Comments on: Exposed, Disposed, Deposed, Despots http://timthefoolman.com/2006/12/31/exposed-disposed-deposed-despots/ Stream of consciousness rambling about technology, theology, and "parentology" Wed, 09 May 2012 00:35:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Tim http://timthefoolman.com/2006/12/31/exposed-disposed-deposed-despots/#comment-1586 Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:22:51 +0000 http://timthefoolman.wordpress.com/2006/12/31/exposed-disposed-deposed-despots/#comment-1586 By imprisoning someone, what have you done? You’ve taken away from them the opportunity to live. You stated that you wanted Saddam to spend the rest of his life in prison. Haven’t you taken his life away from him?

If you take the notion of justice in the light that you’ve described (the purview of God only), then we would not punish any criminals… we would simply wait for God to execute justice either here, or in the hereafter. Again, I am not suggesting the death of Saddam accomplishes anything significant beyond eliminating him as a threat to anyone in the future.

If we don’t have the right to take someone’s life, then we have no right to imprison them. As always, thanks for the comments. This is why I enjoy topic-centered debate and discussion about important issues, instead of what passes for debate in the public media. :D – Tim

]]> By: tiffanytaylor http://timthefoolman.com/2006/12/31/exposed-disposed-deposed-despots/#comment-1585 Tue, 02 Jan 2007 23:57:22 +0000 http://timthefoolman.wordpress.com/2006/12/31/exposed-disposed-deposed-despots/#comment-1585 With an interesting bit of timing, New Jersey may be on its way to abolishing the death penalty, if it follows the recommendations of a legislative panel: “With just one of its 13 members dissenting, the commission said there was “no compelling evidence” that the death penalty served a legitimate purpose and increasing evidence that it “is inconsistent with evolving standards of decency.” The panel recommended replacing capital punishment with the sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.” (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/nyregion/02cnd-death.html?ex=1325394000&en=074fe982c8caa047&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss)

>>Saddam has forfeited his “right to life” by his crimes, and society is just in taking that life away from him. … one could argue that prolonging his misery and suffering (by imprisoning him) is more cruel than killing him>>

Who decides who has lost their right to live? It seems as though someone with your religious beliefs would view that sort of decision as falling only under the purview of God. And I truly don’t see how killing someone can be used as evidence of a just society. Also, my concern doesn’t arise from the choice of the “least cruel” punishment; I agree that quick death may be less cruel than long imprisonment. My concern lies in the decision of taking someone’s life: a decision that I don’t think any human has the right to make for another.

OK, I’m finished arguing about the death penalty now. Probably. ;-)

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