Wednesday March 6, 2013, 10:38 am
Thank you J.L.
noted

Wednesday March 6, 2013, 10:49 am
You are welcome Suheyla.

Wednesday March 6, 2013, 2:19 pm
Yep, Kudos to Bloodsworth. absolutely correct: ONE innocent killed is one TOO MANY! As you stated earlier, now the house approve the repeal! Would Maryland make #17 or #18? still many to go!

Wednesday March 6, 2013, 2:48 pm
Every death diminishes us all--worse when it is a travesty of justice. You cannot currently send a star to Angelika because you have done so within the last day.

Wednesday March 6, 2013, 3:46 pm

I wonder how many people still actually advocate for the death penalty, that is how many other than some twisted Texans. Kudos to Colbert for another great show. Thanks J L - it was another break for humor, always appreciated.

Wednesday March 6, 2013, 3:50 pm
Since you asked Kit:

Poll Shows Growing Support for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; Capital Punishment Ranked Lowest Among Budget Priorities

Unfairness, high costs, victims’ needs, and innocence are important to voters’ thinking about the death penalty

(See also this poll broken out by Catholic respondents, compared to the country as a whole. Catholics showed stronger support for alternatives to the death penalty.)

(Nov. 16, 2010, Washington, D.C.) The Death Penalty Information Center released the results of one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted of Americans’ views on the death penalty. A national poll of 1,500 registered voters conducted by Lake Research Partners shows growing support for alternatives to the death penalty compared with previous polls. A clear majority of voters (61%) would choose a punishment other than the death penalty for murder, including life with no possibility of parole and with restitution to the victim’s family (39%), life with no possibility of parole (13%), or life with the possibility of parole (9%).
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/public-opinion-about-death-penalty

Wednesday March 6, 2013, 3:52 pm
More recent:
PUBLIC OPINION: American Values Survey Shows Even Split on Death Penalty, with More Catholics Opposed

According to the 2012 American Values Survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute, Americans are now evenly divided on whether the death penalty or life without parole is the appropriate punishment for murder, while Catholics more strongly favor life sentences. The September survey found that 47% of respondents favored life without parole, while 46% opted for the death penalty. The poll showed that life without parole was favored by Democrats (57%), African-Americans (64%), Hispanic-Americans (56%), and millennials (age 18 to 29) (55%). Support for the death penalty was stronger among Republicans (59%), Tea Party members (61%), and white Americans (53%). Catholic respondents favored life without parole by a greater margin (52% to 41%) than the general population. Moreover, Catholics who attended church at least once a week were even more opposed to the death penalty (57% to 37% favoring life without parole) than those who attended less frequently.

http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/taxonomy/term/30/0?quot%3B%2Fdocuments%2FCostsPressRel_pdf="%3B%3E%3Cstrong%3EClick=

Thursday March 7, 2013, 10:37 am

It does make some sense that those who attend church, in whatever form of religion that might be, would be a bit more aware and empathic. I believe it is strongly indicative of how far we have NOT come that so many still support the taking of a live as a form of punishment. I think we all have an instinct reaction to some horrible and heinous crimes, but once the emotion passes, we are more sober and aware that far too many have died for mistakes, and sense of closure that never comes.

Thursday March 7, 2013, 11:19 am
Excellent summary of societal failings Kit.
You cannot currently send a star to Kit because you have done so within the last day.

Thursday March 7, 2013, 1:45 pm
notato grazie J.L

Thursday March 7, 2013, 2:28 pm
You are welcome Marlene.

Thursday March 7, 2013, 3:16 pm
It's cheaper to let 'em live and make them earn their way. There's plenty of labor to be done in prisons.

Thursday March 7, 2013, 3:19 pm
All the data and research support that Zee--part of why fiscal conservatives must support abolishing the death penalty.