Author Topic: Samantha Runnion Poll (Read 632 times)

Shuckins · « **on:** July 17, 2002, 12:53:47 PM »

I understand kidnapping is a federal crime. Usually the investigation of child molestation and murder is handled by the states.

I'd like to conduct a poll here. Should the punishment of child molesters and killers be handled by the federal government? What types of punishment would be appropriate? If DNA evidence points conclusively to the guilt of the suspect, should the death penalty be invoked?

I'll start with my votes.

1. Should the federal government handle this type of crime? Yes, and make a national data base of child molesters available to all local police authorities.

2. If they are serial child molesters, chemical or surgical castration as well as permanent incarceration. We should be more concerned about protecting our children than in protecting the "right" of a child molester to father his own children in the future. Our "privates" are not sacred, nor are they protected by the Constitution.

3. If the molestation leads to murder, and if DNA conclusively identifies the perpetrator, no mercy should be shown. Serial killers enjoy what they're doing. If they escape from prison they'll do it again. Don't give them the chance.

Regards, Shuckins

Masherbrum · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2002, 01:04:06 PM »

I understand where this is coming from and agree, BUT the Child Molester heads the list as the most often released on Parole. I know this from my Criminal Justice classes.

A bullet in the head would take care of that problem though.

Masher

hawk220 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2002, 01:13:57 PM »

i agree with his Masherness...you rape a child and its summary execution...with due process of course...also, chemical castration,while I am in favor of, is an 8th Amendment no-no...

if molestation leads to murder...NO mercy whatsoever..they should hold the execution on friggin pay-per-view.

if the punishments were capital..then it wouldn't really matter if it were fed or state...tho the fed's take longer to carry out sentence

Shuckins · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2002, 01:29:01 PM »

Hawk,

Thanks for your reply.

If I may, I'd like to make the argument that chemical castration for serial child molesters does not violate the 8th Amendment. That amendment forbids cruel and unusual punishment. In light of the crime committed by this type of felon, how can painless castration to prevent him from repeating that crime be considered cruel and unusual punishment? What is more cruel than a grown man thrusting his man-sized noodle into the small body of a kidnapped and terrified child? If caught and incarcerated, do we want him to be able to do the same thing again if he should happen to escape, or as is more likely, be released on parole? Why should he retain his right own his "weapon?"

In the case of a serial child molester and murder, I believe that chemical castration or death are the only appropriate responses.

Regards, Shuckins

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2002, 01:40:03 PM »

I'm all for severe sentances in cases like this, but I do not agree with the statements that are much more global.

Child molestation AND murder should be cut and dry.. litterally. And in that case, a nationa database is irrelavant... they shouldn't be back out on the streets ever again.

The problem is the tendancy to cite child molestation as something merriting the response. At first glance, it seems pretty straight forward until you try to define exactly what constitutes child molestation. Remember... it has to be defined.

I've seen child molestation cases where a father was sentanced for 7 years for raping his step daughter. That was the minimum sentance... no arguments allowed by either the family or the convict. I can see that.

I've also seen a case where a divorced man was charged with molesting his daughter based solely on testimony from the ex-wife who had a history of vendictive behavior. Fortunately, it became clear that the charges were false and the case was eventually dropped... with no penalty to the ex-wife. In this situation, it is entirely possible that a jury would be un-sympathetic or even spitefull toward the defendant and issue a "guilty" plea resulting in a gavel stricking a pad with a "7 years... no arguments" sentance.

When its law... it has to happen by the guidlines established. No exceptions.

AKDejaVu

Mathman · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2002, 01:47:00 PM »

Is kidnapping a federal crime? I thought it was only if the kidnappers crossed state lines. Maybe it has changed. Either way, the point is moot.

There are 2 types of people I have no respect for and could care less about what happens to them.

1) Men who abuse/rape/murder women. I can't say how much this disturbs me and pisses me off.

2) Adults who abuse/rape/murder children. This is the only thing that is worse than number 1. It is something that I can't understand and hopefully never will.

People who beat dogs bother me, but those two types of people sicken and infuriate me. When I see, hear, or read about people abusing children or men beating women, I get a not in my stomach and feel what I can best describe as a sense of rage pass through me.

Right or wrong, I don't care what is done to people convicted of these crimes. There are few crimes that I think warrant anything beyond lenghty jail terms. These are two of them.

Anyways, just my thoughts and feelings concerning this topic.

Hopefully the authorites catch the diddlyer that did this.

Sorry for the swearing.

-math

hawk220 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2002, 03:13:26 PM »

well, Shuckins, the definition of cruelty embodies contemporary standards of decency and certainly changes with current public opinion.. so while the Bill of Rights was written in the 18th Century.. things do change. the 8th Amendment was put in to prevent the torturous and mideavel things we did to prisoners/condemned etc back then. so if the social barometer has changed regarding such treatment, then it may not be a violation.

AKIron · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2002, 04:27:02 PM »

Depends, in this case California allows the death penalty. If it came under federal jurisdiction would the death penalty be disallowed based on a recent ruling preventing federal executions?

The bastard that did this should die, would be painful too if it were up to me.

Shuckins · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2002, 05:24:08 PM »

I find it hard to understand why some people get so upset at the thought of some rapist and/or child molester losing the use of their whang-doodle!

Are we so wrapped up in the worship of sex and our noodlees that we feel sympathy for these scum? Or is it because we don't want to be thought of as being cruel and barbaric?

When done by a physician surgical and chemical castration is almost painless. That is far better than what they have put their victims through. It isn't cruel or barbaric. It is just and practical and prudent!

Their crimes are bad enough when committed against an adult. They are far worse when they are committed against the young and innocent. Even if they live they will never be children again.

Preventing a repetition of their crimes should be our main concern.

Regards, Shuckins

Seeker · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2002, 05:45:30 PM »

Chemical castration was performed right up to the seventies in Denmark as a response to this sort of crime, but stopped as it had no appreciable effect on repeat offenders......

Shuckins · « **Reply #10 on:** July 17, 2002, 06:02:02 PM »

Seeker,

If that was the case, and the repeat offenders kept molesting children, then why didn't the Danes take the next step; imposing the death penalty? Are they, as a society, so opposed to the "barbaric" death penalty that they will not use it even to protect their children?

Puzzled, Shuckins

miko2d · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2002, 08:07:16 AM »

Federal government should only do what the states cannot do - (some) defence, monetary system, foreign policy.

I am pretty sure that a state can try and punish a criminal.

miko

midnight Target · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2002, 10:55:00 AM »

They are saying now that this guy has all the characteristics of a serial rapist killer. Horrible. I am against the death penalty, but my objective opinion is teetering on the edge in this case.

Shuckins · « **Reply #13 on:** July 18, 2002, 11:34:12 AM »

Midnight Target,

I believe in the use of the death penalty and always have. I would be less than honest if I were to say that I had no reservations about it. But in the case of serial rapists and murderers, if modern DNA identification tests can conclusively link them to their crimes, then it should be imposed.

The well-being of our children should come first. Period.

Regards, Shuckins

Toad · « **Reply #14 on:** July 18, 2002, 11:38:06 AM »

Every fall K-Mart has a sale on .30-06 ammo. 20 rounds for $8 or so. Cheap solution...... after all the DNA stuff and other evidence is in of course.