system since the earliest of times. The Babylonian Hammurabi Code(ca.

1700 B.C.) decreed death for crimes as minor as the fraudulent sale of

beer(Flanders 3). Egyptians could be put to death for disclosing the

location of sacred burial sites(Flanders 3). However, in recent times

opponents have shown the death penalty to be racist, barbaric, and in

violation with the United States Constitution as "...cruel and unusual

punishment." In this country,although laws governing the application

of the death penalty have undergone many changes since biblical

times, the punishment endures, and controversy has never been greater.

A prisoner's death wish cannot grant a right not otherwise

possessed. Abolitionists maintain that the state has no right to kill

anyone. The right to reject life imprisonment and choose death should

be respected, but it changes nothing for those who oppose the death at

The death penalty is irrational- a fact that should carry

considerable weight with rationalists. As Albert Camus pointed out, "

Capital punishment....has always been a religious punishment and is

themselves, but to the entire community. Opposition to the death

life with absolutely no possibility for parole.

effective shield against tyranny of the majority and is inconsistent

the Southern Center for Human Rights, at least 10 percent of death row

-The multiple victims included all four of the Clutter family.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Human Rights, Camus Capital, Political Analysts, Dick Perry, Supreme Court, United Constitution, Hammurabi Codeca, California April, death penalty, Ray Rector, capital punishment, Capital Punishment, dick perry, mentally retarded, death row, cruel unusual punishment, -the offender, death-row inmates, cruel unusual, york ny, clutter family, criminal justice system, white victims black,
Approximate Word count = 1238
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)