my opinion is totally against the death penalty at all costs. there are several reasons:

it actually costs more to put someone to death than to keep them alive (if you don't believe me talk to my boyfriend with a degree in criminology).

who are we to say that killing someone is okay?

killing someone doesnt deter violence. we kill someone to show that killing someone is wrong? that doesnt make any sense.

also, wishing any kind of harm upon the person who violated you just brings them down to their level. what better person are you if you would do something of the same, if not worse, effect to them? doesnt that make you the same as them? they wished harm on you and made it happen. you wish harm on them and make it happen. whats the difference?

in the end, leading a better life IS the ultimate revenge. and if you want to take a vindictive standpoint - death is an easy way out. wouldnt you want them to suffer in jail knowing what they did everyday of their lives? people who rape and molest little kids are beaten in jail. even to criminals, they are lower than low. they are scum of the earth to other criminals in jail. so wouldnt you rather them to tortured everyday of their lives?

thats taking the revenge approach to it. and finally, it just scares me to think that i could have such sick thoughts of killing someone.

when i think of my ex boyfriend, i dont think of pain or torturing him and "making him pay" anymore. i think of how much he is suffering. i think of how much therapy would help him and how bad of a childhood he had growing up. i have empathy and sympathy for him and wish he could get better, not die. its taken a couple of years to finally feel that way but i honestly do now. i think getting to that point is just simply growing as a person and everyone does it at their own rate.

to say it just to vent is one thing. but to never allow yourself to get to the point where you can say "im okay" is another and to actually wish a harm that goes to the point of death is on a totally different playing field.

hope i didnt offend. and please dont think im speaking out of context. i know i have not been through as much as you, rhap and i dont mean to belittle you or demean your pain and suffering. just thought id offer another perspective.