I'm not talking in circles.
Human life is more valuable than Animal life.
You've already admitted as much.

This isn't even an argument.

I'd like for Micjones to address this point.

The argument is not whether or not the death penalty should exist or not. There are certainly valid arguments for both sides of this issue and he isn't likely going to be swayed from his stance.

The real question is; given that The State of Missouri does employ the death penalty as a means of punishment, why should this guy's life be spared?

I am for using the death penalty sparingly but I am for the death penalty. I also see the death penalty as justice, not deterence. Without fully researching this case, he looks like a candidate to me. Our current justice system is so slanted to protecting the accused that the victims suffer a second time. I realize that innocent people have been executed but most cases cited are many years ago when investigation and evidence were much inferior to now. With today's technology (DNA etc) the # of innocent executions are basically nil. When there are questions or uncertainty, thats what life without parole is for. And to borrow a liberal arguement for many things and use itfor deterence, if it stops even 1 murder, wouldn't it be worth it. I also feel that life without parole is more cruel and inhumane than the DP.

I can't set aside my personal feelings about the death penalty simply because the State of Missouri employs it. I believe the death penalty should not exist. That tempers my entire argument.

Punishing cold blooded murderers is the same as slavers or land stealers?

:shake::rolleyes::doh!:

I was addressing the idea that having compassion for Human life is somehow a bad thing for America.

one would think that severe punishment for crime would serve as a deterrent. although i'm not a big fan of the death penalty i'm not opposed to it. but i do have a hard time understanding the defense of someone who callously and cruelly kills someone for whatever reason save self-defense.
i know this guy didn't pull the trigger, but from reading the court records it seems that he prolly would have if he had the gonads to. i feel for him and his family, but there has to be a time where people realize there are consequences for their actions.
maybe i look at things a little different, but if i think my life would be required of me if i'm involved in a crime that involves murder or i commit one, i think i'd make a few different choices.
i could be wrong again, but it seems the coddling of criminals and the lack of severe punishment partly fuels violent crime. most thugs prolly know they could plea to manslaughter or murder two and have a chance at parole in 7 yr.

Having compassion for Human life is not a bad thing for innocent human life.

Nice sidestep.

If you want to abolish the death penalty, then by all means, do whatever is in your power as a citizen of this state to do so.

The bottom line is, the death penalty is a form of punishment in Missouri. Does this guy fit the criteria or not? Yes or no.

Who said anything about slavery and land stealing? I agree with it, if they had something to fear do you really think that they wouldn't take a second thought about it.

Lets put a face with the name. He looks like an upstanding young man to me:

Yes.

And I would argue that so do many other people who've run afoul of the law.
Now are you prepared to argue that the application of the death penalty is equitable?

Exactly what I was prying out.

Humans can't digest grass or dive to 5,000 feet. Reasoning is just another trait, and it's egotistic to presume that it's a better trait. Cattle probably laugh at us for that.

When you run out of options in an argument. Throw slavery around. Works everytime.....If your name is Sharpton.