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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!yale-com!debenedi
From: debenedi@yale-com.UUCP (Robert DeBenedictis)
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Value of Human Life vs. Value of Property
Message-ID: <2136@yale-com.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 7-Oct-83 17:13:08 EDT
Article-I.D.: yale-com.2136
Posted: Fri Oct  7 17:13:08 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Oct-83 06:21:14 EDT
References: unc.5962
Lines: 20

All this discussion about Capital Punishment bothers me.

One thing that that everyone seems to overlook (Yes, even YOU, dear 
reader :-) ) is that PEOPLE CHANGE.  Today's murderer could become
tomorrow's factory worker (or literary marvel, as some would have it).

Why are people so hell-bent on locking people into "negative" 
behavior patterns?   EX:
    Juvenile does petty crime.  "Teach him a lesson! (so he won't do 
    it again please)" his !parents! shout.  In jail he becomes bitter,    
    abused, and learns how to pick locks.  Once he gets out of the system
    he no longer has respect for it (read: the police and the law).  ETC.

I'm not proposing that we just igno re mudrers BUT people do change 
(say eyvery 7 years?) and they should be given a second chance.

[Prof.:"I'm sorry, I can't accept late assignments.
        You've forced me to flunk you."]

Robert DeBenedictis