Humanist Discussion on Capital Punishment

 

 On Sunday October 11, the weekly discussion of the SL Humanist group took place, though the topic was a real-life news issue. In the United States, there had recently been a botched execution of a convicted murderer that failed and the criminal was recovering in the hospital. Plus, a soldier-turned-terrorist who committed mass murder against his comrades had recently been sentenced to death by firing squad. But what got more attention was the decision by the Secretary of War to have the execution broadcasted live. America hasn't had a public execution in almost a century, let alone having one on television or livestream.

 

With recent news about failed lethal injection executions and planned public firing squad executions, perhaps now humanists might wish to ponder what constitutes an ethical approach to capital punishment.  What do you think? 

 

The meeting took place at 2PM.  I ended up forgetting to take a picture during the event. There were a little more than a dozen people at the discussion. Seaplane Jonson:, the lady who gave the announcement, cautioned the crowd, "while we chat today, might be wise to keep your head about you." And I was handed a notecard for new attendees, suggesting new people mostly just sit and listen. And well, as the reporter, that was what I was going to do anyway.

 

There was a quick consensus about the idea of a televised execution. Everyone who spoke was against it. "There are many people who I think should die for there crimes - it is very bad to make that into a spectacle." "Especially when the US Government wants to make snuff films." "The public part is gross.  it's a throwback to the days where authoritarians wanted to scare people into submission." "I have a problem with the US promoting snuff films. How will it be monetized for a select few and normalized for pretty much anything if this proceeds?" "Public lynchings used to be a form of public entertainment until it was outlawed. To allow a public execution of a person in a wheelchair sets a standard that violence is the answer to everything." "Totally barbaric."

On the idea of capital punishment, the opinions were more mixed. The majority of the crowd of Americans and some Europeans seemed to be against the idea."Can't say i've ever been comfortable with the idea of capital punishment.  something arrogant about methodically killing somebody." "My viewpoint is that the state killing people is a violent act, and propagates a spirit of violent retribution through a society which is not wise with so many marginal personalities, especially those heavily armed and dangerous in the United States." "I tend to agree. If killing is seen as justice, then whenever someone feels like justice has not been carried out, then they can point to state-sponsored killing as justification for applying the same punishment." "There might be a bit of a Luigi in any one of us." "I think that so long as executed people are occasionally found to be innocent, we should not execute them."

 

Others were in favor. "We have pretty stringent procedures involved in death penalties - as is proper - but once the penalty is assessed it is cruel to keep a person on death row for decades and crueller to botch the execution." "Is it humane to keep people locked in cells for decades till they die?" 

 

And some expressed opinions showing mixed feelings, "I think some people should never be released.  The execution VICTIM in Tennessee for instance seems to be a consequence of ALCOHOL FETAL SYNDROME, aside from having experienced repeated rapes herself as a child.  I doubt she is safe to be with people and as I understood it, she also killed another inmate in prison." 

 

Should a woman sentenced to death get medical care to save her life? "I was struck by the fact when the execution failed heroic attempts were made to save the woman's life"  "Is it the moral thing to save someone due to die after a failed execution. They will just do it again. Why not let her die??" "She survived but was dying - she was unconscious - why not just let her die?"

 

One extreme example of mass murder, when someone machine-gunned down close to 80 kids in Norway  (which has very strict gun laws)in 2011. "If anyone deserved a death penalty, it would be him, but they gave him maximum imprisonment." "Norway doesn't have (life) sentence. The max is 35 years. At the time." "I just asked google's AI. Norway doesn't have cap. pun. or life sentencing, BUT a minimum sentence for some crimes which can then be re-evaluated and extended for another five years at a time. In principle indefinitely, so Breivik is not getting out anytime soon."

 

The difference between American and some European countries' attitudes to punishment of criminals was brought up, sometimes with a sour look at the former,  "I think if a society has capital punishments, it is reflective of their collective consciousness. And to be real, American is de-evolving, for the most part. Going backwards to a time of might and not brains, not critical thinking. I don't think you can prevent murder, even with capital punishment, when society doesn't teach one how to handle emotions, tough situations and how to have empathy." "I would just like to say  that I have this evenings conversation very disheartening and disappointing that so many called civilized still believe that capital punishment is ok as long as the rules are met." "I keep thinking there's going to be an end to how ashamed I am of this country but there seems to be no end."

 

Similar sub-topics were brought up, "Suppose you are in a jury with your opposition to. capital punishment. Somehow you are accepted because the attorney forgot to ask about your stance on the topic. Would you vote for it, according to the law, or against it based on your principles?" " In time, I think AI ROBOTS could be good replacements for human prison guards." "The fact is, that ANYTIME there is a confrontation resulting in an altercation or something like it, there is a risk that someone will die.  Sometimes homicide is a consequence of things spinning out of control.  Humans are potentially savage and dangerous." Vegetarianism was also briefly discussed. 

 

It was also asked what was the precedent of someone sentenced to death surviving their execution. I myself did an Internet search and responded the cases varied, "there were a number of instances of people sentenced to hang, and survived. Some were simply rescheduled for another execution. But others had their sentence commuted to life imprisonment. At least one commuted to life was later released from prison years later."

The debate went on to the end. "Capital punishment has been shown to have no deterrent effect." "Well - what does a society do with very bad people?"

I should note this wasn't the only discussion I've seen online related to the plans to televise the execution of the convicted terrorist. A few people on my Facebook feed brought it up, all calling it a bad idea. There was talk about it in a few Discord servers.  The host of one posted a news story about it, followed by "What the f*** ... Disgusting." And there were a few short comments in agreement. In a second, someone commented, "It is not true this would be the first public execution in a hundred years. ICE publicly executed a man and a woman." And in one community Discord thread, several people spoke out about it. The majority were in favor of the execution being livestreamed, "We have to do this. This is the only way terrorists will know their actions will get them killed." But there was one voice of dissent, "There is no argument about the penalty. But there is no need to make it into a public spectacle that makes him a matyr. Get rid of him, dispose of him like the trash he is, then let him be forgotten. Shoot, shovel, and shut up."

 

A few hours after the Humanist discussion, this community Discord would have a movie night. The movie happened to be "Demolition Man." For those who haven't heard of it, it takes place in a future society in which people have become so reluctant to use physical force, when a psychopath escapes jail they are helpless to deal with him. So they bring a 1980s cop out of hibernation to stop him. I couldn't help but think this was what many on the political right think of those opposed to the death penalty. 

 

Maybe someday, like the cop says near the end, we can "find a happy medium." 

 

To my knowledge, the Humanist discussions take place ever Sunday at 2PM SL time at ROMA (253,238,31)

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

*Addition* For my own thoughts on the matter: Click Here for my commentary on my "Food On The Table."

*Second Addition* For those who don't know, the plans to televise the terrorist's execution were canceled.

 

Election Night 2008 in Second Life

This article is reprinted from Second Life Newspaper. It can no longer be accessed from there as after the paper was shut down, most of the sections, including the one where it was archived, was closed to public access.

Election coverage in Second Life was different four years ago than from today. The Grid was still in the public eye, and months earlier politicians Newt Gingrich and Mark Warner had made inworld appearances. Real life news media would occasionally stop by areas in Second Life with political activity, notably Cafe Wellstone for the left, the Straight Talk Cafe for the right, and Capitol Hill which was officially neutral. Also, with no incumbent, the election was considered more wide open, and more people were interested in this race between a grizzled old war hero and a promising up and coming Senator.


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After nearly two years, the 2008 American Presidential Election finally came to a close with millions of citizens turning out to the polls. And in Second Life, many got together to watch the returns come in.

Going around, I found a few amusing sights, such as someone running around Capitol Hill in his skivvies. When offered a campaign button in jest to put there, he declined, “I’m weird, not vulgar.” Then left shortly afterward. A lady there told me there was interest in the election overseas, “I spoke to a guy from Portugal this morning and asked him if there was a sense of excitement there about the U.S. election today. And, he said that there is a lot of interest in his country, and most people see Obama as the winner.”

 Checking out the Obama HQ in Silicon Island, a few had arrived before polls closed. They were looking forward to victory, both the Dems and some European visitors, with a few having sour words for the opposition. Asking them what an Obama Presidency will bring, they told me, “eventually, an Obama Presidency will bring a stable middle class, which will create a stable economy, and more employed home owners,” “PEACE,” “ a year and our economy will be creating clean energy jobs.” I later saw a couple avatars that were caricatures of Pailin and Obama, the Pailin one joking, “Well, don't tell McCain that I'm with Barack. He'll be pissed, ha ha! But I LOVE this man.” Later, the two went to SL Capitol Hill, the Barack caricature wearing a Superman suit.

Cafe Wellstone, another pro-Democratic area, had a small crowd early in the night, mostly confident of victory, “And TOGETHER we will begin the next great chapter in the AMERICAN STORY.” Though some were anxious. Later on when I tried going there, the sim was maxed out and closed to me.

Heading to the Republican’s Straight Talk Cafe, there were not just the regulars, but some liberals had also dropped in to debate them, some barbs traded between the two sides. A few branded him communist. More Conservatives were saying they could not vote for a charismatic leader they knew little about. Some also expressed worries about more trouble with Islamic terrorism. Asking them what they could expect of a McCain Presidency, one answered, “I expect McCain and Pailin to grow jobs, restore out image around the world, and secure victory in the wars we are fighting.”

As time went on, states were declared as polls closed and tallies were taken. Finally around 8 PM SL time in the Capitol Hill sim, “This is it.” “... here it goes!!” “Oh my God! Noooo!” “This will decide it.” “Nooo.” After a few more comments of the sort, Kiwini Oe went, “Well, now we’re a bit over the top! 304/143.” “Congratulations,” Kei Mona announced, “We have a new President.  We welcome President-Elect Obama and VP-Elect Biden.” “Oh my God! As soon as he won, my MSN crashed!”

Princess Ivory had this to say, “Do you all realize that this is a historic election not just for the US, but for SL? 4 years ago SL wasn't as popular. In the past, we would gather with our neighbors and family in the living room and watch the election results on television. Now we sit and watch our avatars sit together, and listen to the BBC broadcast from another window. Incredible. Who could have forseen it?! ... I think that this is one of those elections, regardless of its outcome, that will go down in the history books as being a significant moment of change in the way we communicate, share data, etc. And the immediacy of the online environment tends to mobilize people. They don't feel so alone. They are part of something larger.”

Checking the Obama HQ, they had set up some bright glow-balls, bathing the interior of the building in light. And with victory declared, many were dancing away. Some were clearly rubbing it in, “Eight years of opression is over!” “... he and his followers are finished!” Others were more conciliatory, “McCain sowed respect to Obama and showed humbleness.” After McCain’s concession speech, one remarked, “McCain has asked all Americans to support Obama.” One lady in voice and chat told everyone, “I'm an American Ex-Patriot in France and for the first time in a LONG time, I am proud to be an American that the USA was able to overcome racism and elect the first black president.” She put her son up to the microphone, whom began singing.

Then a couple came in, telling everyone they had just been banned from the Straight Talk Cafe, saying they ran through the place naked, “StreaKIN THE rEPS!!” Heading over, the main group of avatars had gone from the Cafe to the deck outside another building, where the Conservatives found no peace in their candidate conceding defeat, Obama supporters coming in to harass them. One was commenting how wonderful Obama’s election was as it would help usher in a world government, but it was unclear if he really meant that or was trying to aggravate the conservatives by invoking a conspiracy theory.

“You voted to suffer.” One Republican lady told them, “I voted for the man who tried to free my country, Vietnam.” “Any comments on what the Republican will do now?” I asked them. “Regroup.” “We need to clean house and get back to our conservative roots.” “1) Clean house in the RNC. 2) Take a few Leadership Institute courses 3) start promoting limited government candidates who believe what they say 4) pain(t) ever action by Obama as the socialist pickpocketing that it is. 5) Win the 2010 and 2012 elections.” One soldier sighed, “I will go to base tomorrow, keep working, kiss my wife goodbye for a year in March, and hope I am not shot when Obama makes me run from Iraq.” Some wondered if they could have done better with another candidate. Others felt there were not many realistic alternatives to whom they had chosen.

Outside the political sims, people told me about two clubs, Star Tails and Cutlass, having election-themed parties. Cutlass called theirs an “Election Reconciliation” party, with a poledancer in red, white, and blue. Stopping by Luskwood to chat, one asked me if the Straight Talk Cafe was griefed with Obama particles.

Stopping by Capitol Hill one final time, there were fireworks in the air to mark the end of this long campaign.


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Four years later, Capitol Hill and the Straight Talk Cafe, later renamed the GOP Cafe, are gone. Cafe Wellstone is still around. Fewer people seem interested in the election, as one real life columnist put it, the days of "Hope and Change" are long gone.


Bixyl Shuftan