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so that brings us to crime and punishment, which seems to be the basic reason that governmental bodies exist. Now I believe the reason that punishments for crime exist is not to seek vengeance, but rather as a disincentive for future crimes.

You are putting words in the mouths of liberatarians and beating them over the head with it. The function of government in the libertarian universe is not crime and punishment - that is an old testament view of things. The libertarian view would be that the government should act to protect individual liberty, life, and property rights. To the extent that restraining and punishing criminals is necessary to accomplish that then it is just, but vengence against criminals is not a function of goverment in the libertarian universe. In the libertarian view, redress against criminals would be more in line with civil penalties - that they should make restitution for the wrongs they have committed.

In fact, re vengence - "Vengence is mine sayeth the lord" - a teaching that our "Christian right" cannot seem to keep in mind when in their anger, envy and bloodlust they seek to strike out against those they disagree with.

Sir, I beg your pardon. I did not mean to say that libertarians believe that. *I* believe that. I even point out in my post that I am *not* a libertarian.

What I posted was simply my thought process as to how *I* justified killing.

I assume this is that part you had a problem with:

The death penalty works far better than other punishments in my humble opinion. ... minimization of the oppression of personal rights by the government for the protection of life (a personal right) from other individuals. That's my opinion anyway. Which incidentally should make it ideal from a libertarian viewpoint.

Please note,
Incidentally: Apart from the main subject; parenthetically.

What I was trying to say is, this is what I believe, these are my reasons. Perhaps they would also appeal to you as a libertarian. Not this is what you believe as a libertarian.

I believe your problem with my post was one of semantics, and I apologize for not being more clear. That being said, what are you saying differently from me? I believe the punishment should not be for vengeance, you seem to believe the same thing.

I believe in the death penalty not because of vengeance but because it is a deterrent. If the death penalty was worse as a deterrent I would be against it. I do not think that the death penalty should be because of vengeance.

-paridel