Domestic Violence

During the presentations on Friday, a particular one hit me close to home... domestic violence. Katie's presentation on domestic violence, brought a few new facts that I never knew and found shocking. Where three women are murdered everyday by a boyfriend, or husband. The static is shocking extremely shocking considering that is 1,095 women killed a year! This got me to thinking how many women are really suffering out there, that aren't saying anything. Why do the men abuse the women? To feel superior? 1 in 3 women report to being in (or at one point) an abuse relationship. How much higher is the ratio for women who don't report being in an abusive relationship? The fact that women stay in this relationships I can now understand. They stay in fear of being alone, or financial dependency, or even the fact if they leave their spouse is going to harm them more or possibly kill them. I want to know, what goes through the abusers head? Better yet, what goes through the minds of the women being abused? The presentation didn't change my view much on domestic violence, because (like any sane person should), I am against it but it challenges me to go out and make a difference. To do whatever I can to help women in abusive relationships. Even if that means, just giving them a hand to hold or someone to talk to. I can't and won't promise them that I can make the abuse stop, but I can help them get through it until someone can help.

Murder. Is it justifiable?

As I continue my research on my topic an issue that keeps approaching is; the issue of faith and religious beliefs of the victims family and whether the death penalty is justifiable. A particular article that caught my eye was an article in a newspaper, “Death Penalty Arguments.” Written by an aunt and uncle who's precious nephew was helplessly murdered. The article argues the pros and cons of the death penalty. It also argues that it is justifiable due to the history of the death penalty (playing into faith and religion). Evidence from the article states, “Capital punishment was used in ancient times to punish a variety of offenses. Even the bible advocates death for murder and other crimes...”(more from www.prodeathpenalty.com)This leaves the issue of whether faith and religious beliefs should be considered. Next, was the issue of whether it is changing people or not. An article that was written and published by the New York Times, “Does the Death Penalty Save Lives?” viewed both sides of the opinion(more from www.nytimes.com). This article shows research studies that suggest that the death penalty has stricken fear in the hearts of citizens. Evidence shows that for each inmate put to death, 3 to 18 murders were prevented. However; certain states such as Texas are fast to jump to execution and execute inmates relativity quickly. Leaving the question, is the death penalty being taken advantage of? Personally, I am for the death penalty. My opinion has not really changed much changed, accept for under certain circumstances. I believe that if someone were to murder someone and show remorse that the murderer should get the chance to prove he/she is a changed person. If he/she shows no remorse and murders countless people then I don't feel they should have a right to live. If it was not self defense and they murdered just for a sick thrill and the evidence against them is obvious then they have no right to live.  At some point I think the family should choose. Which leaves us with these questions, Should the death penalty be influenced by faith and religious beliefs? Should the defendant’s life lie in the hands of the victims family? Is murder justifiable?

Murder or Justice?

As I began my research on the death penalty many issues emerged including; the race of the victim and defendant, whether or not to consider it murder, and what type of execution should be allowed if any. An article that stood out to me was an article written by "Death Penalty Information Center." The article written by many experts in the field of law suggests that for several cases the race of the victim and defendant matter. For example, studies in other states have shown that the death sentence were 2.6 times higher for killing a white person than black. Making it 97% higher for blacks to be charged with the death sentence in first degree murder. This suggests that the fact of race still an issue today affects the sentencing of a lot of African American individuals. Also, it suggests that many people would consider this murder. A large percentage of Americans think that killing someone is no justice at all. Posing an issue for the rights of both parties (agreeing and disagreeing.) Last, an argument that some of the methods used for killing people are inhumane. That if any execution should be allowed it should not be of great extremes. The question to ask here is what are we to do with those who murder and not make it a race issue or take it to great extremes? Can something be done to compromise on both parties?