Hangin’ Time
By Alan Kleinfeld, 1-03-07
While dining on eggs benedict this morning at a nearby diner, I watched a muted TV as CNN’s viewing of Saddam Hussein’s hanging aired for all to see. They showed all of it except the final seconds, the coup de gras.I don’t know how I managed to keep my hollandaise and Canadian bacon down, but instead of being upset by the image I began to think how it would affect crime in the US if sentencing like Saddam’s was carried out in this country for those that commit the most heinous of crimes.
From conviction to death, it took only 56 days to do Saddam in. Unheard of, right? But in some strange way I feel the system worked in this case. Imagine how things would change here if we applied the same rules. Especially in NewWest territory, where it often feels like Old West law governs.
It may be a bit too Old Testament, too eye-for-an-eye, but if we convicted, sentenced and executed serial rapists, child molesters and murderers in less than two month’s time, would it be more of a deterrent and prevent criminals from committing crimes? It’s an old debate, but now that we’re seeing capital punishment in action on network TV, it might be worth reexamining.
I’ve always thought that a horrible act deserves a horrible punishment, but I know that in our current judicial system it may take years, literally, for someone to begin paying restitution for the crimes he or she has committed. If nothing else, using the Saddam method of trials would certainly help clear up the log jam of cases in US courts (and that in and of itself is worth something).
And what about all that DNA stuff? In some cases, a convicted criminal is later found innocent by DNA evidence. With DNA evidence that proves guilt taken into consideration within that 56-day period would it reduce crime here?
I’m all for giving it a shot. I somehow suspect that if you knew your hanging would show up on YouTube (and shown 24/7 on Fox News) for the entire globe to see, you might have second thoughts about committing your crime. Come on, how embarrassed would you be to have your noose used as a punch line on Jay Leno?
But what about all the crazies, all those that claim insanity as a plea? I think most people would agree that Saddam Hussein was a nut job. A dictator mentality, he probably thought his Supreme Being placed him in that role. It was his right to kill whomever he wished, right? I say if it can’t be cured with a good dose of electroshock therapy then the 56-day plan for execution applies.
And if an execution is too inhumane, let’s just lobotomize ‘em and stick ‘em in a three by three cell and let them drool their lives away. It’ll save a ton on jail real estate and be a lot cheaper to care for them.
In the end, I think Saddam probably got what he deserved. Would the system that judged Saddam work in America? Hard to say. I’m all for a trial period and then opening it up to discussion on Larry King.
[End of article]
I have always maintained that predators, like child rapists, and pedophiles, should be strung up between 2 poles in the dessert, ( or the mall will do for a showing... that tar throws some nasty heat) covered with honey or molasses, and left for mother nature. Come back in 2 weeks and sweep up the bones!
Since it has been shown that they are Incurable! Case Closed!
HHG= Hot Honey Gallows will deter the most heinous I believe, esp. if they are to be featured on youtube or leno!
<sigh> Spectacularizing executions almost always increases the number of homicides. You could look it up, but I suspect that wouldn't make you feel as hopeful. If you want to kill people to make the world a better place, why not get a job with the Bush administration? Obviously, they'll hire just about anyone with strong convictions to simple answers, no fear of embarrassing themself, and absolute loyalty. Good luck!
Comment By KC, 1-04-07It Was Tongue in Cheek! Geez!
Comment By kc, 1-04-07However, Just what do you suppose we do with pedophiles?
Since they need it, ( to abuse kids) like we need air. Maybe let the taxpayers pay for their room and board for life? That will work.
Give them a pass and "hope" they dont hurt anyone else? We need to get serious about this. Irregardless of how prolife we may be, there needs to be a line in the sand. Our prisons are full as it is.
No more passes....lock people up until we can be reasonably certain they won't reoffend. We need more cops, more courtrooms, more judges, more prison cells. Fewer offenders in circulationmeans fewer crimes and fewer broken lives. We also need to keep trying to find out what makes bad people tick, so we can try to prevent future generations of perpetrators and victims.
YES.....all of this costs money, but its money that will be spent anyway by the victims and the rest of us who support them. Better that the cost of a real remedy be borne by those best able to afford it. The prevalent idea that the government will waste any additional revenue is a canard spread by those with the highest concentration of wealth....those whose income tax burden has fallen by half since the Eisenhower administration.
Or, we could just charge it to our FutureCard, like we do everything else. But the problem won't go away by itself, and only a serious effort will make the difference that's needed. We owe it to our children, don't we?