Affirmative Action Needed on Death Penalty
We have become a very punitive society with huge rates of incarceration, longer sentences than elsewhere in the Western World and the use of the death sentence that is unique amongst civilized nations. We try children as adults by magically certifying them as adults, and we subject juveniles to life sentences. We often sentence psychopaths and imbeciles as if they were responsible, and we do criminalize stupidity and bad judgment. Are we safer for all this?
I believe there is a place for the death penalty--but only in theory. In practice, we can't be trusted. We execute the poor, minorities and males disproportionately. Until we catch up by executing a lot of rich guys and middleclass white women, there should be a moratorium.
What needs to be done is to acelerate de executions and no to live them for 15 or 20 years waiting for the sentence to take place; as soon as the jury find them guilty, execute them including minors.
who is the "Manlio Castillo" who wrote that comment on July 17? Certainly not the "Manlio Castillo" who is writing this comment...*This* Manlio Castillo is opposed to the death penalty.