Lethal Injection is one of the most controversial topics in America today. Over the last century, Americans have witnessed a dramatic change in the way the death penalty is applied to criminals, some of these ways include: Death by firing squad, hanging, and electrocution. In the 19th and early 20th centuries hanging was the most popular way to kill a criminal, nowadays we hear the term, “Lethal Injection” and know that means “Death Penalty.” I have devised a map of who is for lethal injection, who is against, and also the effects and the affected. This is a tricky subject considering not only controversial, but also ironic. The murderer is put to death by lethal injection, and the mothers of the original victims sometimes do not want the criminal to be put to death but rather locked up in a cage. Being in the Marine Corps, thus having a different culture than most, I see no problem with the death penalty, but I do understand the controversial use of lethal injection. How do we know it is painless? What exactly makes it more humane than other forms of sentencing? What qualifies use of the lethal injection. In the military we have only one cause for the death penalty, which is only by lethal injection now, and that is desertion during a time of war. That is THE ONLY time anyone can be put to death amongst America’s “tough guys.”
There are two types of lethal injection, the three drug process and the single drug, both of which have the same outcome J. The three drug uses a narcotic (anesthetic) followed by two more drugs that stop the heart from pumping. The single dose is actually just a large dose of anesthetics. In all reality while making this map I am leaning toward more of a “For” lethal injection rather than opposed. The criminal gets high and dies stupid, like many Americans today will do on their own anyway. If it was just the separate injections that follow the narcotics then maybe I would be opposed but the criminal is going to die feeling better than ever. I do think that this punishment is sort of humiliating because the victim’s family are some of the few allowed to view. Do the courts automatically assume that vengeance is found by watching someone die?
This sort of topic you’ll always have people who are against it, I don’t think that there will ever reach an agreement on if it should be or shouldn’t be used. Although it is used today, one of the main reasons that some people are against it is that, as crazy as it sounds, it costs more money to put people to death rather than give them just a prison sentence. I do believe that there should still be the death penalty, if there is that serious of a crime, it needs to be dealt with the up-most discipline.
ReplyDeletecommented this on your other post: I completely agree with you! I really like the questions you presented as well, it does bring up some interesting points. I am doing my essay on lethal injection as well and it is obviously so controversial. Your map looks really good because you have brought up many different viewpoints even though you are leaning more towards the for side of the spectrum.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bryce, this is the type of topic that will be debated forever and it will almost never come to an end. Although a good amount of people disagree with the death penalty I agree with Chris and say that it should stay and be used. The map Chris made is very accurate and is going to be a very good set up for your essay.
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ReplyDeleteChris, you seem to have a pretty good map that clearly outlines the side that's for and the side that's against a particular argument or belief. Having 2 sides that show simply "For" and "Against" makes it simple to read, and thus powerful as a tool. Your map seems to show all the people and groups who are for or against lethal injection. There are even some groups that you stated that are not commonly thought about, such as the conservatives and liberals. Additionally, your questions help encourage questioning arguments and sides, in order to see minute differences between arguments. Your chart, along with your guiding questions should help get you on your way to a solid essay. One thing that I would recommend is adding a little bit of info, perhaps in the form of bullet points, to each of the groups under both "For" and "Against". This would help show the key differences' between different groups' views, and thus help you have a better understanding of all the stakeholders in an argument.
ReplyDeleteFor an example, you can check out my map, which shows how I set it up to include arguments:
http://i.imgur.com/GGNIXwE.png