How can you oppose abortion, but support the death penalty?

Question

Remember:

-More than 90% of abortions are done in the first 12 weeks (the fetus isn't even viable).

-An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind

-There are some innocent men on death row

Answer 1

For many people these are separate issues.  However, the risk of executing innocent people should concern everyone.  As of today, 129 people on death row have been exonerated. Only 16 of these cases involved DNA. DNA is available in less than 10% of all homicides, can’t guarantee we won’t execute innocent people.  I oppose the death penalty, and I believe the facts are on our side. Here are some additional facts about the death penalty, sources below.

The death penalty doesn't prevent others from committing murder. No reliable study shows the death penalty deters others. Homicide rates are higher in states and regions that have it than in those that don’t.

Life without parole, on the books in 48 states, also prevents  reoffending. It means what it says, and spending 23 of 24 hours a day locked in a tiny cell is not a picnic. Life without parole costs less than the death penalty.

The death penalty is much more expensive than life in prison, mostly because of the upfront costs of legal process which is supposed to prevent executions of innocent people. (upfront=before and during the initial trial)

The death penalty isn't reserved for the worst crimes, but for defendants with the worst lawyers. It doesn't apply to people with money. When is the last time a wealthy person was on death row, let alone executed?

The death penalty doesn't necessarily help families of murder victims. Murder victim family members have testified that the drawn-out death penalty process is painful for them and that life without parole is an appropriate alternative.

Problems with speeding up the process. Over 50 of the innocent people released from death row had already served over a decade. Speed up the process and we will execute innocent people.

Sources:

Death Penalty Information Center, www.deathpenaltyinfo.org,  for stats on executions, reports on costs, deterrence studies, links to FBI crime stats and links to testimony (at state legislatures) of victims' family members.

FBI   http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2006/data/tab...  

The Innocence Project, www.innocenceproject.org

http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/COcostte... page 3 and 4 on why the death penalty is so expensive

http://www.njadp.org/forms/signon-surviv... for statements of victims’ families

Answer 2

The unborn baby has never murdered anyone and is completely innocent.  What did they do to deserve the death penalty?

As far as the death penalty goes, I have very mixed feelings on this issue.  Our justice system is not fair and not administered fairly.  The rich have the best defense and the poor are lucky to have an overworked public defender.  Because of these issues, I am very hesitant to support the death penalty.  If we had a fair system where the poor were given the same representation and opportunity for expert witnesses and testing, then I would support the death penalty for those who have murdered innocent people.  I would support this not to punish the guilty but to prevent them from killing more innocent people.

The protection of society's most vulnerable people is our highest calling as a society and this certainly includes the innocent both born and unborn.

Answer 3

Though i am viciously pro choice, as I think all males, especially who havent had a kid, gotten married, etc. yet, should be, you can.  

I think the most valid argument would be that a fetus, viable as not, has not been given the chance to even try to become viable, be raised, and make decisions.  someone sentenced to death, has, has time to make and think on decisions, yet makes horribly wrong ones anyway.  

Also, though a few innocent people may die through the death sentence, many more convicted criminals who have repeat offenses have any more chances taken away.

I am not trying to say i encourage abortion, but again.  If someone's quality of life is affected by the time and person they are born to, and it can happen even when precautions are made, I cant choose for the person what to do.

Answer 4

How can you support abortion, but oppose the death penalty?

More people get killed from released felons committing murder again than Innocent people on death row and with DNA technology that is becoming an obsolete complaint.

Its expensive but they can take care of the fetus at almost any point in its stage, they have been grown before and were used in stem cell researched, hence the reason why many Christians were against it.

I don't care a whole lot about abortions but I am a stanch supporter of the death penalty

Answer 5

If a perfectly healthy young girl chooses abortion, I believe she should not have abortion as an option at all, and that the child should by law, be placed with first; other members of her family, or second; a non related, loving and deserving family,

On the other hand, there are cases in abortion where the pregnancy is not wanted because of rape or sexually transmitted diseases that could pass to the infant. In that case, I think it is better to take the fetus's life rather than force the baby to live sickly?  What if the parent decides to make the child suffer on life support because she can't let go?  In this case, I believe abortions are the right way to go. I also do not believe that once a pregnancy term duration is after a month or two, that they should be allowed to go terminate a birth. It should be done early, before the baby has a mind and can feel pain.  A child prone to disease and illness, I believe it is a wise choice to let him/her go, if the doctor advises.  However, if a chld is born with Down Syndrome, or some other kind of cell malformation, this is not reason enough to terminate his/her life.

The death penalty is a completely different matter.  I believe that if a man continues to kill, that is, more than once, unless he was protecting himself, he should be put to death.  If a person gets the death penalty, there is probable cause why these men/women are on death row.  I personally do not agree with the death penalty, but why hold onto a man for two life sentences and feed and clothe him?  He will not know how to live if and when he gets out, so what is the point of keeping him?   I would think he'd be ready to die anyway.  Have you watched the movie "Shawshank Redemption'?  I believe the only reason to be on death row is if the person has committed murder many times.  I also believe that contninual rape offenders deserve it as well, especially continual child molesters.  I support the death penalty, but only under the circumstances listed above.  These are my ideas and reason why and why not.

Answer 6

There are a lot of things about our justice system that are confusing... I don't believe that anyone really knows what the right thing is in terms of the death penalty.  It's such a tricky issue, after all

Answer 7

I'm pro-choice for abortion. And I don't support the death penalty.

Answer 8

you have no way of knowing if their innocent  ?  duh !  you,re not a lawyer nor you ever gone to court while this person on death row ?   what make you thinks he,s innocent while he kills ?  

Answer 9

I oppose both.