MTB: Ending The Death Penalty---Myth Vs. Reality (W/ Actor/Activist Mike Farrell) &...

[ihavenobias]

Run time: 26:32 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCL1rS6awUo   Posted on YouTube: December 13, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: December 13, 2008 By DU Member: ihavenobias Views on DU: 849

 
If you have a slow connection and or you want to read more about the Death Penalty (and how you can get involved), .

MTB is put out by Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films (the man behind , and ) and the past shows section is packed with awesome guests including Rachel Maddow, Michael Moore, John Cusack, Darcy Burner, Arianna Huffington, David Sirota, Bernie Sanders, Nancy Pelosi and more.

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[20score]

1. K&R. Keep fighting the good fight, Mike Farrell.

[proud progressive]

2. my 2 cents before i watch all of this

there are many 'reasons' why some societies use the death penalty - deterrence, justice, vengeance, etc. there is only one good reason for not using it - killing an innocent man. THAT is one powerful reason, but i'm still not sure what side i take.

[grantdevine]

8. If you can spare 20 minutes you should listen to this:

http://soundportraits.org/on-air/witness_to_an_execution/

It is a radio documentary made up of comments by those who work at the Walls unit in Huntsville Texas.

If you can listen to that, and then tell me there's "only on good reason for not using it" I will be very surprised.

[Seldona]

3. K&R

Great show! Mike Farrell is an amazing guy imo. I love watching his interviews.

I am glad they addressed the issue of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Like Mr. Farrell said it is a issue of public safety, and I support that. I don't think anyone doubts there are sociopaths and psychopaths who are incapable of living safely in society.

But at least they have a chance to prove otherwise with a life sentence. Barry Schreck may be notorious for the OJ case, but his Innocence Project has proved far to many people sentenced to die were innocent for me to ever support the death penalty. And he is just one example. There are many others who weren't so lucky.

[ihavenobias]

4. IMO life in prison is a fate far worse than death. n/t

[Seldona]

5. There is that, yes. Even many inmates agree.

But at the point you are convicted it really ceases to be about 'you,' you know? It then becomes encumbant upon society to deal with the problem in the most humane way possible. I know I would prefer life to death. Then again I am not facing a life sentence.

But at some point society, after all due process and with respect to the accused rights, should have the right to protect itself imo. Maybe not life, but a long, long, time.

I am talking about really violent criminals here, not college kids caught with a baggie of weed.

[ihavenobias]

6. Have you ever watched the MSNBC show "lock-up"?

It's their highest rated show. I don't watch it regularly, but every once in a while I watch a little. And every time I do I think "that's a fate worse than death".

[Seldona]

7. I have, as well as many dramatic representations.

Here in Wisconsin Jeffery Dahmer was killed shortly after joining general population. Just goes to show there is NO safety behind bars. Even gaurds develop a certain mentality that is unhealthy to human life after a time.

Imagine living in a small city of people with no hope, and nothing to lose. Bleak.

[izquierdista]

13. Really a vile, foul show

It satisfies a lust for vengeance in Americans that rivals the compassion the crowds at the Coliseum had for the gladiators. What is especially repugnant is seeing an inmate who got sent there for some lesser felony and then, while in prison, came under the culture of violence, committed a murder, and turned his 5 year sentence into life without parole.

[grantdevine]

9. What is your point?

That's an interesting opinion, but are you saying that is a reason to continue killing people?

[ihavenobias]

10. My point is really for people who are completely in favor of the death penalty

They have a "those bastards deserve whatever they get!" attitude. Well, if their goal is to truly give the worst (legal) punishment, I'm arguing that they should in fact be against the death penalty because it's actually the easy (easier, not easy) way out.

I thought that was obvious considering I posted a video that discussed ending the death penalty. :)

[grantdevine]

11. Gotcha. I think it's a dangerous route to take though..

Getting rid of it should be predicated upon the serious societal problem it represents.

If we start to predicate it upon the idea that some criminals would rather be killed than locked up for life, then the basis for getting rid of it is blurred and weakened, imo.

[ihavenobias]

12. Well, I was just being honest.

I personally DO think it's a fate worse than death. Also, unfortunately many of the reasonable arguments against the death penalty (the cost, wrongful convictions, etc.) simply don't get through to death penalty proponents.

Some of them ONLY care about vengeance and punishment, so convincing them that life in prison is worse might be the only thing that convinces them.