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Politics : Long Live The Death Penalty! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Bill who wrote (207)	1/14/2003 12:57:05 PM
From: LPS5	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 828

Sure; if knowledge of the death penalty deters one murder, it's a deterrent. And so would carrying a pastic toy gun, blasting the attacker in the eyes with mace, hanging garlic around ones' neck, etc., ad absurdum, be deterrents if a murder is by virtue of such deterred. In the latter cases, furthermore, immense power isn't ceded to the mistake-inclined state. What's your point? That question doesn't answer this question: Message 18442482 LPS5

To: Bill who wrote (207)	1/14/2003 1:12:32 PM
From: louisebaltimore	Respond to of 828

I think terms need to be clarified here. "Deter" implies that the potential murderer makes the decision not to commit the crime because of fear of the consequences. "de·ter (click to hear the word) (d-tûr) v. de·terred, de·ter·ring, de·ters v. tr. To prevent or discourage from acting, as by means of fear or doubt: "Does negotiated disarmament deter war?" (Edward Teller). See Synonyms at dissuade. v. intr. To prevent or discourage the occurrence of an action, as by means of fear or doubt: "It's this edge that gives nuclear weapons their power to deter" (Thomas Powers)." When you execute a convicted murderer so as to prevent him from murdering again, you are being "pre-emptive." Did YOU see Minority Report?? ;>)