Capital Punishment Essays (1789 words) - Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment Capital Punishment Each year more and more people are added to death row. The death penalty is currently the harshest form of punishment enforced in the United States. The death penalty and its methods have become a controversial issue as death row becomes very populated. Important aspects of Capital Punishment are the methods of execution, costs, and the pros and cons. The death penaltys interesting history has made it what it is today. People who are against the death penalty say that it is immoral and no person should be sentenced to death (Winter 61). It has no place in a civilized society, and since the death penalty cannot be racially biased it should be banished. But people who favor the death penalty say that the criminals deserve it, and it is the only way for justice to be served. Major costs have always been an important factor when debating capital punishment. The death penalty is more expensive than life imprisonment. Lawyers are paid an extensive amount of money to keep appealing to the courts. These appeals delay the date of procedure, costing more money for taxpayers, but if there were a limit on the number of appeals allowed, the cost of the death penalty would be greatly reduced. In the end, it would cost even less than life imprisonment. It is irreversible and can be inflicted upon people who are innocent and there is no chance to make restitution to the victim and/or the victims family. Those people, who did commit felonies, deserve to be executed, and if not for capital punishment then they would be let off without paying fully for their crime. Most of the people executed are rightfully prosecuted, and it is very unlikely to make that mistake. There have been many problems concerning capital punishment. The process of convicting a felon and sentencing them to death is very long. With the conviction and sentencing always comes appeal by the convicted. The constant appeals can lead to years in court, which costs millions of dollars. This is where the problem with a convict not seeing the death penalty as a punishment for their actions. Some people might say to give the murderer life in prison. This is hardly a punishment at all. (McCuuen 28) Today, due to overcrowding in prisons, many prisoners do not serve their full sentence. Another thing about todays prisons is that the prisoners get free meals, clothes, bed, electricity, air conditioning and heating, cable and many other luxuries that make it a comfortable place to live if you get used to the people. The death penalty should be given the day after conviction. Many people believe that criminals live in prison off other peoples hard earned money. The cost keeping a person on death row and the many years, sometimes as many is twenty-five is excessively high. With new methods of presenting evidence of D.N.A., the process needs to be sped up to make the death penalty to be a more effective deterrent. Deterrence is defined, as the punishment should fit the crime.(Draper 72) Under this concept, the individual committing the crime and society are prevented from committing this action again. In the case of the death penalty, an individual kills another human and he is punished for it by death. Punishment is supposed to be a temporary penalization for a wrongful action. Death is far from temporary. One is to learn from one's mistakes. By imposing the death penalty, the individual does not learn from their mistakes and neither does society. Race continues to play an unacceptable and powerful role in capital punishment. In state death penalty cases, the race of the victim is much more important than the prior criminal record of the defender or the actual circumstances of crime. More than half of those inmates on death row are people of color, although they represent only 20% of the people of the U.S although they are about 6% of the U.S population, about 40% of those on death row are African American (Cole 33). The last problem that should be observed is that of innocence. At least twenty-three people in America have been executed who did not commit the crime they were accused of (McCuuen

The Benefits of Going Greek in College

The Benefits of Going Greek in College Weve all seen the movies and stereotypes in the media about students who join fraternities or sororities during their time in college. But given the millions of students who have gone Greek over the years, there must be some benefits, right? Despite the negative images of college Greek life, many Greek organizations have quite a lot to offer, both during and after your time in school. If youre thinking of joining a fraternity or sorority, consider the following benefits as you decide if going Greek is right for you: 10 Benefits of Going Greek in College 1. The high level of camaraderie with fellow members: The friendships you build through a fraternity or sorority often have a different feel to them than other friendships you make during your time in school. Perhaps its because of your shared values or your shared experience as members of your Greek organization. Regardless, youre likely to make strong, personal friendships that can last well past graduation day. 2. Lots of community service opportunities: Many Greek organizations are heavily involved in community service. Your Greek house may require a certain amount of volunteering each semester or may have an annual event that raises funds for a community non-profit. If youre interested in giving back during your time in school, a fraternity or sorority can offer you a lot of different options for doing so. 3. An academic support network: Even the newest college student knows to ask around when it comes to getting the skinny on classes, professors, and majors. And with the wide range of students that are members of a fraternity or sorority, you instantly have access to all kinds of knowledge about which professors, classes, and departments are the best. Additionally, if youre struggling in a class, your fraternity brothers or sorority sisters can be a great resource for tutoring and other academic advice. 4. A professional network after graduation: Many, if not most, Greek organizations offer networking opportunities to their members long after their college years. You can tap into alumni networks and make professional connections that might not have been available otherwise. 5. A wide range of leadership opportunities: Fraternities and sororities require a lot of work given their high levels of involvement and programs. Because of this, there are often multiple leadership opportunities available each year. Even if youve never held a leadership position before, testing out your leadership skills within your Greek house can be a great way to develop some skills and give back. 6. An endless stream of learning opportunities: One of the best benefits of going Greek is the wide range of learning opportunities youll be presented with. Youll meet all kinds of new people; youll participate in all kinds of new experiences; youll be presented with all kinds of new ideas. From formal, structured events to casual conversations in the house kitchen, fraternities and sororities are always challenging their members to do, learn, and act more. 7. An additional housing option: Not sure if you should live on or off campus next year? If your fraternity or sorority has a house on or near campus, the housing benefits alone might be one of the main reasons to join. You can have all of the benefits of being close to campus without all the chaos of living in a residence hall. Additionally, youll be able to build even stronger connections with your fellow sisters or brothers if you choose to live in your Greek house. Whats ​not to like? 8. There are often scholarships available: If youre a member of certain Greek organizations, you may be eligible for scholarships or other financial aid. Additionally, if youre worried about the cost of joining a fraternity or sorority, many have scholarships available to members who have trouble paying annual dues. 9. Becoming a part of a long-standing tradition: If youre on an older campus, your membership in a historic Greek fraternity or sorority might make you part of a very old, long-standing tradition. And if youre on a new campus or joining a new(er) fraternity or sorority, youre lucky enough to be at the start of something great. Either way, theres something to be said for having a role in a tradition that has stood the test of time. 10. The chance to prove stereotypes wrong: The way fraternity and sorority members are portrayed in society is unfortunate, especially given the amazing things these students do each and every day. Your role as a fraternity or sorority member gives you a great opportunity to prove these stereotypes wrong. The friendships you make, the community you build, volunteer work you do, and programs you put on can be part of a great college experience that embodies all that going Greek has to offer.