The Death Penalty

Both the authors bring out very credible to state their varying stands, and I must say that the both of them have been very convincing. But, as I have made clear before, I will certainly object to the death penalty, and thus am siding with Antonio Cassese.

Both of them provide evidence that seem to contradict each other. One particular piece of evidence drew varying opinions from the writers. For instance, Gary Becker says that the death penalty has actually helped to deter crimes, which is seen in the drop in crime rate in the U.S. However, Antonio Cassese, seems to think otherwise. Thus there is no real way to tell if either of them is telling the real truth. But the main reasons why I chose to object the death penalty is that, firstly it is highly ineffective and I don’t think that it really helps to deter further crimes. I like the point that Antonio Cassese stated, that in a fit of complete rage, no one is going to think about the consequences should he or she kill someone. That’s the raging bull in us all, waiting to get out and do some real damage, not even sparing to thought to think logically. That’s the extent to which our anger can drive us.

I like another point Antonio Cassese drew up. I really feel that people are paying too much attention to this death penalty issue. I feel that increased emphasis should be placed in fighting for crime prevention and against the inhumane acts in prisons. Through all this, we will be able to totally abolish prisons. I mean, the purpose for prisons is to teach criminals a lesson for the sins that they have committed. But with all the atrocities and inhumane acts being committed in the prison itself, don’t the inmates lose the fight towards turning for the better and leading a new life??? Many are going to be scarred for life and these reasons are why many commit suicide in the prisons. Are prisons really the ideal places for rehabilitation???

But, Gary Becker also brings up a good point in saying that administering the death penalty to a murderer could potentially save 3 other lives. The opportunity to save innocents by killing a murderer, whom I must add, rightfully must not be shown any remorse to, is indeed a good reason for the death penalty. I also really think about the families who are affected by these murders. How will they take it if they see the criminal going scathe free with only having to go through a few canings and a life prison sentence? This brings up the whole issue about “an eye for an eye”. Well, the only rebuke I can come for that is that I really feel that too much of attention is being placed on the death penalty issue. I mean, don’t we all want to live in a peaceful haven right here on Earth. Yes, as corny or as unfeasible as I may sound, this is what we all should fight to achieve. Are we really going to live comfortably when there is going to be at least one person per day who is going to be murdered??? Well, that’s what the situation is going to escalate into, if the everyone does not change his or her priorities.

The bottom line is that if we start thinking about fighting to attain total crime prevention, this whole issue will be blown to dust…. But then again, in today’s society where violence is continually being encouraged in the form of wars and terrorism, very few still believe that peace can guarantee them what they want… This is a dire issue we all must fight to change… the sooner the better…