to return to this story. So, in an effort to keep my sanity and stop me from spontaneously combusting... I am going to share anyway. You might have guessed by the title what it has that has my emotions in such a hostile grip...
The United States Supreme Court ruled today that child rapists cannot be sentenced to the death penalty.
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion that execution in this case would violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, citing "evolving standards of decency" in the United States.
Such standards, the justice wrote, forbid capital punishment for any crime other than those that take a life.
Now, I know there are many on this site that happen to be against the death penalty. I am not one of them. I'm fairly certain many of you know that already about me. If someone takes another person's life, especially in a hateful, violent, premeditated way, they deserve (in my mind) no less than to be put to death.
In my opinion, some people just need to be weeded out from society - and the safest way to make sure that they cannot ever re-enter society is to put them to death. Well, that, or jettison their body out into space...but we're still working on that one.
But, the fact remains that the death penalty is still around, like it or not. And therefore, those excrements of society, the worst of the worst...should all be given equal opportunity to face it when they do something as horrible as this.
I find it despicable that these "Justices" would decide that the hurt and trauma that comes from being raped, especially by someone you trust, is somehow "less" than having your life taken. Have you ever looked into the eyes of a child who'd been raped? Even years later, that trauma is still there...looming like a dark cloud that they cannot escape from. It chases them - turns happy memories into nightmares, and nightmares into terror.
And yet, somehow, a life-long, continual trauma that will stay with these children for the rest of their lives is considered not "worthy" of the death penalty because they didn't die in the process.
Fine, I tell you what. If, in this case, the death penalty is considered to be "cruel and unusual punishment" - then tie the rapist up, and let someone rape him violently. Let's see for certain which form of punishment might be considered cruel.
Actually I have to disagree with you. The current death penalties in the United States consist of the Gas Chamber, and Lethal Injection.
Too easy for these fucking scumbags.
They need to be sodomized with a slow moving chainsaw. And yes thats how I TRULY feel about that.
~~~><~~~
"One of the things that draws writers to writing, is that they can get things right that they got wrong in real life, by writing about them"
~ Tobias Wolffe
Agreed. Death is really an easy way out for these monsters. They should be made to experience the same pain and suffering that the children will have to endure for their entire lives.
"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." - Victor Hugo
Yup, I'm a music nerd.
I know of Lethal Injection, but the US really uses the Gas Chamber? I thought those horror stories were saved for Holocaust presentations in middle school classes....
I happen to agree with you on the death penalty though, I think it's only fair, although the slow moving chainsaw might have been to graphic for me. : )
When i was 13, my mom worked swing shifts in the USAF. so she was at work while i was at school, and i was in bed when she got home, we never really saw each other. IT was during that time that i was raped by my best friends boyfriend, he told me that if i told anyone he would kill me, so i kept my mouth shut.
No one found out untill oneday i ran into him at school and i freaked out, and told my friend.., NO one belived me, except my mom. The guy got 1 year probation.
He now walked the streets, free.
I personally feel that child molesters, people who rape and hurt children, should be casturated. Like the chinease used to do to the gaurds who patroled the emprors mistresses. That way they can never hurt anyone sexualy. either that or they should be shipped off to some deserted island and left to fend for themselfs.
or, if it is a really violent crime. they should be hanged.
Check Out MY NEW and UPDATED Online Portfolio!!!!!
myspace.com/osnaphotography
~I want to know God's thoughts, the rest is just details.-Albert Einstein~
I find a few things wrong with your statement: I personally feel that child molesters, people who rape and hurt children, should be casturated. {...} That way they can never hurt anyone sexualy.
There are plenty of ways to hurt someone sexually even if you don't have the equipment to do so. Fondling, for instance, is a sexual activity that doesn't involve any penetration.
Also, there are female rapists. We don't know their numbers, because men aren't really encouraged to come forward in our society, but they are there. You can't really castrate them, can you?
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
It's often about power and rage. Castration doesn't eliminate any of that.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Mmm... that too. My thoughts are too fleeting tonight. I don't have time to get them all down before I forget them.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
EW your wealth of knowledge is amazing.
Rape is first about power than anger and rarely about sex.....but from the Funeral Directors perspective perscpective there are fates worse than death.
I disagree, I don't think any gender is urged to come forward. I've heard a lot of stories about girls getting raped and trying to come forward, but they couldn't because no one believed them or they were told to just let it go.
Sure there are female rapists, but I haven't seen even an estimation of numbers, so I can't say it's a growing threat to young men out there.
I do agree with the fondling and other non-penetrative activities as a form of abuse or threat, there are a lot of other ways to hurt people.
You're right, there is a huge stigma attached to rape. But if a girl goes to the hospital and claims she was raped, she'll probably be treated a whole lot better than if a man went and did the same thing. Further social stigmas detract men from reporting such cases, because they are supposed to be the ones in power; they are supposed to be strong and independent, not weak enough to let a woman control them.
All around, there needs to be a great deal of reform when it comes to rape and rape laws. Many people still ascribe to the philosophy of 'she probably deserved it', and that's just a harmful way of thinking.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
I completely agree with you. I believe (as I voted in the poll) that each decision should be made on a case by case basis. Now I have absolutely no respect for the lives of child rapists. I have no idea what goes on in their warped minds that even lead them to stealing the innocence of a young child by raping them. From what I hear, other inmates in a prison may take the "death penalty" into their own hands when a child rapist enters their cell block, which, mean and evil as I may sound, more power to them. If it were my child raped, I would probably kill the offender myself, despite the consequences.
Well, I was bothered all day by this damn finding, as well along with if I should write the blog that was basically the poll. I was coming to finish my blog and decided to come here and check things out first. You beat me to it! I can not in the intrest of originality put it up because it is basically what you said minus the writting skills.
I will still finish it to get it out of my system but you have it ... they should go out with a giant ramrod through their hind quarters.
~T
All truths are easy to understand once discovered; The point is to discover them ~Galileo
I hate to admit this but I have had a thought before that people who commit such a crime of this matter which really angers me as well, should be executed in the same manner as the persons they killed( or hurt like they hurt a person). Of course this is just a thought. I honestly believe our method's are not effective enough.
Hell why don't we bring back hanging? maybe after seeing that someone would think twice about hurting a child, or killing someone innocent.
This does outrage me and I am sorry if anyone gets offended by my first line and thinks I am a "sick" person to say that but I feel that way.
I worked with child sex offenders when I worked at waffle house and I hated every minute of even looking at their face.
I am sorry to be so bile, but the justice system is flawed totally...I know this all to well and it further pisses me off.
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Love comments? I do too!
Sorry, Fanaile. This is one of those rare instances where I actually disagree with you.
I am against the death penalty. I think vengence is one of the worst possible emotions to feel, and having the death penalty only encourages that. Add to the fact that the pursuit of the death penalty is a long and arduous process... it just doesn't seem worth it to me.
I am by no means discounting the horrible trauma that rape causes ANYONE, including children. It is a horrible thing. But I don't think that making the death penalty a punishment is the answer. Rather, we need to reform our rape laws entirely... make the punishments longer and more severe. Make it easier, by societal standards, to report rape, by both men and women. Provide counseling and support services to rape victims.
Punishing the rapist is important... especially considering that most rapists are repeat offenders who are violent in other ways as well. But it doesn't take the death penalty to achieve that punishment.
Oh, and the death penalty doesn't exist in all states. Alaska abolished the death penalty in 1957. Hawaii has never had the death penalty. Illinois is currently in a state of moratorium. Iowa abolished it in 1965. Kansas hasn't killed anyone since 1976, and has 7 prisoners on death row. Maine hasn't had an execution since 1887. Massachusetts hasn't had an execution since 1947. Michigan hasn't had an execution since it became a state and was the first English-speaking government to outlaw it in 1847. Minnesota banned it in 1911. New Hampshire hasn't killed anyone since 1976, and has no one on death row. New York hasn't killed anyone since 1976. On June 24, 2004, the New York State Supreme Court, by a 4-3 ruling, ruled the state’s capital punishment statute unconstitutional. North Dakota's last execution was in 1930, and the death penalty was abolished in 1973...
I don't feel like looking at the rest of the states, but you can read it all here: http://deadlinethemovie.com/state/ND/index.php
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
No worries and no apologies needed. That's why we're here, right? To discuss our opinions. I didn't expect everyone to agree with me, and you and Fallon were both people that I actually expected not to agree with me on this point... :)
I should clarify... I do know that many states have abolished the death penalty. I am in no way suggesting that they bring the death penalty back for these types of cases. And I hold nothing against those states who have already decided to move away from the death penalty.
However, for those areas where the death penalty is still active, such as my state, I see it as extremely unfair that they would say something like the act of raping a child is "less" than taking a man's life. For those states that have it - I don't believe that this horrible act should be discounted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"when you have nothing else to say, "Fwonk" is always the perfect thing."
"yeah well, fwonk"
--Devon
Fanaile Essence
In the cases of incest, do you think the threat of the death penalty would make a child more or less likely to report what is happening to them? Do you think a child would want to be "responsible" for a parent's death? This is one case where I think the death penalty does more harm than good.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
solution of chemical castration applies here.
LIFE IS IN THE HANDS OF GOD...NO ONE, NOT EVEN THE GOV'T HAS THE RIGHT TO TAKE LIFE, BECAUSE NO ONE GAVE LIFE, ONLY GOD, DESPITE THE HARSHNESS OR PERVERSENESS OF THE CRIME!
AND YES IF IT HAPPENED TO MY CHILDREN I WOULD STILL FEEL THE SAME WAY!
"You just do you, imma do me"
Please don't shout. Thank you.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
AND YES IF IT HAPPENED TO MY CHILDREN I WOULD STILL FEEL THE SAME WAY!
I sincerely hope that something this bad never, ever happens to your children so you won't have to test this theory out.
But I have a question for you... God also said "An Eye for an Eye..." among many other things that would certainly seem to contradict your assertion. In fact, there are many instances in which he clearly seems to condone the act of one man killing another given the right circumstances.
For example, Leviticus 24:16 - 24:20 reads (in the King James Version):
Exodus 22:18 - 22:19 reads
Deutoronomy 19:19 - 19:21 states
And there are several more examples that I could list. Each one has roughly the same theme - don't kill for vengeful or selfish reasons, but if someone commits a truly horrible act as described by God - enact justice by ensuring he is destroyed.
Now, granted, there are no passages that read "if a man rapes his child, stone him to death" - but the act of raping a child could be considered taking that child's life - especially when done so as violently as what happened in this particular case.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"when you have nothing else to say, "Fwonk" is always the perfect thing."
"yeah well, fwonk"
--Devon
Fanaile Essence
Number one, we are in the era of grace, not law...if you don't know your bible, we are new testament era; do we neglect what the old testament says, no!; with regards to the 10 commandments, which really are principles for all nations...but that is NOT the case with all laws in the old testament. Most laws were "time" specific, not meant for all generations. If that were not true we would "TODAY" be able to stone(kill) "HOMOSEXUALS" but are we allowed? does God free us to do that, NO! Because then that would be considered murder(one of the 10 commandments) and then we would be in trouble with God!
So, i really have defeated your argument already! And again an eye for an eye, hmmmmmmmmm...how does the relate to God when he says "Vengence is mine, says the Lord..." If vengence is God's then why would we have to live by the principle an eye for an eye...
"You just do you, imma do me"
Actually, the ten commandments were principles for the Israelites, not all nations. The 7 commandments of Noah were intended for all nations.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
So in God's eyes, its ok that we kill and fornicate, steal our neighbors property, etc.
Ok, if i kill your mother and steal from you, remember, the laws I was supposed to live by in not doing so were only meant for ISRAEL and since i don't live in Israel and never have, then i'm justified in doing so to you and your family.
"You just do you, imma do me"
Those "Seven commandments ...commanded: (1) concerning adjudication, (2) and concerning idolatry, (3) and concerning blasphemy, (4) and concerning sexual immorality, (5) and concerning bloodshed, (6) and concerning robbery, (7) and concerning a limb torn from a living animal"
For more detail on this and Acts 15 go to this link: http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/7laws.html
~T
A nation of well informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins. ~Benjamin Franklin
I'm sure you know one, so ask a "RELIGION SCHOLAR" is the christian foundation founded on the 7 commandments of noah or 10 commandments from MOSES?!
"You just do you, imma do me"
Since I'm not Christian and don't particularly care about Christian theology beyond the little bit I've studied, I could care less what a religious scholar says about Christianity.
What I'm telling you is what those Ten Commandments were intended for. They were NOT given to the entire world, they were given to the Israelites. You know, the people who Moses led from Egypt and towards Israel, who wandered the desert for 40 years, etc? They weren't given to the Egyptians, or the Canaanites, or anyone else. Just the Israelites. The Christians may have ADOPTED them many, many years later, but they were only GIVEN to the Israelites.
The Seven Commandments, on the other hand, were given to all mankind. Why? Because they were given to Noah, and everyone, according to the Bible, descends from Noah. Thus, they are applicable to everyone.
You'd be wise to look up those commandments before you jump to conclusions like you did in your last reply to me.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
is quite ineffective without putting it the context of the full text...new testament.
So if someone made a threat to kill you today, don't get scared just know they will be justified in doing so. Or if someone decides to steal from you today, don't get angry, just know they are justified in doing so. If someone decides to lie on you, don't get irritated, because they are justified in doing so. Where did the laws we have in the united states come from? OH YOU GOT IT SHERLOCK HOLMES, THE 10 COMMANDMENTS, NOT THE COMMANDMENTS OF NOAH! BUT SINCE YOU SAID THE 10 COMMANDMENTS WERE NOT MEANT FOR US TODAY, THEN YOU BETTER NOT COMMENT ON ANY BLOG ABOUT CRIME, BECAUSE IT IS JUSTIFIED SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE LAWS THAT PROHIBIT CRIME IS NOT MEANT FOR US TODAY, ONLY THE PEOPLE IN ISRAEL!!!
DUMBEST REPLY EVER FROM A PERSON...STOP WRITING BLOGS AND REPLYING TO THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"You just do you, imma do me"
You know, you're doing more to show your character than you are showing mine. I can actually carry on a conversation without resorting to yelling. Watch...
You really didn't look up those commandments, did you? Noah's Seven Commandments contain many of the ten commandments. Let me educate you....
1) Establish courts of justice. This relates to the commandments against lying, so that argument of yours doesn't hold up.
2) Do not blaspheme. This relates to the commandment of not taking the Lord's name in vain.
3) Do not commit idolatry. This relates to the commandments against graven images, and believing in another God.
4) Do not commit sexual immorality. This relates to the commandment against adultery. Assuming this is what you meant when you said 'lie on', that argument of yours doesn't hold up either.
5) Do not commit bloodshed. This relates to the commandment against murder, so that argument of yours doesn't hold up either.
6) Do not steal. Gee... that sounds like another of the ten commandments. That argument of yours doesn't hold up either.
7) Do not eat a limb torn from a live animal. This is the only one that doesn't relate to any of the Ten commandments, but relates to a number of the other 603 commandments.
So, your argument that I can't argue against crime is flat out wrong, because the bulk of the crime I would argue against is contained in the seven commandments.
And actually, the ten commandments are no special than the other 603 commandments given to the Israelites. So, since you focus so much on the ten, I assume that means you uphold the other 603, which include eating no pork and fasting on Yom Kippur. Oh, you violate those? Shame.
It would do you much good to learn the foundations of your faith before you go and spew such nonsense. Educate yourself, and maybe you'll actually appreciate when someone points you to a different perspective.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
So can I obey the commandment(law) to stone(kill) a homosexual then?!
Trust me, i know all that you wrote above and more,
its good to see the ugly side come out of people who can't stand to have their buttons pressed, because honestly what you listed above is mundane stuff, that any christian should know within the first year of living their faith...
"You just do you, imma do me"
I find it despicable that these "Justices" would decide that the hurt and trauma that comes from being raped, especially by someone you trust, is somehow "less" than having your life taken.
The simple fact is that in terms of the objective consequences that can be associated respectively with the crimes of "rape" and "murder," the trauma that comes from being raped IS "less" than the irreversible consequence of having one's life taken. When you put emotion aside (which is core philosophical imperative of our jurisprudence), the trauma that comes from being raped is severe, but the victim is still alive and does have the potential to recover and live a perfectly healthy life. It may not always work out that way, but the possibility exists. A murder however leaves no potential for the victim to ever be made whole. Unlike with a rape, there is no possiblity whatsoever for a murder victim to recover from the crime. Thus, in terms of the Law, murder is most definitely a "worse" crime than rape.
Have you actually read the decision? I found it to be dispassionate, objective and well-reasoned (emphasis mine)...
TTFN,
Blackout
-------------------------
Yes, I've changed my username from "percivale" to "Blackout." Go here if you want to know why.
For me this is a mute point. Either way, I WILL get to the person first. Is this wrong, yes. Do I have that right, no. Does this matter to me, not in any way. Anyone who harms my children or my wife in such a way will not answer to society, they will answer to me, and I will take responsibility for those actions. And I would never convict a like minded person who committed such an act either.
Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
and yes I would love to give this guy a fate worse than death and I have a legal plan to do so!
Generally speaking I am against the death penalty. As a survivor of sexual abuse, i cannot say that my life would have been or would be any easier if my abuser were executed.
I know he spent time at San Quentin prison and it does not bring me solace to know how he must have been treated as a convicted child molester.
Vengeance does little to heal anyone. It only satisfies bloodlust, which only begs for more bloodshed.
I do wish there were more effective ways of keeping these people away from potential victims. My abuser was sentenced for 8 years for repeatedly molesting two children. He served close to four.
Even with Megan's law and rules about convicted abusers having to disclose this to potential employers, I am not confident that serving time in prison and being sexually victimized rehabilitates these people.
"Consistency is not a human trait" - Maude, from Harold and Maude