O, to be 17 years, 364 days old

U.S. Supreme Court Abolishes Juvenile death penalty

O, to be 17 years, 364 days old.

Sure, I might not be able to buy cigarettes if I choose (assuming that the seller actually checks my i.d., which also assumes that I don't have a baby face or don't look much older than my real age).

Sure, I can't legally buy alcohol (which again assumes someone actually checks my i.d.).

Sure, I can't legally vote (assuming I live in an area where my registration would be questioned and i.d. would be checked).

But, I could (even if it's illegal) go out and commit some very disgusting rapes and murders. I could fold, spindle and mutilate. I could destroy with reckless abandon. And if caught, I'd just toss my hands in the air -- similarly to how a character in a "Lethal Weapon" movie did when saying "diplomatic immunity" in taunting Det.'s Riggs and Murtaugh -- and claim to be an unknowing, immature juvenile.

It wouldn't matter if I actually was very mature, and could be judged by a jury of competent individuals to be mature enough to stand trial as an adult. Thanks to Justice Kennedy and his deference to world opinion regarding the juvenile death penalty I wouldn't really have to worry about consequences for my actions.

Life without possibility of parole, you say? Hah. Don't worry. Soon Justice Kennedy and the Amnesty International type crowd would be decrying that penalty as too harsh when applied to an immature individual. Instead, we'd have the penalty reduced to incarceration until age 18, or some other slap on the wrist.

Which brings me back to my point, the title of the article. O, to be 17 years, 364 days old.

Liberalism could be abolished thanks to a violence spree. I could mood swing back the other way and take out the ultra conservatives when I climb behind the wheels of the car that most states believe I'd be mature enough to drive and start running them over like Death Race 2000. I could have such fun, at least for a day. And in the end, I could live in jail. It might not be a great place to live, but I'd be alive. It could be better than where I grew up, it could be worse. But I'd be a ward of the state, living off society. 3 hots and a cot, a minimal work requirement, and a life time to think of the deeds I had done.

Yes, thank you Supremes.
1,801 views 4 replies
Reply #1 Top
I could have such fun, at least for a day. And in the end, I could live in jail. It might not be a great place to live, but I'd be alive.


And after you did turn that magic number 18, and you knew of someone who needs some killing, all you'd have to do is convince some kid to do the job for you, afterall, the kid has nothing more to lose. I bet for a case of beer, it wouldn't be that hard to find a kid who is willing to use his shiney new, Supreme Court Issued, License to Kill! ;~D

The "international opinion" crap doesn't wash with me either. First of all, last I checked the sole purpose of the Supreme Court is to interpret the U.S. Constitution, not play games of "world popularity". I guess we could use the same logic and legalize Female Castration since there are still a lot of countries that continue that practice.
Reply #2 Top
I think anyone old enough to murder, is old enough to be put to death. The reasons the Supreme Court gave for this being 'unconstitutional' such as consulting what other nations do is the troubling. We are America, we should do as WE want, and if out nations don't like it, too bad!
Reply #3 Top
I don't think anyone is old enough to be murdered by the state. I guess that's why my country hasn't executed anyone in over 40 years.
Reply #4 Top
I don't think anyone is old enough to be murdered by the state. I guess that's why my country hasn't executed anyone in over 40 years.


So, by your own logic, everyone older than 40 "in your country" is a murderer?

Carefull with your rhetoric.