Jen, I gotta say I agree with you on that one.

I had no idea before today, though, that this kind of ruling was this recent (2002).

I'm very, very uncomfortable with the idea of a government invested with the power to kill its own citizens legally.

I am assuming you're also against a government invested with the power to legally kill people not holding its citizenship, right?

Oh, absolutely. Sorry, I should have said 'residents'.

Or, you know, 'anyone.' Because I'm uncomfortable with the idea of a government that can kill anyone and call it legal.

The only times I am absolutely pro-death penalty, is in the case of anyone who does anything sexual with children. Molesting, rape, anything. You have any sort of sexual contact with a child (under the age of say 14), you get shot. Period.

you get shot

Not to side-track the discussion, but did you truly intend death by firing squad with that statement or would you be ok with lethal injection? I don't really have a point, I'm just curious if people make a distinction between methods of (quick) execution (i.e. up to but not including burning, draw-and-quartering, drowning, etc.).

Honestly, I really don't care. As long as they are removed from society.

Also, I'd like to do bad things to parents who kill their own children. Maybe not kill them, per se (with the exception of Susan Smith). But maybe sterilized.

Ever since having Em, I am completely unable to be objective on crimes against children because I see her face on every victim.

I am in the anti-death penalty camp. One of the reasons is this kind of case. All these fine lines that have to be drawn and earased and redrawn.

Just like diabetes , high blood pressure - we are constantly changing what mental retardation means. Or how old someone has to be to be held responsible for their actions.

If you went to a prision and just met a number of criminals, your most likey impression would be 'criminals are stupid' . ( ok, depending on whic h prision it might be 'criminals are scary') ( I have stolen DH's experience here) Most likely - the percentage of people in prison with Atkins level of intelligence is high. Honestly, this suggests to me that it is harder to find your place in this world if you are below average.

If I pretend that execution is an acceptable punishment, then the lines need to be drawn evenly. An equation,of sorts.( I tried to illustrate, but I couldn't) I am guessing under those circumstances , Atkins would be eligble for execution. and there would be more than there are.

Having read up on the Atkins case, yep. Cruel and unusual. And in general, I am NOT pro-death penalty.

Aimee I just can't support executing anyone. No exceptions.

Ok.