I understand what you mean and I understand the distinction you make. But like I said, imprisonment (a type of punishment) is a form of revenge. I can't make the distinction that you make. It simply doesn't compute in my brain.




And that is the fine point in the difference of our opinions. I don't think it is always wrong to take life. I don't subscribe to the notion that all life is precious. I think some people need killing. I don't think killing him makes me (or society) a "worse person," so to speak. Nothing says to me emotionally or logically, killing this person makes me less or bad in any way.

However, I am a propenent of only using the death penalty in specific cases. Breivik's case would be one I would use it. He admitted killing those people and there is no hint of his confession being coerced, that I've heard. Unfortunately, I've heard of too many cases of people on death row who have have later been exonerated based on new evidence. So, as long the defendant proclaims his innocence and their's no airtight proof against him/her, I oppose a death sentence.