The Long Awaited...

Okay all, I'm about to present my dearly beloved essay on Capital Punishment to you. I have thought a long time about allowing outsiders to see my young 'child' but after much consideration, I've decided that you are all semi-nice people ;P and it can't do much harm. Here goes, Persuasion essay for English. ::::::::::::::


For the last three centuries, there has been ceaseless conflict regarding the legitimacy of the death penalty. Some say it is too harsh and barbaric; others rejoin that it has its place and should indeed be used when appropriate. I cast my lot with the latter, and further, I contend that capital punishment is absolutely necessary for the survival of the justice system and maintaining a sense of guilt in the American people. Justice demands serious, permanent action to be taken against grave offenders, that victims of crime should be granted full compensation, and that others be deterred from committing similar crimes by example of the punishment sentenced to previous transgressors. No other form of punishment satisfies these requirements; not parole, manual labor, fines or even life in prison. Only the death penalty has what is necessary to serve justice in severe cases. This statement can be proved logically, legally, historically, and from a religious point of view.

Firstly, consider what justice is; it is the rendering of all that is due in a particular, individual circumstance. When a crime is committed, a burglary, for example, it is imperative that the criminal reimburse all money stolen and the value of what inconvenience his crime caused; this much is commonplace. When a man is guilty of slander, pilfering public funds, or any such offence, there must be a public retraction or repayment, but also some service to the public at large. This could take the form of community work, personally repairing the damage, fines, or short imprisonment. The punishment must fit the crime, however; no lesser and no greater. This is what justice means.

But here I have spoken of minor offenses. The perpetrators now mentioned, if justly sentenced, would assuredly learn from their mistakes and cease to violate the law. Certainly a death sentence has no place among petty theft and character assassination. Its place lies with murder, rape, child molestation, and inexorable felons; those who have committed crimes too great or numerous to remunerate in a single lifetime. Not all crimes can be repaid in the same manner in which they were committed. One cannot subject the offender to the same atrocities that he himself is guilty of. Knowing what vile crimes there are, this would be inhumane and a total conflict of interest. The only just action in the case of murder and brutal behavior is to take the offender’s life, the instrument with which he destroyed the life of another. As for those with innumerable offenses, after 176 years in prison their debt to society may be paid, but no felon will live that long, and his debt would go unpaid. This is unjust. The death penalty is also for those irreformable criminals who are a constant threat to the general welfare. Even persons opposed to the use of capital punishment grant this. “The death of a citizen cannot be necessary, but in one case. When, though deprived of his liberty, he has such power and connections as may endanger the security of the nation….” (Cesare Beccaria).

Human life is of infinite value and an absolute right; thus the constitution, government and judicial courts have always stated, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 3), and if one individual steals this divine right from a fellow citizen, he consequently forfeits his own claim to life; he pays for the life he took, with his own. “If you kill another, you kill yourself” (Immanuel Kant). This is the only way human life receives its full value, and the sole manner in which the victim can receive absolute justice and therefore be ‘avenged’. To assign merely a life sentence to a murderer is to cheapen the worth of innocent life; it is to put taking innocent life on the level of robbery and drug dealing. Furthermore, if death were not the punishment for such crimes as murder, think how many more killings and violent crimes we would face. What would there be to stop criminals in their tracks? Surely not life imprisonment; only so many life sentences can be heaped on one offender. Come on, what’s one more? This is no threat to prospective murderers. The fact is that the sentence of execution deters potential lawbreakers from criminal behavior.

Some say that the death penalty is unconstitutional, violating the eighth and fourteenth amendments on cruel and unusual punishment. However, the American justice system doesn’t think that claim to be true. In the case of Trop v. Dulles, (356, U.S.), Mr. Chief Justice Warren stated:
“Whatever arguments may be against capital punishment, both on moral grounds and in terms of accomplishing the purposes of punishment… the death penalty has been employed throughout our history, and, in a day when it is still widely accepted, it cannot be said to violate the constitutional concept of cruelty”.

And refusing a review in the death penalty case, Callins v. Collins, Justice Antonin Scalia confirmed that:
“The Fifth Amendment provides that ‘[n]o persons shall be held to answer for a capital…crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury…nor be deprived of life…without due process of law’. This clearly permits the death penalty to be imposed and establishes beyond doubt that the death penalty is not one of the ‘cruel and unusual punishments’ prohibited by the Eighth Amendment” (Congressional Quarterly Researcher, Vol. 5, No. 9).

Another reason for the preservation of the death penalty is that of its lengthy existence and success. Capital punishment has been employed as a deterring means for centuries, and from this fact it can be deduced that this form of punishment is effectual and does indeed have value. Obviously it works, or it would have been abandoned long ago. But, even if it didn’t work in deterring other criminals, it has still protected countless innocent persons from potential harm. John McAdams makes a very good point:
“If we execute murderers and there is in fact no deterrent, we have killed a bunch of murderers. If we fail to execute murderers, and doing so would in fact have deterred other murderers, we have allowed the killing of a bunch of innocent victims. I would much rather risk the former”.

There is a also religious side of this debate about capital punishment. Is the death penalty moral? Is it ethical to take the life of a murderer, ever? even if it be to prevent further crimes? The Bible, the highest written authority in the Christian world, says yes. It is written, “Whosoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed: for man was made to the image of God” (Gen. 9:6) and “wrongdoers thou shalt not suffer to live” (Ex. 22:18). It does not mean that the ordinary citizens can go around avenging their lost ones. This condemnation is to be exercised by the government. This is shown if you read further, “For [the ruler] is God’s minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God’s minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil” (Romans 13:4). It’s interesting to note that the passage says ‘sword’, the instrument of execution; this obviously refers to capital punishment.

It’s also worthy of notice that, perhaps surprisingly, the majority of Americans support the death penalty. A poll taken by ABC News/Washington Post of 1082 adults in April of 2005 shows that 65% of Americans favor the death penalty for convicted murderers; 29% opposed, 6% undecided. And for the abduction and murder of children, a whopping 71% feel that the death penalty should be mandatorily sentenced, as shown in a 2002 Fox News poll of 900 adults nationwide (see citations). We can see that it’s a minority that opposes capital punishment; being a democracy, America is therefore pro death penalty.

So it is seen that capital punishment is necessary for justice to be served in grave cases, for the dignity of the victim to be protected, and for the discouragement of future crimes. Furthermore, the constitution and judicial courts, the Bible and the majority of Americans, condone the legality of the death penalty, as well as our ancestors from centuries ago. With these facts in mind, it’s hard to suppose that even a 29% can be in opposition to the historic means of punishment here considered.

In an Irrational World

My reflections today lead me in the way of conflicting arguments; how people often claim one stance, but simultaneously hold view on another topic that completely contradicts the principle involved in the former. I know you're dying for examples... Certain individuals state that the death penalty is wrong, ruthless and disrespectful to human life. I can see how people have this view of it; not my own but at least, it's understandable. What boggles me, is these same people are pro-abortion!! Apparently, the only human life of value must be outside the womb. If someone hits you, oh, that's abuse. Sue them, why not? You'd probably win. But the unborn? Nah, you can mutilate their young bodies, discard their very souls with no qualms of conscience. And how is this manner of death any more humane than the other?? I mean, really, killing a being before he's had a chance to see his mother's face. Even a convicted felon on death row is allowed his last words. Are our smallest innocent citizens to be refused their first?

The Best Things about Writing College Essays

1) it's convenient way to formulate your thoughts and prove a point; 2) you can come down as hard as you need to in your arguments; it's your 'right', and hey, just get it out of your system cuz profs love strong papers; 3) you know at least one person will read it; 4) chances are, you'll express your idea well and get a good grade. As proof of these statements, an example. I recently wrote a very short essay on the differences between man and woman, emotionally and in society. It was the easiest thing; decide what aspects you want to examine, divide it up into successive points and write. Just spill out what you've been dying to shout out at your fellow students for weeks! :D As a result, my prof told me to go into journalism. Needless to say this surprised me; until I proof-read my neighbor's draft essay. Thank God for a cultured education! that's all I can say. But that is for another post.

So life continues after the weekend. Being in college puts a whole new light on things. I find it interesting that suddenly there is more responsibility, but at the same time, you get away with more. You have to get your assignments done on time, you are held accountable for your actions, but then there is this stereotype that all college students are party animals who are incapable of creditable work. Sorta weird.

Ever wondered just what you are doing with your life? I mean, here I am at 9am on a Monday morning, on a computer listening to the West Side Story soundtrack waiting for classes to start. What the heck am I working for? I have an answer, thank God. But all throughout campus, there are students who have no clue what life is about, much less what they want to do with theirs. What GOD wants them to do. Man, how depressing. I have to stop.

"The most beautiful sound I ever heard. Maria."

In choir, we are now working on the Lord Nelson Mass, by Franz Haydn. It's so magnificent. I feel like a cheater, in a way, not having to learn the Latin. But it soon swells to pride at the mystique and grandeur of the Catholic culture, of which we Americans have no conception. I am so going to Europe. Don't know when, but I'm going.

Avid Lotr Rebirth

Okay, so I've been wasting too much of my time on the computer lately..... but I have found some of the awesomest ;P sites! Go here for a good laugh. I found them highly amusing. Must say I'm now obsessed with Wilbur.

I got a haircut on Tuesday. Why are certain hair types so frizzy? shucks! But I got up early this morning to put curlers in. The frizz is okay now. wait til tomorrow.
Early mornings don't agree with me. Maybe I don't agree with them. At any rate, our relationship is about to be terminated.
Survived yesterday; this is cause for rejoicing. Huge choral concert this weekend. very exited. I get to ride a bus. yea.

Latuh.

Fall is in there air everywhere here in western Minnesota. And my site looks autumny. yay! I'm working on a descriptive essay right now, on Memory. It's actually alot more difficult than it sounds. You have to explain the concept of memory, what it is and how it works and what it does, to someone who has never heard of it. yeah, interesting.
We have to do a poster for Cell Bio again. Rats! The draft is due next Wednesday. SO annoying! Don't get me wrong, I love the lecture, the professors and the learning. I just HATE THE LAB! No, I dislike it with a passion. :)
I'm debating whether or not I should go to English. It started at 2, but my paper' s not finished yet. I guess I could finish it, and get over there for the last half hour, but I'm at a dead end right now, mentally. Gosh, I hate that.

My life is pretty much on the up and up lately. Good things happen in bulk.

I survived the poster and essay due last week, actually caught up with French oooon..Monday, and I love my choir director. The concert on Tuesday was positively fanastic! All the choirs sang wonderfully and the soloists weren't too bad either *winkwink* I just can't express enough how awesome it is to be in an organized choir. Progress is bound to be made. And our director is the coolest!! He really understands the voice and how to use it most effectively. MAN, it's fun!

I have been recently told that I should seriously consider a writing career.
ME: WhAt? I don't even like writing! And I don't unless I have to.
Eng. Prof: Well, I never would have guessed, you put so much into it.
ME: Okay, I just had an opinion about that particular topic, that's why I wrote on it.
Eng. Prof: That's the way you should do it. There are only three people in this class I'm really pushing to go on with writing and you're one of them. You have the gift.
Isn't that weird? Gall, now I'm all jumbled again. I mean, I was gonna do massage next year, maybe cosmotology after that and then maybe go back for an English major. Go figure.
My voice teacher is pushing me too. I'm going to a voice competition the first weekend in November. It promises to be really exciting, and a great learning experience as well. Gosh, there is so much talent here at MSU; I feel very young.

Side note: Chicken Little opens on my birthday!!! Woohoo!

And the Boredom goes ON!

As you may suppose, I have nothing whatever to write here, random or no. You see me now in moment of mental frenzy, attempting to uncover some, however pointless, information from this over-used brain of mine. But none now avails itself to be found, so I leave you as ignorant as when you first arrived. Live well and don't forget to remind yourself of certain things you may not remember.

More edifying thoughts.....

Have you ever thought of how amazing the human voice is?? Just sit back and THINK about it..... Honestly, it's astounding how much potential there is in this invaluable ability that we take for granted... Just one set of vocal chords makes it possible to talk, laugh, groan, (and my personal favorite): SING!
There are so many different sounds you can make with your voice. One person is capable of singing opera, pop, rock, Gregorian Chant, country, jazz, you name it.... many varying styles and sounds, yet one voice.
The voice is man's main method of communication; and the vast number of languages through which this is done is phenomonal! Accents are numerous as well. Some are melodious and sweet, just as others grate on the ear, yet the same basic organ make-up is responsible for all sound. It is through the voice that one makes known to others his compassion, joy, ambitions, anger; his apologies, his love. But it is by this same great power that men lie and defile the innocent, that they swear and curse the very Being Who gave them their faculty. Is this not arrogance and grave ingratitude to so repay the Creator and Bequeather of the majestic gift of articulation?

Is yond despised and ruined man? Full of decay and failing? What an alteration of honor has desperate want made!

Just take a moment to appreciate the glory of the English language...... English is the language of Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, William Wordsworth, Thomas More, (and Henry Higgins!) Not to mention Walt Whitman, Mark Twain, Longfellow & Louisa May Alcott . It is truly sad that in schools today our language is not taken seriously, and those who speak it well are looked upon as "cukes". (sorry, I had to!) How hard is it to use "I" only in the nominative case and "me" in the objective? And how many times must one explain that in most instances, "good" is an ADJECTIVE?!?!?!?! English is being watered down by a slow but toxic starving of the human mind... How often does the average American have to pick up the dictionary just to read Shakespeare?? What has happened to all the words like infantile, mendicant, pertinacious, diffidence? It is better not to read and write at all, than to abuse the language of your heritage.

Go have an exemplary day now!!