Serves Del's 'Audience' Right!! - The Green Mile (1999) Discussion

[–] AshLegend 11 years ago

That's just how the times were back then. Del was a murderer/rapist/whatever. It was normal for the victim's family to witness the execution, just as it was normal for town folks to witness beheadings and hangings decades prior.

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[–] highpriestess32 11 years ago

With respect, it may be considered normal but there's also a thing called personal choice and nobody was forced into attending - I am quite sure it wasn't obligatory so my revulsion stands.

I mean, don't get me wrong, curiosity is within all of us and I myself have looked over at the aftermath of a nasty RTA (and immediately regretted doing so in some instances), but that's a sort of spare of the moment thing and born out of concern. There's no way I would feel either justified nor comfortable in witnessing an execution.

"Has anyone seen my wife?" - Columbo

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[–] mcfaddensflats 11 years ago

Some ways of killing people are more cruel and painful than others. I think many can support the death penalty, and would attend an execution to see "justice being done", but would not wish to see the condemned person agonizingly tortured to death (though some people might!). It is possible to support "humane" execution (I don't support the death penalty myself), but morally object to and be personally horrified by an inhumane type. This is why methods of execution changed over the years. Both the French guillotine(introduced in its familiar form during the revolution) and the electric chair, represented attempts by those in charge to make executions less painful, more "humane".

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[–] highpriestess32 11 years ago

I just feel very sad for those who feel that watching another life being extinguished - regardless of the method - is deemed justifiable. If we are to place so much value on life then when a life is taken, how can it suddenly be morally acceptable to take the life of the perpotrator? I also question the morality of those who can quite happily sit and watch in judgement as the person is executed so long as it isn't them who pulls the switch.

What possible satisfaction can it bring? It won't effect what's happened ONE iota. Punishment comes from having to face one's crimes (possibly face the families of the victim(s)) and be suitably punished for, in some cases, a very long time. I say bring back the Chain Gangs and scrap all these privelages they get in jail these days! But don't kill them, make them face up to what they have done. Death is actually the easy way out.

"Has anyone seen my wife?" - Columbo

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[–] novastar_6 11 years ago

Sometimes it's the only thing that can be done to ensure safety for the people in and out of prison. I was reading a children's true crime book from the 60s, talked about a case from 1927 where a guy dressed as Santa Claus robbed a bank, 9 people including the Chief of Police were killed in the gunfight, he also kidnapped two 10 year old girls to make his getaway. He was finally caught, put in prison, but started acting insane since insane people couldn't be incarcerated in prison, he would be catatonic, wouldn't respond to being burnt, etc., and went on for months like this, then one day out of nowhere he attacked a guard, stole the keys and broke out of his cell, and was on the loose again. The public wouldn't stand for it so they marched into the jail when he was recaptured, overpowered the guards, dragged him out into the street and hanged him, then when the excitement died down they went on to their homes and resumed life as usual. Given he was able to fake catatonia for months purely so at one point he could attack a guard and break out, exactly what should've been done to make sure he didn't do it again or even something worse the next time?

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[–] highpriestess32 11 years ago

That's very rare but someone clearly misdiagnosed him since he was able to mimic those symptoms but even so, the security should be no more lenient in a mental institution than it is in jail. The institution was clearly at fault regardless of that man's mental state. Reminds me of the time Ronnie and Reggie Kray switched places so Ronnie could escape Broadmoor! Security needs to be tightened IMO overall and it doesn't actually have to cost that much per se from scratch but to adapt existing secure holdings could be costly as a lot of older buildings are inadequate.

"Has anyone seen my wife?" - Columbo

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[–] bobbiekaye69 10 years ago

I'm sure you've never lost a loved one to violent crime, and I pray you never do.

But if someone brutally murdered my loved one, I would have no problem executing that person by my own hand.

Do you really feel that such a person should not pay with his life?

I intend to live forever.
So far, so good.

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[–] highpriestess32 10 years ago

Well then it's a good job you are not in either law enforcement or the criminal justice system. Instead you'll be the one executed for being a vigilante. Yep, fight brutality with brutality - it's the only solution people like you seem to understand.

At no stage have I suggested we go easy on criminals of this genre but no, I do not think we mortals have that right to decide who lives and who dies. That sort of stuff is reserved for a higher realm.

"Has anyone seen my wife?" - Columbo

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[–] post-orgasmic-mood 10 years ago

I dont necessarily think youre wrong, however I disagree.

If a loved one of mine (especially my son) was murdered, you'd be damned right that I would fight brutality with brutality. I would absolutely be a vigilante.

I think if those mere mortals can choose to murder those closest to us, then we should be able to offer the same punishment.

I would like to see the death penalty come back (UK here)

It was only 100 years ago that you would have a family day out to see a hanging. You'd take your children and get a snack like going to the cinema.

Justice was a day out!

No power in the verse can stop me

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[–] rascal67 8 years ago

If a loved one of mine (especially my son) was murdered, you'd be damned right that I would fight brutality with brutality. I would absolutely be a vigilante.

I think if those mere mortals can choose to murder those closest to us, then we should be able to offer the same punishment.
________________
To sound like a cliché, this wouldn't make you any better than the murderer then. This is not a he-man, vengeance is mine, tough guy issue that can be solved or addressed in black and white terms. And what if the perpetrator was a female or a very young man in his late teens, would you feel the same way? Punishing does not really solve the bigger issues inherent in our justice system and society, especially when a law states thou shall not kill. This is hypocrisy in it's truest form.

Don't eat the whole ones! Those are for the guests. 🍪

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[–] rascal67 8 years ago

... if someone brutally murdered my loved one, I would have no problem executing that person by my own hand.

Do you really feel that such a person should not pay with his life?

________________________
That is an easy thing to say from a hypothetical pov; but you wouldn't know how you would really feel if the crunch came down to it and you were offered the opportunity to do away with the perpetrator of the crime. I hope you never have to lose a loved one at the hands of a brutal murderer, otherwise you would then have to have the courage of your convictions.

Don't eat the whole ones! Those are for the guests. 🍪

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[–] alexreg 10 years ago

I couldn't agree more with this view! I didn't laugh, as it was a horrible scene in some ways, but I had to wryly grin at the sick *beep* sitting there watching the execution, as if they were there to enjoy a normal electrocution. The fact that the audience has their twisted moral principles shattered by the witness of a botched electrocution is perhaps gratifying in that it exposes such immorality. I would expect there exist a lot of people in this world that would have no compunction watching such an execution, but it's not to make it any more acceptable a thing.

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[–] highpriestess32 10 years ago

Great post, Alexreg. I seem to recall at one point, some woman's face contorting in disgust and didn't she raise her handkerchief to her face as though she were watching some weepy at the flicks? I'm sure one woman did in that line-up.

And yes, it does a fine job of exposing such immorality on their part. I actually am of the belief that many who witness such an atrocity could never truly walk away feeling a sense of satisfaction as they may previously imagine they would. Instead they now have the indelible memory not only of the tragedy that led to the person being executed but added to that the etched images of seeing someone put to death in such an inhumane way. I think for me, it would merely exasperate the existing sense of melancholia, not make me feel in any way triumphant. Maybe people should consider these things very carefully before rushing in full of vengeful feelings as to how such a spectacle might effect them for years to come.

"Has anyone seen my wife?" - Columbo

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[–] !!!deleted!!! (47421091) 10 years ago

And yes, it does a fine job of exposing such immorality on their part.

Immorality? I think a painless execution is more humane than denying a person their liberty for the rest of their lives, unless you are also advocating no punishment whatsoever.

The late great Mike Royko had a great opinion on the death penalty. He suggested that everyone should carry a card on his person (or driver's license) that would state whether the bearer, if murdered, would want the murderer executed or not. Someone like you would have the option of having your murderer imprisoned for life with three square meals, TV, movies, work out equipment, etc.

As for me, I'm pro death penalty for certain crimes, but would agree to end capital punishment if the perp was then stuffed in a crate like a veal, and fed a nutritious but otherwise bland "con-chow" (Purina could make it) and clean water for the rest of their lives. No TV, no gym, no free college education-nothing. Give them the option of ending their miserable lives if this doesn't suit them.

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[–] highpriestess32 10 years ago

But who is to say it is painless? I read recently that it isn't even being undertaken by those qualified to dispense the lethal injections

But I would agree that there can be way too many privileges in prisons. It isn't supposed to be a holiday camp. Hard labour and loss of those luxuries should be standard. I think reading material should be available but stringently controlled as to the subject matter. If inmates are playing pool and watching television then they are still not facing up to their crimes. Those who are incapable of rehabilitation should still have to earn their every meal seeing as it costs so much to keep one person incarcerated.

Has anyone seen my wife? - Columbo

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[–] !!!deleted!!! (47421091) 10 years ago

But who is to say it is painless?

If that's your only objection, I have a solution: carbon monoxide. Those overcome by it through faulty heating, ventilation, or pitching woo in a running automobile with the windows up report being totally unaware anything is happening to them. (in fact, a young couple a few years ahead of me in high school died in the back seat of an old Corvair). Put them in a room, fill with carbon monoxide, they drift off to blissful permanent slumber.

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[–] highpriestess32 10 years ago

No it isn't my only objection. I am just against the State playing God with lives. That isn't to say I am anti-punishment. People should be held culpable for their crimes but the prison system just isn't much of a deterrent. Neither in fact is the DP. Crime is no less prevalent in States that support it.

"Has anyone seen my wife?" - Columbo

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[–] Pellam33 (386) 5 days ago

There you finally admitted your problem! YOU want to play God and decide. Yeah let the guy have life (with the possibility of parole even?) and let him have his three meals every day and watch TV and go to the gym and... while the victims family mourns their loved one. No thanks I'm not spending another penny on this bastard. DEATH is the only answer!

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[–] rascal67 8 years ago

The state still has a duty of care to it's inmates and not to treat others inhumanely and with cruelty. They are locked up for crimes perpetrated against societies laws and I have to ask myself, if I ended up in a sticky situation myself, or knew of someone I cared about who was to be imprisoned, would I want to see others treated with scorn and disdain, which can border on criminal behavior itself?

I do have an issue with the term "punishment"; because what is this solving and teaching others about attitudes and behaviors? I don't think many hardcore criminals have been taught ways in which to improve their lives for the benefit of themselves and others at a very early stage; they are just told that they are wrong for what they shouldn't be doing, instead of what they could have been doing. This is a very disconcerting and even corrupt aspect of our society, and what many parents are putting out there based on their own ignorance regarding breeding and children.

Don't eat the whole ones! Those are for the guests. 🍪

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[–] Bulls18135 10 years ago

Not everyone watching the execution is doing it because they enjoy watching someone die. Legally there has to be witnesses. The victims or victims family have the right to watch, members of the press are usually present, most likely assigned to the job, and I'm sure representatives of the state are present as well.

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[–] Giahead33 10 years ago

Quit whining about it!!! This is what i'm talking about!!! America has turned into a bunch of whiny pu$$ies!!!! No wonder every other country in the world is laughing at us right now!!!

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[–] corywiththet 10 years ago

^Thank you

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[–] Giahead33 10 years ago

No problem, i am sick of all the whining in this country about every single thing that anybody has a problem with!!! Grow a pair and be a REAL AMERICAN!!!

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[–] mdnightwnd 10 years ago

In the case of this movie, I felt incredibly sorry for Del, but then again, we didn't really learn much about his crime. He was set up to be a sympathetic character.

However, if someone killed someone I love I would go to watch them get BBQ'd and be happy that they were getting what they deserve - botched or not.

That's my personal opinion.

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[–] lilcharmer 8 years ago

However, if someone killed someone I love I would go to watch them get BBQ'd and be happy that they were getting what they deserve - botched or not.

Same.

Its the type of thing that the OP will just not understand so there is no point even arguing it.

I can't say I would be ok sitting and watching an actual execution, especially only a few feet away but I would be very satisfied to know it was done and that my loved ones' killer was done. And not sitting around in some prison, reading books, watching movies, making friends, eating meals or having any of the luxuries that my deceased loved one was robbed of.

And no one wold need to waste their time and effort feeling sorry for me.

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[–] thomas-begen-194-976045 9 years ago

I am pro death penalty for the most heinous crimes but I agree that I find something disturbing about people watching an execution, especially an electrocution. It's one of the harshest forms of execution short of being drawn and quartered. While I agree with many of your assertions, I can understand how a family who lost a loved one to murder could watch an execution. It may be sickening and ultimately give no satisfaction, but losing a loved one is so painful that it's easy to delude oneself into believing watching an execution will give them some satisfaction.

You bemoan the immorality of the death penalty but you seem to demonstrate a very limited understanding of the prison system in America. America incarcerates more people than any nation on earth. Prisons are breeding grounds for the formation of gangs, if they didn't exist already. People are put in an environment where their lives may be ended any day and you somehow think this is more humane than the death penalty? I'm no liberal but there is something profoundly wrong about the prison industrial complex in America.

There are many problems with the "justice system," but believe the death penalty is among the least of our problems in America. We incarcerate too many people, often for poor reasons, and the punishment often is not commensurate with the crime: people get a slap on the wrist for murder but are given decades for drug convictions. The savages who engage in human trafficking rarely get put behind bars; and when they do their sentence is laughable. On that note, I am a firm supporter of sending human traffickers to death camps or some place worse.

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[–] liscarkat (18596) 8 months ago

"...sit by in their Sunday best to witness an execution..."

How should they be dressed? Shorts and t-shirts?

Executions always have witnesses, including lawyers, family members, and reporters. They're not there for entertainment.

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