truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

Except there are many other countries whose kids and citizens can and do experience the same violent TV and Video games and shows, yet do not have the same horrendous violent crime statistics as the US.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I believe what you are saying does have some effect on the violence. But also consider the even more important, in numbers, situation that even if kids are not involved in ultra violent games they are still involved with the entire computer system. That means very little contact with other humans, even some family members.

The entire spectrum of phones, pads, computers and whatever there is, is in use by people of all ages. As I type my almost 3 year old granddaughter is on her own iPad type of machine oblivious to everything but some kid game. My point is the interaction between humans is becoming lost to us.

Dennis

ltatko

Tomcat, Good statement. You are focused!!

Len

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Dennis, I believe you to be correct that those given the Death Sentence were deserving of it. Perhaps there are some that are innocent yet the evidence was overwhelming leading to their conviction. We know that sentence is merely the first step and there are many, many steps and years to go in the process. The condemned are given opportunities to amend their sentence before that faithful day arrives. There are many that have died of natural causes as the years have passed so they never took that last walk.

There are many that believe that capital punishment should be eliminated. I personally tend to side with the victims who had their lives taken in horrid unimaginable ways in a premeditated manner. The fellow that shoots the clerk while conducting a robbery does not get the death sentence for it is reserved for a very select few where the death of the victim is the ultimate goal not an event in the heat of the moment which warrants a life sentence or less.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

While I agree with almost everything you said I cannot agree that killing a clerk in the commission of a robbery is less of a murder than a man who deliberately kills his wife because she cheated on him.

The robbery type inmate generally feels that whatever someone else has that he wants should be his for the taking. There is no middle ground for many of these people. The clerk might be fine in this situation providing he does everything according to the criminal’s wishes. Any variation can result in his death. Criminals have the biggest egos on the planet. Many truly feel the world is there for their taking.

But let’s not forget that some robbers, rapists and so on kill all of their victims after the robbery or rape even if the main crime went unchallenged.

Some criminals kill people to see them suffer or just to see someone die.

I feel the need to point out that not every criminal is as I discussed for fear someone here will give me an anecdote where some criminal did something different. Of course what I am saying is not for every single criminal. But that category fits a great many.

Dennis

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Dennis and I can't imagine how difficult, dangerous and nerve racking you job was. At this point in many of their lives they have nothing to lose so being a violent asshole is merely a form of entertainment for them.

I've watched programs on prisons around the world and many are 'oh my gosh' and I can't imagine anyone that would ever want to be there or go back...if they survive. "The Black Dolphin" in the Soviet Union is possibly the most holy-crap place to be for a bad guy. Our bad guys get country club treatment compared to that of the Black Dolphin. Even the dogs that the guards breed and keep there are monsters like no where else in the world and they would not only bite a bad guy if they were turned loose on him...I suspect that they would eat him!

Any act that leads to the death of an innocent victim is a heinous act worthy of the ultimate punishment. Most of society is led to believe that guns are the problem however that simply is not the case. Many of the most brutal deaths are caused by non-gun weapons including strangling, stomping and beating one to death with their bare hands. Many are simply evil and they enjoy the pain and suffering that they inflict. Some are criminally insane...not much we can do other than keep them away from society for the remainder of their lives. Most state executions, such as ours, is by lethal injection. Although the ultimate punishment it is the most humane way to administer it. Far more humane than the way that they terminated their victims.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Can’t agree with you more.

Dennis

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Maybe a good point truckster. But I have been in 30 countries and I can tell you from Paris
to Jamaica to Asia their is plenty of crime and violence. In india recently they periodically
murder each other and then makeup. This just happened in Delhi. And our shows/movies are available
around the world in most places. Recently Netflix is showing some of these experiences. Central
and South America are really nasty in a lot of countries. Hollywood makes a fortune billions
in distribution of our movies internationally. People are desperate in places like Guatemala
and Central America. They live with threats everyday. Hopefully things will get better.
Nice talking with you.