Out of morbid curiosity, what exactly was the common and ordinary (read "Constitutionally acceptable") method of implementing the death penalty used 200 years ago in our great land?? I'm sure it simply could NOT have been hanging, as that has apparently been deemed to be cruel and unusual. And thus every historical execution lawfully carried out this way MUST have been illegal and done by a corrupt regime, according to some here...
On a side note, why would it be a violation of a person's 8th Amendment rights to have a "death by hanging" sentence carried out after the full due process of the law has been completed? If hanging is so horrifying to watch, don't freaking watch it! If it ends in death for the person sentenced, then I guess it was pretty successful, huh? When I think of cruel and unusual, I recall horror stories where someone was skinned alive, or buried alive in an ant hill, or any of the classic medieval torture methods that could take days to kill someone. Hanging resulting in death a few minutes later than normal? Awww, shucks. Pity the poor convicted murderer/rapist/whatever. NOT.
And while I'm at it, I would like for someone, anyone, to show me a valid and verified legal system implemented by humans that has NEVER made a significant mistake. With sources and references, ironclad historical data to back it all up. I will wait patiently for this impossibility to happen. I will also, however, go on with my life with the realization that EVERY judicial system will ALWAYS make some errors in some way simply because it has humans involved in it. I will trust our judicial system...not blindly, and certainly not always happily...to make the best possible decision in life/death situations based on all the modern fact gathering and analysis available at the time, and with the full consideration of due process protecting the accused from "kangaroo court" type decisions. And by "due process" I am referring to the right to appeal a misguided sentencing to a higher court, where a better analysis of the facts has a realistic shot at changing the verdict. I do NOT however support the idea of "chasing jackalopes" by trying every single strategy in every single higher court possible in the hope that eventually one judge will ignore the preponderance of evidence and somehow miraculously deem the accused to be wrongfully convicted decades after the original decision was handed down.
On the other hand, what exactly is the point of one life sentence, let alone multiple life sentences being handed down? I have always believed that if the court sees no possibility of the accused ever returning to society in a productive & rehabilitated manner, then a simple application of short rope/long fall would remove that individual from society without placing further burdens on everyone else in that society.
Of course, I'm positive that someone on here (not naming names and all that) will have a truly wonderful and eloquently worded argument as to why I'm despicably and utterly wrong.
This ^^ Especially the highlighted part. Rep sent.
When the criminal's guilt undeniable, they should be done away with quickly. Quite frankly, whatever is fastest,most surprising,and cheapest.
Oh and I'm not interested in watching. "It worked-Justice is served" is all I need to know.
If they are going to be in prison/jail then they do not need any luxuries whatsoever. Last I checked they are supposed to be paying a debt to society, not being catered to and pacified. Along with the absence of privileges maybe
they should be up at 05:00, make their own food & take out their own trash,wash their own clothes by hand, along with any other chore that can be thought of while they are incarcerated. As many as possible should be sent out to work in the community for at least ten hours a day. Lights out 22:00 and wake up and do it again. This is just a short
list lacking details, but a decent start.
Cruel and unusual won't happen in our sissy society so no worries there. Of course, that is up for interpretation anyway,
because a belt or smack on a child's rear used to be normal, however many now consider that cruel too.
Funny how the pacifism and lack of punishment in the home is the same mindset expected to be mirrored in a correctional facility. Ironic correlation IMHO. We wouldn't want a prisoner to be uncomfortable.
Oh, I did a paper on capital punishment and the like a long time ago too and the parts of the world where they cut they're arm off for stealing or killed you for taking a life if driving while intoxicated had miraculously low crime rates and very very few repeat offenders. Go figure.