[Avenger]

I think part of the reason for capitial punishment is as a deterrent for others who might consider committing the same crime. In our society have tried to make it as nice and pleasant as possible and removed it from the public eye so that it has probably lost most of its deterrent value. On the other hand, it is very costly to keep a person on death row - in most cases probably more costly than life imprisonment.

Personally, I do think there are people who deserve to die for the crimes they have committed. However, practically speaking I am not sure that the death penalty is as effective and cost-effective as many might think.

[Hootch]

It is not cost effective because of the cycles of appeals that go on and on.

There are people that deserve to die. Scott Peterson for one deserves to die. I'm not even opposed to it being televised although I'm still very hypothetical on that question. I do however believe that when a society is taking someone's life as a punishment, society is obligated to take that life in a civilzed manner (doesn't that sound sick??).

[little jeremiah]

It's only expensive because the whole shebang drags on too long.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Somebody said that the problem with the death penalty is that it doesn't really deter the crime it's intended to-- murder. Now, speeding, that's a different matter.