Date sent: Wed, 02 Dec 1998 20:27:06 -0800 From: Paul Hughes <planetp@aci.net> Organization: Planet P To: extropians@extropy.com Subject: Re: Escaping Planet of the Apes: was [MEDIA] Chicago Suntime's death penalty poll Send reply to: extropians@extropy.com
> "Joe E. Dees" wrote:
>
> > Most death penalty opponents have never had a family member
> > murdered; the change in their opinions that occurs when this
> > happens is remarkable. And just exactly how would you rehabilitate
> > a Ted Bundy, or a Jeffrey Dahmer, or a John Wayne Gacy? Joe
> > >
>
> Surprise! I used to be a supporter of the Death Penalty until I read Robert Anton's Wilson's Book
> "Cosmic Trigger" in which he adamantly opposed the death penalty for the person who killed his
> daughter. Consequently, one of my closest friends also argued to spare the life of a person
> convicted of killing his Fiancé.
>
> However, your observation is *not* remarkable at all. I highly suspect that most people who are
> against the death penalty will change sides as soon as one of their own is murdered. This is not
> proof of their rationality, only proof that they are operating on a primitive emotional-terretorial
> circuit's need for vengeance.
>
> I agree with Michael Lorrey, that a "well armed society is a polite society" - that's why I own two
> guns myself. Lets be clear about one thing, I am against state sponsored executions, but I
> strongly support the the right of an individual to defend themselves by any means necessary. One is
> done for irrational vengeance, the other is done as a matter of immediate survival.
>
>
> Paul Hughes
>