While I support the death penalty in other areas, and rape is a terrible crime, especially child-rape, it probably does not deserve the death penalty. While we may veiw it as one of the worst crimes, it really is a crime that deserves jailtime and correctional facilites versus death.

Also, if you were to have the death penalty for child rape, why not for all rape? I mean, it's not really a huge difference between child (which I would assume in this case simply means a minor--correct me if Im wrong) and an adult. I once watched dateline: to catch a predator (terrible show) while the guys were wrong, I think that a lot of them could admit that they had a problem and knew what they were doing. In a situation like that a lot of people (not just men) could be convicted of rape in situations where it was more of an iffy situation and sometimes the "victim" activley lied or invited the 'rapist', then accused him later (i know that this is rarer, but it must be taken into account). A lot of times in rape cases extra evidence comes out later too, and the death penalty just seems a little too permanent a solution to a problem that wont be solved by it.

Also, he is right b saying that the death penalty could lead to increased killings of rape victims--which would escalate rape situations--scarring, but not permanent--to murder, which doesnt give you a second chance.

In cases of murder/treason of course this is different. Murder is a permanent crime and most of the time you must actively be trying to kill someone. As a deterrant to murder the death penalty seems okay.

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"...Follow the crystal star to the pyre of the flame; there exists the dwelling of the spreading fire. The heart of this life rests upon the fate of that place, and what begins there sends a contagion to the rest of the universe.
As long as the fire burns we shall never be free..." (The Shadows of Yavara, Final Reclamation)

Rape is a permanent crime as well. Even more so when it is a child under the age of 15 or so.

What I have a hard time understanding is why in the world Level III sex offenders are allowed back on the streets. Every time I see a bulletin on the news it includes "the offender has a high probability to re-offend" Makes me feel damn safe having a 2 year old in the same neighborhood.

A rape victim that has gone through counseling will admit that it was better not to have been murdered after being raped. Or do you think they would disagree?

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Well they shouldnt get parole, and a long sentence in a labor camp or something would do them good.

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"...Follow the crystal star to the pyre of the flame; there exists the dwelling of the spreading fire. The heart of this life rests upon the fate of that place, and what begins there sends a contagion to the rest of the universe.
As long as the fire burns we shall never be free..." (The Shadows of Yavara, Final Reclamation)

I think everyone would prefer most things over being murdered. But it still does not change the fact that rapping a child is one of the most horrible thing someone can possible do.

Me too. Then we could conduct a study to compare rates of murders and rapes of children. Louisiana could be the experimental group and another similar state could be the control group and over say five years we could finally find out if the threat of execution convinces the rapist to kill the victim.

No-one would argue about that. And strangely enough all of us are trying to argue for the same result - the protection of children. It's just that some of us want to execute the offender (understandable reaction) and some of us are arguing that the life of the victim may be at greater risk if the offender is in a jurisdiction where he knows the sentence for murdering the child is the same as for raping the child.

None of us are arguing that the rape of a child isn't one of the most horrendous crimes anyone can commit (I know you're not suggesting that Drakej, I just have to make the point for general consumption).

Except for raping them and then murdering them. That is the whole argument against killing them. When they face execution if caught, it ups the likelihood that they will murder their victim to try to keep from being identified.

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