CT to repeal the death penalty

[politicus]

One more step toward complete abolition in the States!

Yes, even if its mostly symbolic

[politicus]

The chances that CA voters repeal the death penalty are not too bad actually.

The ballot language will probably include "and replace it with life imprisonment without the chance of parole".

And the latest Field poll shows:

48% life without parole
40% death penalty

http://field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2393.pdf

And as you can see from the historical poll results, support for life without parole is steadily increasing.

If you think California voters will repeal the death penalty, you're crazy.

Why? The polls are favorable.

[politicus]

Unborn do not kill people.

Unborn is not a part of society.

Are people on death row part of society?

Uhhh...
Yes?

How so?  They seem fairly isolated from society to me.

A prison is a part of society - even if it is a rather secluded part of it. Everyone that interacts with other people are part of society. Inmates do write letters, receives visits and talk to guards, lawyers, priests etc.

[politicus]

I'm going to repeal my policy to run over all children I see anywhere near the road.  Doesn't matter I've never implemented it, ever, but I'll repeal it.  Will you love me now? 

Seriously, this is just a f[inks]ing show.

Sometimes symbolic acts do matter. I think this is one of them.

[politicus]

Wait, are people here claiming that vengeance is not a valid foundation of the justice system? I would argue it is the only sensible (and, yes, rational foundation).

What else would be the purpose of the justice system?

Justice?

True, but thats a highly abstract concept and closely related to revenge. Generally as a victim you feel that justice has been served, if your offender is punished hard enough to satisfy your thirst for revenge. Preventing people from taking revenge themselves by punishing the offender hard enough to satisfy the victims (and his familys) thirst for vengance is a central part of the justice system.