Sarah's Thoughts
Flipping Over Death Penalty
I caught the end of Dead Man Walking on TV this afternoon. (I saw the movie in its entirety in the theater.) While the stance of its producer and stars … Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn … is known, I think the movie does an excellent job of making you feel for both sides of the debate on capital punishment.
This is an issue for which I have never reached a satisfactory resolution. When I see news stories about horrendous crimes done against children, I want to see the perpetrator removed from the planet. Sometimes I feel that I would offer my services on the firing squad. But, in other moments, I simply can’t see the point of the death penalty. What gives the state of Tennessee the right to take a life? This government can’t even develop a successful lottery scholarship program! I actually would have more understanding if a parent or other family member was driven to kill the person who kidnapped/abused/killed his child. Put me on the jury and I will vote to set that parent free every time!
I readily admit to flip-flopping on this issue. And, I’m not sure how I can ever put the spatula down and settle on a side.
February 3rd, 2007 at 10:22 am
Given their politics, you’re right that they do an outstanding job of presenting both sides of the debate.
If you are religious, I think the movie did a great job with the redempition issue. From what I saw in the film, you get an understanding that perhaps the only hope of redemption for someone like Sean Penn’s character, was for him to come face to face with his set time and place of death. Would he ever face another moment of such peace and clarity for which to deal with the issue? I guess we don’t know. But in that sense, his execution provides an opportunity that doubtful he would ever have otherwise. In this way, justice is charity.
Just a thought.
February 3rd, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Sarah, your solution is very simple. DO NOT put the spatula down, unless Nathan needs another beer!
You’ve been far too reasonable lately, when are you going to give me another ‘circus-type’ posting? I’m humor-deprived at the moment.
February 3rd, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Terry — Thanks for your comments. Your points gave me some food for thought.
Mark — Nathan is fully capable of retrieving his own adult beverages. And, if needed, I can actually hold a spatula (or a baby) and get him a beer at the same time. And, while bringing smiles to your life brings me great joy, I stand by my circus posting.
February 11th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Ah-Ha..
Very Interesting…
I used to be for the death Penalty and in addition was a victim of a sex crime. When I was working thru my “sexual violation” related
Issues : rage and anger were appropriate.
Now.
Years Later.
and having worked with Families affected by
crime.
and now working thr the prison system
with male offenders most of whom are incarcerated for violent offences. Some second degree manslaughter.
After having met the childen of these men.
The answer isn’t that cut and dry anymore for me.
As a Unitarian.
I had attended a talk from the defense of an man who is still on death row at the U.U church and while listening to this man’s story.
It was, to quote, from the movie ” Capote” as if he and i grew up in the same house only he went the the back door and I out the front door”
That was simply the seed in my change to becoming an advocate against the “Death Penalty”
d
February 12th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Oops.. sorry. that last Paragraph didn’t come out right..
Here’s the re-write:
I have, some time ago, attended a talk by the defense team and sponsered by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of a man who is still on death row .
This quote from the movie ” Capote” sums up my reaction to the talk,” it was as if he and i grew up in the same house only he went the the back door and I out the front door”
That was simply the seed in my change to becoming an advocate against the “Death Penalty”
d