If capital punishment was still a public event, would you turn up to watch the worst criminals be punished for their crimes?

[Chazmatazz269]

Executions used to be held publicly. This was to ensure that the general public knew that their government was invested in protecting the public from the most dangerous criminals. Everyone knew about the crimes. Everyone knew who the criminals were. Everyone slept better at night knowing that the worst of the worst were dead and gone.
Today even the “law and order” politicians are soft as a box of newborn kittens. Only about half of states even keep capital punishment as an option and many of them are holding moratoriums or simply never apply it.
Historically, just the affected community was informed of impending executions. In this age, everyone has access to news from all around the world. So this question kind of has two questions built in. If a local criminal was being executed for crimes committed in your community, would you want to watch their punishment applied?
Given access to news from all over, would you travel to see capital punishment applied?
I’ll post my two cents at a later date.

[Veronika_p]

I honestly don’t think I could bring myself to watch an execution, even if the person had committed something absolutely horrific.

I understand the argument behind it. When someone destroys innocent lives, especially in a brutal way, people naturally want justice. I can also understand why, historically, public executions were meant to show that society would not tolerate certain crimes.

But I think there is a difference between believing someone deserves punishment and wanting to stand there and watch them die.

If someone had hurt my community, I would want them held accountable. I would want the victims and their families to receive justice. But I don’t think watching another human being die would give me peace. I honestly think I would probably walk away feeling disturbed rather than satisfied.

And traveling somewhere just to watch an execution? Definitely not. There is something about making a death into a public event that makes me uncomfortable.

Maybe I’m too emotional about it, but even when someone has done terrible things, watching a human life end is still a heavy thing. Justice matters, but so does what that experience does to the people watching it. ❤️

[shish_kebab]

Absolutely not. That's disgusting. Can't I just stay home, drink beer and watch it on pay-per-view? 😜

I just hate crowds and standing in line at the Porta potty.

[Cidknee]

I'm not certain. Perhaps, especially if their crime involved me.

[andreasderjuengere]

Free drinks and snacks and a live-band playing included? Count me in.

[NaultD]

Throw tomatos at the executioner and officials in charge.

[Snakeyes7]

Maybe if it was personal.

[exitseven]

I might do this.