1. Philosophically I'm pro-choice. I also see the practical aspect of providing legal services in order to pre-empt a much more dangerous black market system. I don't judge people who've made the choice. Except for my aunt, who had two abortions but remains a rabid and very vocal social conservative. And even then, I don't begrudge her her choices, I just resent her hypocrisy. However. I couldn't imagine having a hand in making that choice in regards to my own family. Just couldn't do it. 2. Not keen on capital punishment, for the following reasons: A) the whole "more expensive to society than life in prison" thing. B) Not clear if it actually works as a deterrent. C) I don't believe in the notion of justice as an eye for an eye. I believe in justice as a restoration of balance. There's a difference. Not many things worse than taking a life. But killing a murderer doesn't restore the life lost, it just adds a tally mark to the side of the dead. In a just system, the response to loss of life would be, what, an addition of something of equal or greater value to the world. That's pretty philosophically nebulous, but there you go. Here's an example of what I mean: http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/i-would-like-you-to-know-my-nam/Content?oid=9434642 And then: http://proxy.bellstrike.com/about I heard an interview w/ Hopper a few months ago on our local NPR affiliate. She displayed not only strength and bravery on a level I know I wouldn't be capable of, but also an overwhelming amount of empathy for other victims, her partner, her assailant's family, and even her assailant. She took something unspeakably horrible, and she leveraged it into a social movement for healing. She's sort of a superhero in my book. Anyhow. I'm not convinced that capital punishment can provide that level of justice, or any level of justice. There are exceptions- only one I can think of right now is in the case of I dunno a serial killer- in which case maybe cap punishment is as much a service to the killer as it is to the survivors of his deeds. Still not even sure about that, though. Man, you're going straight to the heavy stuff tonight. What ever happened to pubski. Think it's implied in your post, TNG, but where do you stand on these matters more specifically?
As for capital punishment, here it is less ambiguous for me. I am very much opposed to capital punishment, if nothing else than for human error. One innocent life isn't worth it. Period. Wrong place, wrong time has happened too many times to be funny anymore. Plus, it really ins't a deterrent and it's somewhat of an easy way out. If you are guilty of murder, rape or any other heinous crime then I think you ought to do HARD time. Not death, but rather a pretty miserable existence. That, to me, is more just. This way there is retribution and the chance for the innocent to receive exoneration.Think it's implied in your post, TNG, but where do you stand on these matters more specifically?
Well, the first one has been a moving target as I have gained perspective. I used to be unapologetically pro choice, but as I've grown older I've realized that (for me) it's not so simple. I have no idea where the legal definition of "life" should be drawn, but I know that there is a point at which it makes me uncomfortable and it's certainly not after birth. I think that the morning after pill is an awesome thing, but I think that traditional abortions are something that should be considered a last resort and not a birth control method. -But that's just me and I'm not in any way suggesting that my views should be law. I think it really is a personal choice that a woman has to make. I just would hope she'd chose life. My mom was 17 when I was conceived. My guess is that she had people suggest that she abort the pregnancy. My guess is that she considered it (I would have if I were her). I'm very grateful she didn't. We were poor, it was difficult for her but she did a fine job considering.
Agree w/ everything (including the conflicted opinions) but: Think that punishment is only just if that's the treatment that corrects the views/behaviors of the punished. If not, isn't it just glorified revenge? Not saying that I have a viable alternative to rough prison terms, but it still doesn't feel like justice. There was a piece a couple(?) years ago about Anders Breivik, how he's being held under conditions so humane they almost seem like a joke. Really mad when I read about it the first time, but the more I think about it, the more incredible it feels to me- to meet such seething hatred with such care and consideration. Seems like the ultimate refutation to all that he stood for.If you are guilty of murder, rape or any other heinous crime then I think you ought to do HARD time.
Let me preface this response by saying... damn I'm tired and have to go to bed, but these conversations are damned fun to have and thus I'm up way past my bedtime. But "yes" it is revenge at a point. "Hard time" is certainly subjective but it's the opposite of "soft time" in which inmates watch movies, tv, play games etc. Guess what? You rape and kill people and you no longer get such pleasures in life. Are you chained to a wall and whipped? No. But you're not watching Breaking Bad etc either. It has to hurt some or it's no deterrent at all. It's not a punishment. Your a dad, you get that the minute the punishment doesn't fit the crime, they'll start sneaking food from the fringe all day long... Good night pal.
Hah, I'll respond tomorrow and give you a chance to get some shuteye.
Haven't forgotten about this just been swamped. Reminder more for my own sake...