False.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3472872.html

I believe, in the 1800s in Maine we hanged an innocent man...badly. Shortly thereafter DP was eliminated in Maine, but I can't find any documented info on this.

Bzzz wrong answer. There have been innocent people executed. Do a quick websearch for the Innocence Project and you'll find the correct number.

um.... here It is often claimed that 23 innocents have been executed in the US since 1900. Nonsense. Even the authors of that "23 innocents executed" study proclaimed "We agree with our critics, we never proved those (23) executed to be innocent; we never claimed that we had." While no one would claim that an innocent has never been executed, there is no proof of an innocent executed in the US, at least since 1900.

I never said it never happened, I said there has never been a documented case (meaning proof). Suspicion by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Innocence Project does not constitute proof (except to Comp Guy and BF).

Would it be ok with everyone if I just stab myself in the eyes with a mechanical pencil rather than get involved in this argument?

No, you must get involved

Ok, I will revert back to the texas article. (btw, I support the DP)


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3472872.html

well at least the debate is not about the death penalty itself, but whether or not lethal injection is too painful. I think it is utah that still has a firing squad listed as one of their DP procedures, all states could just revert to that.(well those with the DP)

It's very difficult to get someone to continue the process of trying to prove their innocence after you've killed them. Even bringing an action on their behalf is difficult because courts usually won't hear cases if they consider them to be moot.

I dont really care if it is too painful. They are dying people - why should they go peacefully?

queen bee, but the constitution protects against cruel and unusual punishment. and they are trying to resolve this exact issue i believe.

you are right but what is the death penalty? As you can see many feel that alone is cruel and unusual punishment.

constitution shmonstitution... lets all just get blazed and sing kumbayah....

I would think some of the other forms would be more painful

maybe the form where we do to them what they did to their victim.. I am partial to that.

I think the firing squad is the ideal execution method -- it's cheap, simple, and should result in the quickest death (considering you have sharpshooters aiming at a stationary target at close range).

good question...
about as useful as:
what is death?
What is penalty?
What is cruel?
What is unusual?
what is an analgesic?
Why are rainbows good?

if only this utopia were true.

well, this is a matter of jurisprudence: the court has decided to solve a comparatively narrow issue rather than the whole kit and caboodle.

Momentary Thread Hijack...

If you've ever had a kid ask one of those questions, you should read "Father Knows Less Or: "Can I Cook My Sister?": One Dad's Quest to Answer His Son's Most Baffling Questions" by Wendell Jamieson

Is there a non-cruel way to end someone's life if not by lethal injection?

Sicilian hooker-applied death by constriction.

so you think this court is going to go beyond the scope of the actual issue at hand: the cruel and unusual nature of this particular method of death? sure it could happen, but what of this court's recent jurisprudence makes you think that?

I did not mention the court at all. I asked you.