Quote Originally Posted by MMI View Post
Thorne's position is as well-known to me as mine is to him. To some extent I can respect his arguments, but I reject them all as either incorrect or vengeful.
Thank you for that respect. Yes, we've gone over this numerous times, and have yet to come even close to an agreement. I can respect your arguments as well, and even agree with some of them.

But I do have to say that there are evil people in this world. People who are a threat to anyone they may meet. A Charles Manson or a Ted Bundy or a John Gacy should never, ever be permitted even to think about parole or freedom. They should be kept away from the rest of society permanently. Yes, a true life sentence could accomplish this, if applied properly. But escapes from prisons do occur. And villains who should never be paroled have been. All it takes is some idiotic do-gooder to come along and say, "Oh, he's paid for his crimes, and he's been a model prisoner, and oh my, he's become a devout Christian and so must be rehabilitated. Set him free to live a good life." Is it possible he would never kill again? Certainly, it's possible. Is it likely? I don't believe so. Manson has, IIRC, admitted that he would have no qualms against killing again if released.

I will always advocate for executing these kinds of evil people. I believe they have earned that punishment, and we owe it to their victims and, more importantly, to the families of the victims, to deliver that quality of justice.