I’ve always been ok with the death penalty. From my personal perspective, I think some people do things that are a forfeiture of their humanity and deserve to be put down. I’d even add certain pedophiles to the list.

From a civics perspective, I’ve changed my mind.

1/

I don’t feel people should act out vengeance through gov. Once someone is detained and the danger is mitigated, I don’t think there’s a purpose to killing them. It doesn’t stop crime nor unvictimize their victim.

The process is a contrived pantomime of our supposed civility.

2/

I remember the election of ‘88 and Dukakis losing public support largely due to his unwavering aversion to it; W. Horton didn’t help.

For a society that prides itself on its Christian mores, the ridicule extended towards his faithful belief is ironically sad.

3/

I believe our social obsession with punishment and vengeance corrupts us. Not just with the death penalty; it seeks new venues for us to put people down to elevate ourselves.

The lack of compassion makes a culture cold, harsh, and disloyal to its ideals and values.

4/

The one caveat I would extend is for people who use gov to commit atrocities against its people and humanity at large.

And maybe certain types of pedophiles because them.

5/5