Dukakis-Bush debate: death penalty

Bernard Shaw asks Michael Dukakis a provocative question in the second 1988 presidential debate: "If Kitty Dukakis were raped and murdered, would you favor an irrevocable death penalty for the killer?"

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  News & Politics

[Aqquila89]

What a stupid question. What did they expect him to say? "Yes, then I would support it because I don't think laws should apply to me"? And why was he criticized for being "dispassionate"? It's a hypothetical situation, there's no point of getting angry over it.

[unclepic1]

I am a republican and i would have voted for Bush but that question is so inappropriate and unfair its really unfortunate.

[gleeze bang]

big pussies couldn't handle my post

one day... revenge!!!!!!!!!

[gleeze bang]

0:17 yeah bernie, and i'd waste your nigger ass too!!! and the brothers would be with me

[MrFlyingfrogs]

"Yes. I would want the death sentence for him - and that's exactly why we don't put the victims of crimes in charge of the judiciary".

[JPMcFly1985]

25 years later people's attitudes haven't changed. Dukakis' calm and collected answer is exactly how leaders SHOULD be, but since many conservatives are reactionary and want men to have a warrior mentality and bloodthirsty emotion over logic, it cost him.

That said, he could've still been passionate without supporting the DP (even if this was an inappropriate personal question). He should've said even if he'd personally want to avenge the killer, it doesn't make it ethically or morally right.

[Mr112198476]

you just dont get what drug dealing and prostitution does for society. The people need drugs are almost death and they will do all kind of things like robbery, violence and killing for having drugs.Both prostitution and drug addiction is the new slavery in 21st century time to realize it.Prostitution is also just as bad, it helps to spread aids and the girls who suffer trough this will be mentally ill for their rest of live and wont probably have children and encourage other social instability.

[homersparents]

watch?v=Xbp6umQT58A



[homersparents]

Society is imaginary. you cant hurt it. You can hurt individuals.

Killing one bad person is not justice for killing one good person.

justice is imaginary

.

[homersparents]

Justice is imaginary

[Sovnarkom]

I have to do disagree completely.

If a pimp is promoting willing prostitutes to interested johns than he is brokering a consensual business.

If a drug dealer markets illicit substances to recreational users; this is also a victim-less crime.

Sexual slavery and involuntary drugging are a different story, however relatively rare those cases are.

By comparison - murder almost never comes by request and loosing one's life as a punishment for taking life is as justifiable as any justice.