I have always been if favor of it. The problem with it now is a convicted person has too many appeals. If the system is fair than in my view it should be done within two years. The main reason I am in favor of this is it would be a deterrent against the most severe crime.

Paul, 30
Lowell, MA

Though I am liberal on many political issues, I'm conservative on this one....if they are POSITIVE they got the right guy (or girl), and he (she) did a heinous crime, I say ZAP HIM!!!!

Susan, 31
Chicago, IL

I really don't see the sense in putting anyone to death. Even a sociopath, with no chance of redemption, who has killed 30 people. I don't see where it does any good.

Besides, how is it that the heads of those big tobacco companies who have been making products that kill millions of folks and knew about it aren't sitting on death row?

Like I said, I don't see where another death solves anything other than feeding feelings of revenge.

Felicia, 34
Somerville,  MA

I believe in capital punishment, but only after the accused has had a fair trial with a competent attorney

Jill, 59
Saylorsburg, PA

I don't think about it. . .despite the best efforts of my high school social studies teachers

Karen, 20
Marshelltown/Ames, IA

I believe it is wrong to kill anyone, they will be punished in hell.  The bible says, "thou shalt not kill", so that means no killing at all. I don't believe in killing for your country, or killing at all. If you do kill, you will have to repent for your sins.

Melodi, 19
Hlliard, OH

I don't agree with it.

Pamela, 39
Sugar Hill, GA

i think you can never prevent crime by committing crime. killing one person won't keep others from killing more. it's a double standard and just another example of the hypocrisy of our nation.

Angela, 16
SC

I think it makes sense. Someone kills someone, they should die.   Someone rapes someone, they should die. It make sense to me. By the degree that you don't have capital punishment, that is the degree that you allow people to behave, in a philosophical sense, of coarse. If I kill someone and simply go to jail for it instead of getting killed, why is that? Is it because my government is righteous and forgiving? Is it because capital punishment is morrally wrong? Some would say that, but, unless capital punishment is not a part of the criminal justice system at all, like in

Socrates One
Lowell, MA

I'm fine with it. I do of course hope that it's being fairly delt. And I never want to watch. But for the most part, it's fine.

Firelady, 22
Dallas, TX

I am against it in all but the most extraordinary circumstances,  because  there is always a possibility of error, which sometimes doesn't  surface until  years later.

Jane, 60
West Linn, OR

I have never felt that murder justifies more murder. If by some horrific circumstance I had to deal with this directly, I would (I am sure) have a different stance. Is life in prison more appropriate punishment?

What about  the few poor innocents on death row?

Tina, 31
Medford, MA

I don't believe in it. . . it seems barbaric and uncivilized and just plain wrong. .

mothmc, 35
Los Angeles, LA

I am pro-capital punishment, however, I am in favor of making it fairer and more efficient. I don't think it works in its current state. It needs to be fixed so that appeals do not last foreover, and the innocent are not executed…

Ernest, 29
Washington, DC

I think that murder should be met with death. If someone is found guilty of murder, then I think that they should be killed themselves. But of course it's not always that simple. And also it's remendously expensive. So I don't know whether I want it to be brought back or not.

Shanna, 15
Cardiff ENGLAND

I think Vengeance is Gods.

Jami, 27
Lowell, MA

Capital punishment is immoral.

Laura, 35
Lowell, MA

I sometimes believe the punishment should fit the crime.I sometimes believe if you take a life you should have yours taken away. But this is not a cut and dry question. What of those who kill in self-defense? What of those who accidentally kill (i.e. lose control of a car, etc.)  It's a funky issue to get into. I don't know where I stand.

Amy, 23
New Orleans, LA

I think it is hypocritcal. I think it is wrong. I think that God's instructions are clear, thou shalt not kill and don't judge others. The only benefit is it solves a logistical problem.

Kathy, 26
Garden City, MI

I'm in favor of it as long as there is conclusive evidence, it's done immediately (as opposed to waiting till the guy's about to die from natural causes anyway)and done creatively. Maybe with a bigwheel gameshow kind of deal. I can host.

Alias Irrelevante

I don't think the state should get the pleasure of performing the punishment. Let the families of those slain decide the method of death and pull the switch if they opt to. Rapists should be put in stocks in the rec rooms of maximum security prisons. Hardcore drug dealers should be injected with something nasty, like clorox. And the most vile of criminals, the unsubtle potsmoker, should be given a cup of coffee and have to sit in the corner for an hour. Politicians should be submerged in diarrhea with a single snorkel to share.

Anthony, 25
Baton Rouge, LA

One of my biggest fears is being arrested and convicted for a crime I did not commit. It is statistically proven that it is far cheaper to incarcirate a person for life, then to put them to death, in the U.S. With all the appeals processes, etc, it is far cheaper to lock someone up for life, and then not have the worry of killing someone innocently.

Kevin, 33
Sugar Hill, GA

Yesterday / Tomorrow