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I fully understand the definition of capital punishment. I would truly hope that if I were to break in such a way that I would be put to death. Even five minutes of clarity in a life time knowing that I hurt my children would be cruel and unusual punishment to me. I also believe that sometimes the actions are so heinous that their state of mental health is inconsequential.
In a neighboring community a young man recently abducted a toddler and sexually assaulted him. It was later discovered that this sad soul is a repeat offender. In addition to mental illness, this boy (19) is also mentally challanged, he had been released from a mental health facility into the care of a family member (identity not revealed at this time) because the state was aware that he would attack again if given the opportunity. My heart bleeds for him and most of his family. He truly does not understand that what he did is wrong. I do not think prison, where he would himself be abused, is the right place for him. I think the person that took responsibility for him and failed to live up to that obligation deserves to be severely punished. I have no PC answer as to what his fate should be. But I strongly believe that being mentally ill does not give you carte blanche.
My personal beliefs on capital punishment aside, a person has an obligation to him/herself to lead as healthy a lifestyle as possible. As my dear friend Tishie has pointed out to me several times, you cannot put your own health at risk in an effort to save someone else. I know for a fact that Tishie has put her own stability on the line in an effort to help other people only to be rewarded with pain, heart ache and frustration. I for one see it as personal growth that she is able to spot someone that brings more bad than good to her life and take preventive steps.
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I've been married for 24 years and have four wonderful children.
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