Poll: American Taliban?

[Tominator]

<< European countries the death penalty was abolished and the sales of firearms restricted just for the heck of it? >>



Yes, actually, I do!

 

[Red Dawn]

Send him to Canada so he can join the Inuit Liberation Front

 

[Beau]

<< I bet that even if not making your cc payments on time would be punished with death, there would still be people failing to do so The cc example is understandable, but the punishment for reason is without reason. It just is, it's a mere tradition, a leftover from other times when people were far less civilized. Again, of all Western countries, the US is the only country which punishes treason with death. Does that make the US superior, or wiser, than all other Western countries? Also, I'm very careful with blaming people for their actions in the sense of 's/he knew what s/he was doing.'. In the words of Red Dawn, the only thing you can charge this guy with, is poor judgement. What threat is this guy at the moment to the US? Will he attempt to destroy the US or something on his own, or organise some kind of islamic sect, which will carry out terrorist attacks on targets in the US? This John Walker make a mistake, so he'll have to live with it. People will remember his actions when they hear his name. Let him live with this disgrace, don't save him from this punishment by some cowardly act. >>



I can see your point there, and even if I don't fully agree with it, it is a valid one. Personally, I agree with the death penalty for treason. I think that an act of treason is an act against humanity. It can put millions of lives at stake. Also, firm punishment acts a a detourer to others. If you knew that you would be killed if you slapped someone, would you slap someone? I don't think so.

I guess if Walker was to admit his wrong, provide substantial evidence against al-queda and bin laden (and I'm talking MAJOR, DEFINITE evidence that leads to the direct aprehension of UBL) then I could see having another, less severe punishment. But until then, he is, and will forever be, a traitor.

Further, who is to say what this radical will do if he is let go. Maybe he will form an underground american taliban or al-queda. Who's to say, but why risk it?

 

[Red Dawn]

Since I first commented about Walker it seems that he was aware of the WTC attack and continued to fight for Bin Laden's Al Qieda so I believe that his actions have earned him a trial. If found guilty an appropriate sentence should be handed down. What sentence that is would have to be determined by those who are on the jury or the Judge presiding over that trial.

 

[cuteybunny]

american taliban?! that doesn't make sense, it look more like a taliban wanting his a$$ be spared because he can speak english and know some one here to refer to. I don't buy his crap. a traitor is a traitor no matter how you put it. anyone who is there for a holy war cause is proof enough he is against us, i say leave him there and let the NA do whatever they want with him. its not our problem.

 

[Elledan]

<< I can see your point there, and even if I don't fully agree with it, it is a valid one. Personally, I agree with the death penalty for treason. I think that an act of treason is an act against humanity. It can put millions of lives at stake. Also, firm punishment acts a a detourer to others. If you knew that you would be killed if you slapped someone, would you slap someone? I don't think so. >>

Yes, we all know how wonderful the death penalty works as a deterrent </sarcasm>

I'm convinced that nothing, not even the threat of being put to death will keep certain people from commiting certain crimes, like murder and treason. History tells me that I'm right.

Ah, and as an aside, how about the +/- 5 people who are executed in the US each year, yet are later found to be innocent?

So, my two major gripes with the US 'Justice' system come down to this:

- fix the damn system. Right now it's an embarrassment to any country which calls 'freedom' its 'trademark'.

- the death penalty is barbaric and totally ineffective as a deterrent.



<< I guess if Walker was to admit his wrong, provide substantial evidence against al-queda and bin laden (and I'm talking MAJOR, DEFINITE evidence that leads to the direct aprehension of UBL) then I could see having another, less severe punishment. But until then, he is, and will forever be, a traitor.

Further, who is to say what this radical will do if he is let go. Maybe he will form an underground american taliban or al-queda. Who's to say, but why risk it? >>

So, just to be safe, you propose to execute people?

I guess Saddam Hussein and Stalin would have wholeheartedly agreed with you.

 

[burnedout]

Ah, and as an aside, how about the +/- 5 people who are executed in the US each year, yet are later found to be innocent?

Can you back that statement up with concrete evidence Ellendan?

 

[Elledan]

<< Ah, and as an aside, how about the +/- 5 people who are executed in the US each year, yet are later found to be innocent?

Can you back that statement up with concrete evidence Ellendan? >>

I got the number from the Death Penalty Information Center and it was also used in an article in the newspaper I read, so I assume it's fairly reliable.

 

[b0mbrman]

<<

<< The point is that John Walker commited treason, not murder. He willingly caused harm and damage to his home country. >>

So he's executed?

See, that's exaclty the point I'm having trouble with. Why execute him? Revenge?
I personally tend to stay as far away from revenge as possible, since it'll only create more problems. >>



Well, here's another thing...what's the point in giving him prison time or a fine? With the same logic, you'd call it nothing more than revenge.

So what, we shouldn't arrest people anymore because it only creates more problems?

 

[Elledan]

<<

<<

<< The point is that John Walker commited treason, not murder. He willingly caused harm and damage to his home country. >>

So he's executed?

See, that's exaclty the point I'm having trouble with. Why execute him? Revenge?
I personally tend to stay as far away from revenge as possible, since it'll only create more problems. >>



Well, here's another thing...what's the point in giving him prison time or a fine? With the same logic, you'd call it nothing more than revenge.

So what, we shouldn't arrest people anymore because it only creates more problems? >>


Heh, that's exactly the issue I'm often thinking about

Arresting people is acceptable, yet common ways of 'punishment' are either barbaric, futile or ineffective. I guess it's about time we start looking at what the real cause is of 'crime'. I refuse to believe that it's just because of the way their environment has shaped them that people commit crimes.

IMHO it's a mixture of genetic factors and the upbringing and development of a person which causes him or her to behave in a certain way. If this is correct, then no punishment will ever be effective. Instead we should start looking for a treatment and probably ways to avoid such 'malfunctions'.

 

I'm convinced that nothing, not even the threat of being put to death will keep certain people from commiting certain crimes, like murder and treason. History tells me that I'm right.

Fine,when that person commits the crime and we put him to death,he will not be able to commit that crime again,will he ?

 

[cmdavid]

if you think about it, he should be treated WORSE than the Taliban who never actually experienced America.. who did not really have a choice between the Taliban and America... all they knew was what they were told... This guy.. American taliban man.... he KNOWS what America is about.. he was born and raised in America... his family.. all from America..... yet he still CHOSE to fight against his own country... what a loser....

 

[FreeAgent]

<<if you think about it, he should be treated WORSE than the Taliban who never actually experienced America.. who did not really have a choice between the Taliban and America... all they knew was what they were told... This guy.. American taliban man.... he KNOWS what America is about.. he was born and raised in America... his family.. all from America..... yet he still CHOSE to fight against his own country... what a loser.... >>


You have 100% agreement here

 

[Train]

He commited treason, penalty for treason is death. Its been that way since the american revolution 225+ years ago, and was the same way long before that in many other countries.

But the truth is, in the legal system, treason is damn near impossible to prove, by its mere definition in the constitution, its actually harder to prove someone guilty for treason than it is for murder, or anyother crime (Treason is the only crime in which at least TWO, living, coherent, US Citizen, witnesses are REQUIRED to prove guilt). So in all actuality, he will be charged with espionage, and will be basically tossed in the slammer and never seen again.