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I am the Online Community Manager at PLoS-ONE (Public Library of Science). My scientific specialty is chronobiology (circadian rhythms and photoperiodism), with additional interests in comparative physiology, animal behavior and evolution. I am not an MD so I cannot diagnose and treat your sleep problems. This is a personal blog and opinions within in no way reflect the policies of PLoS. You can contact me at: Coturnix@gmail.com
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Category: Medicine • Politics
Posted on: September 20, 2007 9:29 AM, by Coturnix
Based in part on this study, lethal injection has been ruled (at least for now) unconstitutional in the state of Tennessee.
The executions by lethal injection have been on hold for several months now in North Carolina as well, until the legality of it is figured out. I hope NC follows in the footsteps of TN soon.
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Comments
To some extent we might have to accept the reality of convicts "becom[ing] very distressed" when we're busy killing them. I can't imagine any method of execution that wouldn't be seen, at least by some, as cruel and unusual punishment. Lethal injection might not always be a calm, soothing "put to sleep" kind of thing, but it's a damn sight better than cyanide, firing squads, the noose or the guillotine.
And in some cases -- such as with John Couey -- I'm actually rather sanguine about the thought of suffering on the part of the condemned. Some people, I think, simply do not deserve a painless, peaceful, suffering-free death.
But it seems to me that if we're going to be killing people, it makes more sense to analyze and debug the system that decides who and who should not be killed (hello, Texas), and deal with the methods only after we can be certain they should be employed in the first place.
Posted by: Warren | September 20, 2007 12:38 PM
In some stage we might have to assume the reality of convicts "become very worried? when we're busy killing them. I can't imagine any method of execution that wouldn't be seen, at least by some, as cruel and unusual punishment. Lethal injection might not always becalm, soothing "put to sleep" kind of thing, but it's a damn sight better than cyanide, firing squads, the noose or the guillotine.
It seems to me that if we're going to be killing people, it makes more sense to examine and correct the system that decides who and who should not be killed and deal with the methods only after we can be certain they should be employed in the first place.
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sandy
Addiction Recovery Tennessee
Posted by: sandy | July 23, 2008 11:54 AM
The US Supreme Court on Tuesday granted certiorari in 17 cases for the October Term 2007, among them notable cases dealing with lethal injection, voter ID laws and subsequently seized evidence.The Court will consider whether lethal injections of death row inmates constitute cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment.
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Alicemark
Tennessee Treatment Centers
Posted by: alicemark | August 11, 2008 8:25 AM
Hi,
I am new to this blog for posting comments.In some stage we might have to assume the reality of convicts "become very worried? when we're busy killing them. I can't imagine any method of execution that wouldn't be seen, at least by some, as cruel and unusual punishment. Lethal injection might not always becalm, soothing "put to sleep" kind of thing, but it's a damn sight better than cyanide, firing squads, the noose or the guillotine.
Lincon
Posted by: Lincon | August 21, 2008 2:22 AM