December 19, 2005

Does the Death Penalty ‘Prevent’ Crime?
by Jeff Adams

First, I respect your view. My perspective and approach it a little different. The truth is executing someone isn’t cost effective. The process has allowed some innocent to be sentenced to death. There are states you can view their statistics where they have abolished and then returned the death penalty, reflecting the influence, with and without the death penalty. This clearly demonstrated that the death penalty is ineffective and doesn’t deter violent crimes.

There is a cost to our reputation with other countries, which impedes our ability to lead as a country that wants to push a pompous projected philosophy of human rights for all. To have a state sanctioned execution, is still the taking of a life, defined as murder. I would assert there is continued suffering and more of a determent keeping someone in prison for life, by letting his close neighbors remind the convicted of the benefit of not being executed, and the privilege allowed and experienced within his luxury accommodations.

I would assert more victims are killed by their perpetrators because of the consequence of the death penalty. If someone has the propensity to kill without reason, it’s highly unlikely they will be deterred because of the consequence and comprehension of an execution (until, after-the-fact) I can understand the concept of revenge, however I would purpose we make a life sentence, mean life, without the possibility of parole. We will save the taxpayers millions of dollars, by the removal of all the appeals associated to executing. Let’s let someone who transcends beyond mankind to make the decision of who lives or dies. Just a thought, Brian

Brian,

I appreciate the feedback, but just a few things. First, you appear to ignore my specific comment that the death penalty is just that: a PENALTY! It is not a 'deterrent,' any more than any other law is a 'deterrent ( do laws against rape stop rapists? If no, then the logic seems to go the law is useless and therefore should be abolished. That would be absurd.).

Second, concerning the expense due to the appeals process, I don't see this being any more expensive than the price taxpayers incur providing a lifetime of housing and feeding of a murderer. Therefore, the money aspect is moot, in my opinion.

Finally, there is a well documented history of murderers with outside contacts sitting in prison issuing orders for the deaths of those on juries that convicted them and those who testified against them. In effect, some murderers maintain the ability to cause more death as long a they are alive, whether they are in prison or not. As I said in my article, executed murderers commit no more crimes. It is a just solution.

To advocate following in the footsteps of Europe is hardly a sound argument against the death penalty. Europe is a castrated entity that is incapable of defending itself or its ideals with any level of sanity (I mention Europe due to your comments on international relations, and Europe is the only region where we get criticism for having the death penalty). As for being an international leader in anything, it should be by example, not dictate. I frown on American interference in the inner workings of other countries.

The death penalty is not an act of revenge but punishment that is historically (and for that matter, Biblically) justified.

Sincerely, Jeff Adams

The States Still have the Power to Control their Federal Government
By Robert Greenslade

I just wonder what history books you've read when you say that the Civil War did *not* change the relationship between the federal government and the states. M. G.

1-The Constitution was a contract between the States before the Civil War and it remained a contract between the States after the War.

2-The federal government was not a party to the Constitution before the Civil War and it did not become a party to the Constitution after the War.

3-The federal government was the agent of the States before the Civil War and it remained the agent of the States after the War.

4-The federal government did not have the constitutional authority to alter the powers of the States before the Civil War and it did not gain the constitutional authority to alter the powers of the States after the War.

5-The States had the constitutional authority to amend the powers of the federal government before the Civil War and they retained the power to amend the powers of the federal government after the War.

So tell me how the constitutional relationship between the States and the federal government was altered by the Civil War? If you are referring to the 14th Amendment, please explain how it altered these 5 constitutional principles? And if you are referring to the 14th Amendment, do the States have the constitutional authority to repeal the Amendment? Yes they do and since the federal government lacks the constitutional authority to stop them, please tell me how the States lost power after the War.

Bob

The Victims of the Public School System Guide to the Bill of Rights
By Robert Greenslade

Well considered and written. My personal view is that when the word "congress" is used, the subject is confined to the federal government. However, when that is not the case, the subject applies equally to the states per Art. VI sec.2. Otherwise, the states would be empowered to enact gun control laws, as in the case of the unconstitutional state of Kalifornia.

Additionally, the preamble to the Constitution clearly establishes a government between the states and does not confer a power to legislate people. Federal laws are confined to the states at large, and it is up to the states to enforce the Constitution, which they have neglected to do. Rather, they have allowed the federal government to lump the people into a subject jurisdiction of the 14th amendment. Twining v. New Jersey renders a lucid perspective of the Citizen of the united states and the citizen of the United States.

To wit: the states have their Citizens and The United States have their citizens. Until the 14th amendment, congress made no laws for the people; then it gained the "power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article." Congress took a new class of people to raise, and saw nothing wrong with including us all in the mix! The above cite includes a statement that (As I recall) "The Right to keep and bear arms, the Right of peaceable assembly are not held to be of the privileges and immunities that the states are forbidden to abridge;" go figure.

Happy Trails in Liberty, D. W.

The Founders did not Grant the Federal Judiciary the Power to Interpret the Constitution
By Robert Greenslade

Amen! I have long held the views put forth so elegantly here. I believe, that if we are to return to a Constitution limited form of government, it will only happen when the People bring suit against their respective states in the supreme court of the united states, it being the court of original jurisdiction per Art. sec 2. The states are not enforcing the Constitution and they need to be brought before the court to answer for their lack of diligence. D. W.

The Flawed Second Amendment Debate
By Robert Greenslade

I hope you and like-minded people write and send this information to pro-gun groups like the N.R.A. and the Second Amendment Foundation etc. etc..... they really need this !! Robert

Bob really appreciates your feedback, as I do, but he can't respond personally to all of them. He's written a new article to address many of the comments. MamaLiberty

The Price of Liberty - front page

Great website!! Thanks! DTOM

Thank you! Please feel free to comment on anything here. MamaLiberty

America's Subclass, The Aging
By Dorothy Anne Seese

Hi Dorothy. I am soon to be sixty five, live in North Idaho. I moved here to be happy in my retirement ten years ago. I expected my grown children to bring grand kids up to my house. Forget it. I had four children. I was a good mother, was married to a control freak. The children's father had several affairs, I divorced him when the kids were young, 7,6,3,3

It was not easy, but I went to school, became a nurse. Then along came George. The only man who was interested in me and my children. I thought he would be a good father. Well my mistake again. To make a long story short. My oldest son and one of my twins call me sometimes. My son Robert is the best. He calls about once a week. He lives in Utah. If they all did that, there would be no problem. I was so close to my girls as teenagers. Now, it is awful. When they are together, I am an unwanted problem they seem to take great pleasure in making me bleed, emotionally.

I do not spend the money to visit. So I make my self busy. Red Hat club, local service organizations, bridge, and lunches with my friends. I do have a nice life, but the Holidays are hard. I used to love Christmas, and Thanksgiving. Now I have to get through them. Never thought I would feel that way. I miss the grandchildren so much. Well that is off my chest. Your little dissertation, writing is so true! We are a forgotten, necessary group of people. I have very few friends who have great relationships with their children. J. A.

I'm sure there were hurts and wrongs on both sides, but it sounds as if you've made your own bed to a great extent. If you won't spend the money to visit, you can hardly expect to have a close relationship with your grandchildren. You may have to do more than your share of reaching out, but I think you will find it well worth the effort. Good luck. MamaLiberty

The Zionist Connection - An Unholy Tripartite
by Ted Lang

I never knew world politics is that much complicated. Thanks. I have learned a lot from this article. F. A.

Keep reading. I've got a feeling you have a long way to go to begin to understand what's going on. MamaLiberty

Three Wise Guys
By Catfarmer

I hope this is the right story and if it is thanks I had to use it for school. I don't really get it, but I have a test on it tomorrow. o well. M.

I have no idea if this is the right story or not, but if it is I would very much like to learn who your teacher is and how she/he came to find this story. Please write back and give me an email address so we can talk. Thanks! MamaLiberty

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