The Death Penalty

Recently I've been watching a Frontline documentary about a man named Clifford Boggess, who was convicted of murdering two elderly men on separate occasions and sentenced to death (Clifford, and the men he killed, lived in Texas). 

I think that there are good and bad sides to the death penalty.  Starting with the good, the death penalty is cheaper than a life in prison sentence.  Once they're dead, they're dead (this is also a bad thing but I'll get into that later).  Additionally, if there is concern that the person will/could escape from prison, the death penalty means that they wont get that chance.

The main bad thing about the death penalty (as opposed to life in prison) is that it is final.  There are no take-backs if more evidence is brought to light later.  This is a pretty big idea to consider, especially if there is any doubt as to the guiltiness of the suspect.

In Clifford's case however, there were no such doubts.  In this case he definitely deserves the death penalty because there is he has confessed to his crimes.  However, in cases of doubt, I don't think the death penalty should be used.

To conclude, I think that the death penalty is necessary, but should be used sparingly because of the fact that you only have one chance.

Final Presidential Decisions

With the election just around the corner, it is important for everyone to vote, and for everyone who votes to be informed.  While I think that most people wont get any more information than what they already have from TV ads, the debates, and what they've heard from friends and family, here are a couple quizzes that may help you decide, or reinforce your decision: http://2012election.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004491
http://votesmart.org/voteeasy/?utm_campaign=voteeasy&utm_source=votesmart&utm_medium=homepagead

I think that it is important to vote on every election for which one is eligible because it ensures that America (or the local area for which the election is taking place) is as well represented as possible.

I think it is important for a voter to do their own searching because otherwise the information that is presented to them passively will probably lead them to vote for the candidate with the biggest super PAC, or the candidate who has the most money to spend on ads and other potentially voter-shifting campaigns. 

So before voting on this Presidential Election (assuming you're voting) take a look at those surveys and do a little personal research before you make your decision.