How many innocent victims are there of the death penalty?
This is a tough one. As of now, since the 1980's, 130 people on death row have been exonerated. Less than 20 of these cases involved DNA evidence. Actually, DNA is available for testing in fewer than 10% of all homicides. And, as in all criminal cases in the US, conviction is not beyond any doubt, it is beyond a reasonable doubt. And jurors do make mistakes. In addition, at least 8 people were executed despite extremely serious doubts about their guilt. They are: Carlos DeLuna Texas Conviction: 1983, Executed: 1989 Information about the case at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/speci... Ruben Cantu Texas Convicted: 1985, Executed: 1993 Info on his case at http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/fron... Larry Griffin Missouri Conviction: 1981, Executed: 1995 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8556687/ Joseph O'Dell Virginia Conviction: 1986, Executed: 1997 http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/URS.PDF David Spence Texas Conviction: 1984, Executed: 1997 http://partners.nytimes.com/library/politics/camp/051400wh-bush-cases.html Leo Jones Florida Convicted: 1981, Executed: 1998 http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/node/667 Gary Graham Texas Convicted: 1981, Executed: 2000 http://capitalpunishmentincontext.org/cases/graham Cameron Willingham Texas Convicted: 1992, Executed: 2004 http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/2007/04/was-innocent-man-executed-in-texas.html The case of Cameron Willingham is particularly disturbing. He was executed for a death by arson. However, more modern forensics, dealing with fires, now indicate that the fire was very likely an accident and not arson.
Who are some rich people who were or should have been on death row/life sentence?
What is your premise here? Some belief and resentment that wealthy people buy their way out of prison and punishment for crimes? But that you are not sufficiently well informed to be able to make that argument effectively, so you want other people to supply your with information that will make you appear learned and authoritative?If so, then your thinking is full of holes. That is not what happens in the real world.What does happen, often, is that police and prosecutors are inept and incompetent. Usually that does not make any difference, because defense attorneys are typically just as incompetent. Despite sloppiness in prosecution, juries still find people guilty. Very often, innocent people. And sometimes those innocents are even executed, because they were not properly defended. Other times they spend long periods, even decades, in prison before they are exonerated.O.J. Simpson, for example, is widely regarded as being a double murderer; and in fact a civil damages trial did find him guilty of murder (but of course a civil court cannot sentence one to prison or death). O.J. was acquitted not because he was rich, but because the prosecution made a series of phenomenal blunders, and allowed the defense lawyers to create a (phony) image of uncertainty around his guilt. The chief prosecutor has never since been permitted to try anyone in any other court, but the inability of the prosecution team to prove guilt remains. (Many people are nevertheless pleased that O.J. was later convicted of a lesser crime, and is now serving a long prison term.)Not all prosecutors are inept. Bernie Madoff is doing 150 years, and so will die in prison, despite his having something like eight billion dollars when he was arrested.Dennis Hastert, who for eight years was second in line to be president of the US, was a multimillionaire (mainly from illicit dealings), and went to prison where he will very likely die before serving his full sentence.Not very many wealthy people are executed. There are several reasons. First, not many of the wealthy commit capital crimes. Second, there are actually rather few people executed in the US, in recent decades. Third, the wealthy who are tried for capital crimes (like O.J.) hire lawyers who are much more competent than the majority of prosecutors. It is also possible that many of the less well-to-do, who commit capital crimes, are not very smart and so get caught.
Is C. Ronaldo the definition of "glory hunter"?
I completely disagree with everything you wrote. You have no point when you say: "He has to take every free-kick" or "He has to take every penalty kick." In what way do those things even remotely indicate he is a glory hunter?? Ronaldo is the designated penalty and free-kick taker in the team so it's obviously his duty to take the set-pieces. It takes courage and self-belief to always be the one to do those things despite the probability of failure. Xavi has wasted the majority of the free-kicks he has taken so far in the tournament and he STILL pushes other players like Alonso (who is more than capable of a good delivery) aside. Also, Ronaldo has always been the player to take the 5th penalty for Portugal. In Euro 2004 at 19: he took the final penalty that knocked England out in the quarter finals. The same thing happened again in 2006 during the world-cup. The decision of who takes the spot--kick isn't made there and then. It's always a pre-planned thing. Besides: No Ronaldo = No semi-final for portugal.
Why should the rich be punished for being ambitious?
I am not at all a rich man. All I own in the world is a 93 Honda. I am working to improve on this, but democats say if I do, I should be punished. If you choose to work at McDonald's and live in a trailer park, that's your business, but don't say that someone who works hard to have more should face a penalty. By the way...McCain or Obama?
Should the death penalty be abolished in India? What effects will it have on our society if it is abolished?
Many “eminent” people have put forth their argument for removal of Capital punishment. Let us logically look into the reasons given by them. 1. Most of the countries in the world have removed Capital Punishment: True, but who are these “most” countries. They are mostly developed countries with very low crime rates and every country designs its policies based on the circumstances prevailing in it. Many countries of Europe have completely open borders. Should India open its borders? Isn’t it dangerous to imitate others without considering local conditions? 2. Capital Punishment is very barbaric and medieval. We are a civilized society, so let’s remove it: We are surrounded by violent groups from all sides. ISIS is much more violent than any medieval group. We need capital punishments for such terrorist. With about 68 rape cases reported every day in India in 2012(source: Rape in India), how can we even think that we are a matured or a developed society. We need capital punishments for such rapists, even if does not remain “rarest of the rare”. Eliminating such criminals from our society is a bigger step towards becoming civilised than feeding them on taxpayers’ money for their life on the false pretext of getting more civilized by doing such acts. 3. It is state sponsored killing: Yes, it is. The state must do everything to protect its people. What’s wrong in it?4. An eye for eye makes everybody blind: It is just a highly philosophical statement which doesn’t hold much practical ground. When you have somebody who has already made you blind, and is very determined to make your complete family blind, it is very logical to make him blind before he makes your complete family blind. Such philosophical statements are valid in dealing with civilians and not with brainwashed and barbaric terrorists. 5. Capital punishment has not been proved a deterrent in any study worldwide: Nobody has cited any credible study which conclusively proves that death penalty is not a deterrent. Plus, it would lower down the morale of our police forces who risk their lives every day, every hour and every moment, handling such savages. It would be so unfair for the victims’ families. It’s not blood lust, its justice for them.So you have my answer. The debate on Capital punishment has come way ahead of its times. Let’s leave it for discussion in 2040. We certainly need death penalty right now.
Politically, why is it fair/unfair to tax the rich more?
It's possibly the most unfair thing possible.Why?You were born poor , you didn't get opportunities , I get that part. That's not your fault but how is that my fault ? Why should I be penalized for something that's not my fault ?And it's not a small penalty either ….. Close to 50% of my salary .Here are some of the answers I got to that1. “ you got rich using facilities provided by the government. Since you used the facilities more , you should pay more”Here's the problem with that.Government provides security , public transportation , education , etc . However , these facilities are provided to everyone. There's no such preference given to the richer section. So why should we be charged more for the same services ?2. “Rich can afford paying more taxes , the poor can't”Okay but that doesn't answer why I should pay more. When you go to a restaurant to eat do you pay according to the fixed prices or your paying capabilities ?Just because I can doesn't mean I should be forced to do so . If it's so then why doesnt the government force the middle class people to sell their houses for the homeless people ? Afterall that money would matter more to a homeless man.3. “You are just a greedy man. Have you got no moral ?”No I don't. I worked my ass off for my money , I took risks . I would choose how to spend my money .I would donate to the poor of I feel like it .How about I say , I am a virgin so you should let me do your wife and if you deny , I say “ you greedy fellow , have you got no morals”PS: English is not my first language , excuse the errors .Have a great day living off the taxes paid by the richer.
Christian Republicans vs. Christian Democrats?
How do Christian Democrats deal with issues like abortion and how much of it is garbadge ? I am a Republican, but sometimes I wonder why ? I just want really fair open views here. I know Presedent Kennedy was Demorcrate, but he was also a full Catholic Christian, so abortion would have been out. Or, would it have been ? I am Born again, Holy Spirit filled Christian/ Roman Catholic,woman. I have stayed a Republican, because I have been "told" that they are the most moral, morality believers, decent. Is this true ? Are Christian Democrats are trying to put more restrictions on abortions ? Are you in favor of Abortion? Fighting / working to keep marriage pure,between a man and woman, working to keep same sex marriages illegal? I just want to know. Thanks.
Why doesn't government reduces tax and increases fines and penalty?
Ms.Saloni taxes do not require any burden of proof, however fines/penalties requires that the guilty is proved, given the opportunity to be heard and then the sentence. Please re-consider your question. Do you want the government to earn more solely because of wrong doing? Our country has not reached such standards. Also another important thing to be considered in imposing these fines/penalties through new legislation is the administration cost that needs to be incurred. If the government has to incur the administration cost then the revenue earned to the government should be greater than the cost. Please note that the government has also introduced the blackmoney bill and many crores has been collected due to its introduction.