My cousins daughter was kidnapped and brutally murdered, and her 2 year old son was left to die in his carseat at the murderscene. Only by the grace of God did 2 fishermen find him the next day as they were scouting for a spot to fish.
I would love to see her filthy, lowlife murderer (he hasn't gone to trial as yet) stoned to death in the middle of our small town. I know I'd have a hand full of rocks ready.
Maybe if you had experienced such a tragedy in your family, you would feel differently.
No if, ands or buts, I would indeed feel differently. On an emotional level, I'd scream to high heaven for blood. No doubt about it.
However, the emotional response of an individual in great emotional pain is no way to make policy. I've always equarted the whole "feeling the issue" mentality with liberalism. It's a great liberal weakness. Liberals feel their way through issues instead of reasoning through them. I'd prefer to avoid that mistake.