[congressman]

Congressman I hear what your saying and I agree with you to a point. Any innocent man that gets put to death is a tragedy that no ammount of dollars can fix but with the technology we have today, a man put on death row is guilty beyond doubt.

Moral issues I understand as well. But let me ask you this. Where is the morals for a system that allows a child molester back out onto the streets to do his crime over again? To me that is as bad as the crime itself. Where is the morals of a system that lets a murderer who kills someone out of cold blood out of jail after only a few years?
NO. These people who commit these crimes forfeit their lives when they become inhuman. Society has no place for people who rape and muder a child or who rob and kill for nothing more than pennies. The death penalty is def needed in this world.

First off, let me make it clear. I didn't in any way, shape, or form endorse the current criminal system. But since you brought it up, I will.

The fact is, that I agree with you that its wrong to put someone on the street after a few years in prison for such a horrific crime. However, with that said, I do think its possible that crimes of passion be judged with leinancy on a case by case basis. Even a premeditated incident such as, a mother who kills a man who molested her mentally retarded son, while not acceptable to me, is at least a bit understandable. These cases should be reviewed and lighter sentences permitted. These are crimes of passion, and although done out of love and hate, also done for what they truly percieve as a justifiable reason, and is acceptable to a large portion of the population. I don't condone this behavior in ANY way, but I do understand it. Otherwise, all murderers should be given life sentences without parole for a minimum of 20-30 years.

I would also like to say that I believe in the possibility of rehabilitation, and second chances. I personally was given a second chance at life, and I took it and ran with it. And I'm where I am today because of that. I suppose that I should thank God more often for the believers who saw me through.

I'm also going to question your ability to assure me that 'new technology' eliminates the risk of the death penalty for the innocent. This simple explanation does nothing to ease my mind, and I highly doubt that its based on facts. CSI is only a show. The fact is, a simple google search will bring up lists of people released over the last 20 years from death row, some only days or hours from execution. One Johnathan Huffman of North Carolina was exonerated when his cousin admitted to lying on the stand (he was the states key witness), to get back at his cousin for stealing money from him. What would have happened, had his cousin not admitted his lie?? These kinda things happen. Its not even a matter open to debate. And the sad part is, they occur most often to those who are poor, and/or of minority status. Your lawyers matters a great deal as well... Further, there are trials where no body, or murder weapon was found. Yet, based on circumstancial evidence, the defendent was convicted. And I'm not saying they were innocent, and more often than not, they're guilty. But the fact is, these are things that must be looked at. "New technology" is too simple of an answer, and what seems to be a quick way to make a point without explaining yourself. What technologies do you speak of?

I'm very passionate about this issue. More so than most others. I just typically stay away from the topic.. tonight, I could not do so.

Finally, I'd like to point out that I haven't always felt this way on this matter. I once, and not long ago at all (about 2 years or so) was an absolute radical on the death penalty. I believed in it as much as Bill Clinton did (he oversaw the passage of a bill expanding those eligible for the death penalty, including non-violent offenders such as drug dealers. It also included crimes other crimes not involving murder, such as rape.) He was the most pro-death president this nation has ever seen.. and I made him look like Ghandi. So I urge each and everyone of you, on this issue and others... be willing to change your mind, and do research for that specific reason. I like to dive into a topic with the idea that i'm willing to change, and with the intention to research reasons why I should... its not always about strengthening your current belief, although even with the method I just described, you'll often do so.