Is the lethal injection more barbaric than beheading?

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

Q - "Who is more barbaric?"

Than who?

The decapitated head is said to live for several minutes after it is cut off...who has ever been able to say what is and is not felt? But if you are referring to the guillotine, I believe it is the public style of execution that makes it the more barbaric of the two practices.

questionnaire · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 640

All execution is, of course, barbaric.

However, beheading is extremely quick and virtually painless, whereas the recipients of lethal injections - the technique used in most US states that execute criminals except Nebraska - often writhe and scream in excruciating pain for several minutes. Three drugs are used in this form of execution (i) an anaesthetic to induce unconsciousness; (ii) a paralysing agent to stop breathing; and (iii) a toxic agent to stop the heart. As we all know, people react differently to drugs, and in many cases reactions occur which stop some of the drugs working properly as well as the allergic reactions causing extra pain to go along with the pain and extreme distress of having bodily functions closed down artificially.

For instance, it doesn't take much effort to imagine what it would be like if the anaesthetic didn't work properly. It would be the same pain and terror as that caused by being buried alive or drowning.

So. Who is more barbaric?

questionnaire · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 640

.... which is more barbaric?

Or are they both barbaric?

I thought US executions allowed onlookers?

LarreeMP3 · Joined: 12 Apr 2002 Posts: 1935

Why don't you try both and report back after you die, a$$hole.

Click here to listen to three decades of original Larree music!

questionnaire · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 640

...... Larree, just the chap we need.

Dt is wondering when brain-death occurs after execution. Being brain-dead, perhaps you could throw some light on this. What does it feel like? When you m*sturbate, do you sense any pleasure or do you just make your trousers all wet and sticky?

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

Allowing a very limited amount of onlookers in a small room is very different than holding a public execution in the middle of, say, Times Square...or Picadilly.

BTW, what is the purpose of your question? It certainly covers no recent political grounds...?

HKRockChick · No More Peas! Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 1513

like we are really considering the question?

Personally I think taking a life is barbaric, by whatever means. Whether in wars or in prison.

and I HATE hanging. Apparently this is still being done in some places in India. :seismo

I hope they stop it.

:gl

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

Barbaric, yes...but unfortunately something that I think is sometimes necessary. I'd still like to see my "Deserted Island" prison idea put to the test. That would at least cut the killing down some.

HKRockChick · No More Peas! Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 1513

do you know what Australia once was?

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

Yes...a penal colony for Great Britain, right? What do I win!

Actually, I would prefer they all govern themselves without guards, etc to regulate their actions. That's part of the punishment! I think once word got out about this island, people would be a little more hesitant to do what it takes to be put there. No paroles or pardons.

Galmin · The King has spoken! Joined: 30 Dec 2001 Posts: 1711

Quote:
I'd still like to see my "Deserted Island" prison idea put to the test.

Quote:
Australia?

Quote:
Actually, I would prefer they all govern themselves without guards, etc to regulate their actions. That's part of the punishment! I think once word got out about this island, people would be a little more hesitant to do what it takes to be put there. No paroles or pardons.

Like Debbie says, this has already been tested. Look at Australia, today a part of the coalition of the willing.

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

There was a contingent of soldiers on Australia to enforce Britains will as long as they were using it for a penal colony, so, not exactly, Galmin.

questionnaire · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 640

"BTW, what is the purpose of your question? It certainly covers no recent political grounds...?"

Of course it does. Some Americans and Europeans have the habit of calling other cultures 'barbaric', which of course is a powerful justification to invade them 'civilize' them and install free-market 'democracy'. So it's very political indeed.

I'm suggesting that the American method of execution is possible more barbaric than anyone else's.