Obama backs death for 'heinous' child rapes

I agree let them both go together on this issue and propose a constitional admentment to give the states the right to implement legislation that will deter people from this type of crime. There are more crimes of this nature then there are murders. Let us protect our children.

Well, I guess I disagree with everyone. In my book murder is wrong - when we allow the government to do away with undesirables, we are all party to the murder, and are all guilty of taking life. I do not believe capital punishment should be allowed under ANY circumstances. Better to require them to live a life that benefits society in some way...we need to put our prisoners to work (while in prison)

If you have some time you should look up on the internet documentary on cost of housing inmates. each inmate cost anywhere from $30,000-$90,000 a year depending on the type of facility. Why should we pay for there crimes and allow them to live after they have hurt the only thing that stands a chance to change this world, (a child). I believe punishment by death is the only way that we can ensure the criminals will not do this again, close to 80% to violent crimes are committed by criminals that have already committed the same crime and be incarcerated previously. We let them out time and time again to commit more crimes, and unfortunately when the jails get full who gets out first??? The rapists and child molesters. They deserve Death but only if the crime can be proven without a doubt, because on the other hand Lawyers are people too and they can make mistakes, not to mention they are great at persuasion.....

I'm glad to see both senators agreeing on this. Whichever one ends up president, they'll have my full support of their stance on this issue.

They deserve Death but only if the crime can be proven without a doubt, because on the other hand Lawyers are people too and they can make mistakes, not to mention they are great at persuasion.....

And that was the crux of the Supreme's decision. The chance that the evidence is faulty, that child witnesses were coached, etc... all leads to the slightest possibility of innocence. And when there's any possibility, death should not be the sentence -- regardless of how heinous the crime is.

I'm a 45 yr old male who was repeatedly raped by my uncle (a Louisiana cop) from the time I was 3. To say that he ruined my life is an understatement. I live with this still - and he served 10 years in prison (for other children he molested) and is now out. I can't express how many areas of my life his actions have effected but he sentenced me to a life of pain and depression. He killed me a long time ago. The victims of these monsters have to live with it everyday of their lives. Why should they be allowed to live? The Supremes got this one wrong - but then again, they put Bush in office the first time. What more can we expect?

Amen to that!! I agree. Murderers, rapists, child molesters, pedophiles, you tell me what "good" they can do for society except making everyone live in fear when they are allowed to be out and about in our society!! The death penalty is NOT CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT!! The only cruel and unusual punishment is to the people who were murderd, and the poor little children and women who were raped and or sexually abused!!! To be the mother of a child who was raped or molested and know that my tax money goes to put food in the mouth of the crminal that did it would be the worst insult!!! When are we going to wake up and provide peace and security to the people of our country???

Seems to me your the type of person that no-matter what someone says its not good enogh for you! If it was your child that was raped I'm betting you'd be saying its a really big deal! How about some empathy for other s hurt and pain! Its not all about you!

Andy,

When the "news" reporters corner the guy and ask him how he feels about it, he doesn't have much choice but to respond. It isn't like he woke up, read the paper, and made a pronouncement. Reporters asked his opinion of the ruling and he told them what he though. Get over yourself! Just Sayin'

I agree. This happened 10 years ago, so she is now eighteen. She is probably trying to put this behind her

wrong boyo. I agree and I am not a child rapist. We have an anarchic system that allows death penalty. What next? cut off the arms of thieves al al the Saudis? don't think I want to go there in the 21st century

Well, they'd only steal twice now, wouldn't they ! ?

Well, they'd only steal twice now, wouldn't they ! ?

"As for the death penalty many, even if not most, of the people in our jails will eventually correct their mistakes and go on to live normal productive lives."

Actually, the statistics don't support your assertion. Per data compiled the the Department of Justice (2002), "The rearrest rate for violent offenders remained relatively stable (59.6% in 1983 compared to 61.7% in 1994. In other words, 60% of violent offenders are rearrested within 3 years, and I would argue many of those are rearrested for committing violent crimes.

I'm a liberal and, on this one, I wholeheartedly agree with Barack Obama and John McCain. I'm sick and tired of the politically correct nonsense surrounding discussions related to violent criminals and the frequent attempt of my fellow liberals to blame society, parents or, worse, victims rather than blaming the prepetrators of violent, henious crimes.

Murders and rapists are NOT the warm, cuddly beings bleeding-heart liberals make them out to be and, if liberals like Mike Farrell care for violent criminals so much, let's release them and put them in houses next door to the bleeding hearts who spend their evenings in the rain outside prisons whenever an execution occurs.

I agree, we should put those in prison next to those not see what happens. maybe rehailitation might happen maybe not. what I do know is that our current prison system is a breeder of nutjobs not a curer

I am sorry to say that your IDEA of castration is stupid to say the least. If you know anything about child molestation or rape, you'd know that it is not about SEX at all. This heinous act is about POWER over someone that is powerless/helpless. This is a crime of opportunity and very well thought out, trust me when I say this...I am a survivor and should anyone touch my child, to put it mildly the movie "FARGO" comes to mind on how to deal with this type of problem.

What a joke..Castration and rehabilitation will do no good except cost you, me and all tax payers so much money, it would be better to burn it in the fireplace to warm the house!

Wake up call America: BTW--My abuser is a white Caucasian man (REDNECK) from SC....6'3 350lbs...me-5'4 and 100 lbs. of mixed ancestry. I had the same chance as a snowball in hell with this ABUSER! BTW---I was never raped by this sorry excuse for a human, just molested and the wounds I live with are not visible, so I can't tell you if the wounds are healed nor do I think the damage he has caused me will ever go away.

Yes, I am in hyper alert state in regards to my child because of what happened to me. I am more aware of people in parks and playgrounds than I should be. Ya know, I forgot to mention the scumbag lived and he has gone underground with his perversion, to those of you that want castration and rehab, let people like this move to your city, because right now you sound like a bunch of Bleeding Heart Liberals and see how you like it when you hear that all you have done is relocated a sorry excuse for a human that hasn't stopped what they are doing and just maybe has hurt someone you care about...how would you feel about this then? Why do you think 90% of child molester's want Castrations to shorten jail time...Hello, they know as well as I do that it is not about SEX...get it!

Let's give a hand to Statue of Limitations, maybe that's what needs to be changed on the State Level. How about Prosecuting the Prosecution's wittiness that has committed a crime...whoops, forgot we live in the US of A, we don't do that here.

Also, I was molested on Government Property...Military Housing, where is my justice in all of this? A record that will haunt me and an explanation to my child when I am asked about this. Next time, I may not be so nice as to take such a small gun, note to self...take bigger gun...wait, I'm a grown human and there will be no next time. You can take that to the bank and pity the poor fool that may consider me for rape, he will die and I will live.
Wake up People or are some of you closet molester's?????

kill em all? maybe you should be checked intto an institution for a mental check. sounds like you have the same brain whacked chemistry as the rest of these folks. how soon unitl you go after somebody that has not had a fair trial? KKK member?

Jeff, do you know what it is like being raped? Molested? Sexually abused? Obviously not. From experience I can tell you it's something that doesn't go away and you live with until you die. Just try and imagine what it would be like as a boy being molested by a man that you thought was your friend, an adult you trusted. You probably can't, and you have no idea how this effects a person throughout their lives. It sux. These people destroy lives and for that they should be executed so that they cannot destroy even one more.

BTW the molesters and rapists they don't care about being fair to their victims, they don't give a damn about them. You are the one with 'brain wacked chemistry.'

Yes, Scott, I agree with you completely!! Someone should maybe rape jeff with a baseball bat and then he would know how a child feels!!! According to the majority of answers, jeff is the one that needs his head examined!

You're right...rapists were born that way and they should be accepted as normal,,they don't need you imposing your morality on them.

Darin-

If death does not equate the rape of a 2 year old, 4 year old, or 10 year old, then what would be a suitable punishment? Please tell us, inquiring minds want to know. A small child cannot handle an adult male ravaging through their tiny bodies, don't you get this? Enough physical damage can be caused to ruin a small girls reproductive organs, and let's not even get into detail about the horrid events that may take place in other areas. Again, if not death, what is a suitable punishment for the rape of an infant/toddler/small child? I am absolutely disgusted over this. These dregs of society do not even get a life sentence nowadays. Give em 5 years, and they are out. You know, in the state of NV, they issue an AUTOMATIC life sentence without parole if someone tries to rob a casino, even for a first offense. How is it that laws like this can be passed for mere robbery, yet so little is done to atone for such gross and depraved acts of perversion on children? It seems like some folks need to get their priorities straight!

nut job! they are not normal.

Luridmoon,
You have hit the nail on the head..Perfectly.
It is people like you and I that understand the damage these 'cretin's' cause in our society.

If you are not a child molester, than you should not have a problem with this law, unless you are a molester or you are related to one in which case, let that relative take your child for the weekend and see how you feel afterwards!!! Don't think for a moment that a molester can control the need to molest. Remember 'Salt Peter' for inmates, guess what, that was bogus as well.

Well written reply to Darrin. I hope he can read what was written and either get with the program or admit that he's a child molester in hiding.

For once, the crime and punishment are becoming equal...hopefully. Regarding Vegas, how stupid is that LAW????

To those that are quoting the bible...how about an eye for an eye???, or how about leaving your child or grandchild with a molester for a weekend to prove your point...yup, that's what I thought...you wouldn't do it, just in case.
But yet, you have no problem releasing these 'cretin's' into our Society, very humanitarian of you....NOT!

Stop quoting bible verses, especially if you are Catholic, what is wrong with you when the Catholic Church has admitted to having caught priest that Molest children! Total disconnect on your part, I'm not condemning the Catholic Church, just those that commit these atrocious acts.

Yes, one of my Uncles', is a Bishop in the Catholic Church and I can say this about him, he has never, ever laid a hand on a child or an adult for that matter. I would leave my child in his care on any given day..why, because he took an oath and protects those that can not protect themselves. Yes, some men of the cloth are not cut from the same cloth, but this Bishop takes his position seriously and is the humblest man you will ever meet if you are fortunate enough. Should any child come to him and discuss being abused by a Man of the Cloth, he would be the first to remove and investigate the man. He has no qualms of removing such a cretin from the Church. Yes, he has forgiveness in his heart, but he has also told me to never forget. Why, not forgetting makes you a stronger person and things happen for all types of reasons, some makes us stronger, while other's make for good excuses for bad behavior.

I'll take the high road and take responsibility for my actions, my hope is that more people would do the same. I can come up with a million excuses for being a horrible human, but I am not a horrible human and I am productive human in our community, even after all I've been through. What does this say about my character?

I can't see the use of the Bible as an example. The Ten Commandments state not to kill, but obviously it only refers to certain situations, or rather individuals versus a group or the state, as throughout many other parts of the Bible killing is named as a just action against certain crimes and actions. The few things shows from the Bible in feel good videos and children's books hardly covers the actual moral lessons and justifiable actions stated throught the Bible itself, and the commandments state generalized values which are clarified elsewhere, the commandment you use as an example being one of the big ones picked apart.

As a Christian, I refer you to Genesis 9:6 & Romans 13:4. The Ryrie Study Bible commentary says of Genesis 9:6: "Homicide (which in a sense is always fratricide, v.5) demands a punishment that matches the crime. The justification for capital punishment, here established, is the nobility of human life, which is made in the image of God. Thus murder shows contempt for God as well as for one's fellow man. See Rom. 13:4, where government is given the power of life or death." This is pre-Mosaic law & was not "struck down" by the 10 Commandments.

The commentary for Rom 13:4 says: "God has given the state the power of life and death over its subjects in order to maintain order. This word for 'sword' indicates one that was shaped like a sabre and was carried by magistrates to show that they had the power to punish, even to death. Therefore, one should hold government in healthy respect."

The Supreme Court is really out of touch. First they want to try prisoners of war in our civil courts instead of leaving that to a military tribunal, and now this! Of course, with this new ruling there's no need for anyone to hold our gov't, or at least our judicial system, in healthy respect. The perps don't have to be fearful - WE do!

I'd like to add something to my comment. For Exodus 20:13, "You shall not murder," the commentary says: "The law differentiated accidental killing from deliberate murder & required capital punishment for the latter (21:12-14) as well as for numerous other offenses (21:15-17, 29, etc.)"
Anyway, capital punishment was established, by God, in the OT & is upheld in the NT.

The commandment is best translated "Thou (masculine singular) shall not MURDER".

Violations of the Ten Commandments were punishable by death, including violating the Sabbath, even if the violation is just gathering food.  Such executions were not prohibited by the Ten Commandments, of course.

The Bible is full of the Good Guys being ordered to do mass killings, such as I Samuel 15:1-4, when the LORD, through Samuel, ordered King Saul to annihilate the Amelekites.  Ancient ethnic cleansing!  (Actually, it was revenge for something that happened in Exodus 17:8-16.)

Let's not get the Bible into this anyway.  Those were different times, anyway.  In modern warfare, we are concerned to spare civilian populations whenever possible.  That makes us different from Osama bin Laden and Timothy McVeigh.

My experience has been its easy to be on the outside of an issue and be high minded, however people change their minds when its involves someone they love. I'm also a Christian and if someone raped one of my grandkids-I would want them dead! A painfull death! I would be tempted to kill them myself! When it happens to your family-its a whole different deal.

Sister Bluebird, fortunately for the rest of us you cannot mix issues together as you like to do.

The Supreme Court got both of the decisions correct.

The Gitmo detainees have rights either under Geneva Convention or the civil process. Bush tried to thread the needle and lost.

I despise the monsters that commit crimes against children. Did you hear about the man that beat his child to death? The child was 2 years old. A motorist came upon the man as he was throwing the child to the ground and punching him. The motorist was trying to pull the man off the child and the man began to stomp the boy.

Officers arrived and shot and killed the person. It was the only way he would stop.

Those are the crimes where death is acceptable.

David, it sounds to me like you need to study this text that you claim to place your belief in a little harder. Throughout the bible killing is ordered and justified. In the New Testament Peter writes that when someone commits a grave sin it is better to stone them to death, so that by the spilling of his blood he may have a chance to be saved during the Day of Judgement. You would be suprised at the things you will discover by actually reading the bible, instead of just following the snippets your pastor reads aloud.

DR. ZEV, et.al., Yes let's be sure to keep God & His word out of every equation, discussion, venue, school, the media, life...... Listen up Bud, I was responding to David, not you. The Constitution says freedom OF religion not freedom FROM religion. I can post an opinion involving God or the Bible & I do because it IS relevant to today's issues. You see the Bible as antiquated, I see it as God's inspired word. Maybe it doesn't all fit in neatly with our views of the world but that's because it's God's view & he has a better vantage point than we do. He reveals things to us in His timing not ours, He's revealed many things but others remain hidden. I love a good mystery!

Excuse me also for using the NIV & not the KJV - boy talk abt nit picking. Then you start talking about modern warfare. Uh, THIS thread is about RAPE! Get a clue.

The Bible does have the answers for those who can see. I made a succinct comment with clear references, which you probably didn't bother to look up. If we followed God's word instead of some unaccountable numskulls in black robes we'd be a lot better off. So if you don't like it too bad - go harass a Muslim.

RED HAWK: Please reread my post carefully. I was giving justification for the death penalty. That means I do support it. Maybe I misunderstood yr comment but I don't think so.

Furthermore, altho I think these scumbags should be dead, someone suggested that if the punishment for rape is death then there would be no incentive for the perp NOT to kill the victim. That is an excellent point to keep in mind. Still, even if the death penalty is not an option, punishment should be extremely severe for any rapist: castration & life w/out parole.

I need to apologize as I misread the title of the article. It was saying McCain & Obama disagreed with the Court's decision, not with each other. Duh! Still, the focus was mostly on Obama & in that regard it was one sided.

Sister, you were right to comment, but not to apologize. This is not the first, not will it be the last pro-Obama advertisement you will see from "journalists".

Donkey, u took the words out of my mouth! Thank you!

The headline indicates that they both disagreed with the court ruling.

KRich, Thank you, I did misread that - I think they write headlines like that on purpose to cause confusion & the article was still Obama sided.

The fact that they have about five different headlines pointing to this same story isn't helping either.

you obviously are brainwashed and probably go to one of those wack job southern baptist churches. Thank the good lord jesus, god, mohammed and buda that people like you aren't smart enough to get on the SC. thank goodness it akes years under the currnt system to put people to death. DO you know how many people project innocence has saved. you have a lot of vitriol choking you up. maybe you should seek counseling before you commit a random act of violence

cite your precedents? desire of the citizens has nothing to do with anything. we live under a rule of law surely dred scott repeal and topeka vs kanasa and scopes monkey trail should have shown you that.