Justices make key death penalty rulings

[sabbat hunter]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/06/12/scotus.death.ap/index.html


"The Supreme Court opened the door Monday to constitutional challenges to lethal injection, the method used by most states and the federal government to execute death row inmates.

In an unanimous decision, the court allowed those condemned to die to make last-minute claims that the chemicals used are too painful -- and therefore amount to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Constitution's Eighth Amendment."



could this be the ruling that leads to the end of the death penalty in the US?

[cagoldensun5050]

1. I hope so

[Ezlivin]

2. So are we going to finally enter the 21st century and act civilized?

It's good news to see that we're making some movement toward becoming a modern civilization.

Now if we can just shake off the influence of fundamentalism and embrace reason and logic...

[cyberpj]

3. REeee-ally.......?

That's a surprise.

[Cybergata]

5. To say the least!

I never would have expected this from the Justices we have on the bench at this time. Of course I am old enough to remember how many Nixon appointees surprised me once they were on the court.

[sabbat hunter]

8. the ones i am more surprised about

are scalia and thomas voting with the majority. you can never tell with new appointees how they will vote, but those two have been on the court a long time with well established records.

[cyberpj]

10. Hi cybergata.

You're the first other 'cyber' I've seen around here! :hi:

And I, too, and old enough to remember those Nixon appointees.

After thinking on this a while, maybe all the pro-life activity is bleeding into other areas?

Later.

[Cybergata]

15. CyberPeople

Not so long ago, it was cyber this and cyber that! Well maybe longer ago than I'm remembering. Now that I think about it, I've been cybergata for a long time. It is spookie how fast life happens. :hippie:

[Rose Siding]

4. The court was following O'Conner's precedent

But this is good news.

[gaspee]

6. I'm anti death penalty

In all circumstances. But, if we're going to administer the death penalty, why aren't the same drugs used to put down dogs used?

About two years ago, I had to put down my 14 year old dog. She didn't suffer at all. I held her as she took her last breath (then cried for days afterward and am tearing up thinking about it now.)

I hope they declare it cruel and unusual so the death mongers will be thwarted, but I don't understand why it's not painful for dogs, but it is for people.

Obviously, I am not a doctor.

I understand why people, evn some progressives, are pro death penalty, but I don't agree.

[lfairban]

12. I think you got that backward.

. . . but I don't understand why it's not painful for dogs, but it is for people.

I remember hearing that the drugs that some states us in lethal injection are considered inappropriate for use on animals. The contention is that they only prevent the person (or animal) from manifesting their discomfort, therefore they appear to die quietly when actually the are conscious while suffocating to death.

I was once chocked by a police officer (while handcuffed) until I passed out. It is not exactly pain, but it is more uncomfortable than I hope you can imagine.

[Ms. Toad]

13. The first drug used is a paralyzing agent.

Because of this there would be no outward signs of pain or terror because there would is no way for the person (or animal) to express that pain.

They have outlawed this drug combination (in some if not all places) because of the extreme cruelty associated with the occurrence of death - which looks peaceful but is both painful and terrifying (from what I understand).

[Nevernose]

14. Vets stopped using the human drugs a few years back b/c it was painful

Vets stopped using the human drugs a few years back b/c it was painful for the animal. They've switched to painless, humane drugs to put animals down now, an argument I suspect had something to do with the court's decision.

[BR_Parkway]

7. It would be rude of me to suggest the newest member of the court should

volunteer to personally determine if those injections are too painful for the benefit of his fellow Justices knowledge. I mean, saying that would make me so like Republican Spokesperson Ann Coulture or Bill Bennett.

[jobycom]

9. You shouldn't say such things

no matter how amusing they are. It would be rude of me not to point that out.

[reprobate]

11. I wonder how they'd feel about life in solitary?

Not to ever be able to speak with another human being? That would be the most cruel punishment.

Man is a social animal. To remove him from any human interaction would be true punishment but should be reserved only for the most attrocious crimes.

It would be worse punishment than the death penalty and would last much longer to satisfy out sick society's thirst for revenge.

[saigon68]

16. Ask Fundies RE: satisfy sick society's thirst for revenge.

Those people love a good hanging

Or in the case of WHITE Fundies A "GOOD LYNCHING".