I guess I'll write my bit about the Timothy McVeigh execution. Personally, I have mixed feelings about the death penalty. I really don't know if anyone should be put to death, but what he did is probably as good a reason as any to be put to death. He killed 168 innocent people. If I killed 168 people, I would expect the death penalty, especially if I didn't show any remorse.
I noticed that a few think he was executed for what he believed in. That may be partly true, but I tend to think he wasn't executed for what he believed in, he was executed for how he demonstrated what he believed in. Maybe deep in his heart he thought he was doing the right thing but, if he felt such strong contempt for the United States Government, he could have easily gotten his point across by destroying the building at night when it was empty. Martin Luther King, Jr. got his point across peacefully; Timothy McVeigh could have as well. In my opinion, the only problem I have with the death penalty (or with any verdict) is the fact that the punishment can vary substantially from person to person. Why one person gets the death penalty and another doesn't is beyond me. I guess every case has special circumstances. I do feel that if Timothy McVeigh was put to death, so should the person that helped him -- Terry Nichols.
I can't begin to comprehend how the victim's families feel. I'm sure some of them are glad he was executed, and even some had probably forgiven him. Other people would rather see him sit in jail for the rest of his life, but what people forget is the fact that prisons use YOUR tax dollars to take care of these inmates. How nice. While some people are struggling to make a living, a convict gets to have a roof over his head, physical exercise, a clean bed to sleep in, showers, and 3 hot meals a day for free. I don't even eat three meals a day! I do know this: if he were to kill my brother or one of my family members, it would be very hard for me to keep myself from killing him. People expect the issue of the death penalty to be as clear as "black and white", but the person who believes that needs to realize there are some shades of gray in everything. Those same people would probably sing a different tune if it was their blood.
posted by Mike
on 6/13/2001 01:57:53 PM |
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