Abortion

1.     After viewing both of the sites, I feel that I have a better understanding of what each side of the argument is as well as which points both sites hoped to highlight. I thought that NARAL- Pro Choice America had a more inviting and user-friendly site. The visitor was not bombarded with facts or pictures, but rather was presented the side without much imposition of ideas. Of course, I might have thought this way because of my stance on the issue. I found the National Right to Life website a little more invasive and up front about the issues that surround abortion. I thought the pictures were very graphic and the details of the procedure were surprising, but I felt myself somewhat questioning my position after viewing the sight. Given that emotional response, I figured that the sight must have at least been slightly effective.

2.     As a 17 year-old girl, I have to say I would not be thrilled about having my parents know I was considering an abortion, but I do feel that it is important for the parents to know if their daughter is planning on having the procedure. I only consider this because I would want my parents to be concerned and willing to help me in any way they could given a situation like a teenage pregnancy. I do not, however, feel that the parents of a minor should have consent of the abortion unless the girl is under the age of 17. I feel this way simply because by the age of 17, contrary to what some science may prove, I think a girl is educated enough to decide what may be best for her and her unborn child.

3.     I think that the father should be notified of a daughter wanting or receiving an abortion because as a parent he would be equally as responsible for protecting his child as the mother. I can see why a man may not have an educated stance on pregnancy simply because they do not have to go through it, but as a father one has the responsibility to take care of his children.

4.     Illinois law at this point seems to have restrictions on access and use of abortions, but still has it available with the consent of either parents or spouse. I think that most of Illinois’ laws are properly laid out because there should be some restrictions on the availability of abortions and the reasons women are seeking them. I would change the law that states that no insurance can be offered to cover an abortion simply because it is a medical procedure and some people need the support of insurance companies if they need or want an abortion.  

Death Penalty #3

Stages:

In order to attempt to protect the rights of the accused, the police have to make an educated arrest and in the process of the court, the defendant has to be considered innocent until proven guilty. While both these ideas in theory should be decent standing points to uphold the rights of the accused, there is a certain pressure that comes with a murder that may sway decisions and choices. Often times, when a crime is committed, the people of the community no longer feel safe and immediately look towards the police force to restore the safety they are used to. With this pressure, it is easy for the police to make mistakes or jump into an arrest without sufficient information about the person they may be arresting. Once the defendant is in trial, the phrase "innocent until proven guilty" is brought into play; however, the people on the jury have a burden that is not easy to carry. They are deciding between life and death for a human being. While hearing the gruesome details of the case, I'm sure it isn't easy to keep in mind that the person who is being prosecuted might be innocent. It is in the best interest of the people for someone to be blamed. I think that the rights of the accused should be protected, but I think it is hard to do so when the person is being accused of murder.

Methods:

There are a number of methods used during executions such as firing squads, hanging, gas chambers, lethal injections, and electrocution. Hanging was popular and the primary method of execution up until 1996. Firing squads are still used, but only primarily in Idaho. Gas chambers were used until they were ruled a "cruel and unusual punishment" and the last use of a gas chamber was in 1999. Electrocution was used until about 2008 until it too was deemed a cruel and unusual punishment. Lethal injection today is the most widely used form of execution. In my opinion, lethal injection is also the most humane of all of the execution methods simply because it is the fastest and although I do not feel that the prisoner should be excused of all pain, it is the least uncomfortable for the person being executed.

State By State:

From what I found, the southern states seem to be the most prominent in holding death penalty inmates and actual executions. Texas, being the large state it is, is the leading the state in inmates and executions. I was surprised by the states that had no death penalty at all, but I was even more surprised by those states that did not have life without parole. Also to my surprise, there seemed to be more white inmates in most states rather than black inmates completely discounting the argument that some may have concerning racial disparities concerning the death penalty.

Death Penalty Information Center:

This information agrees with what I said previously about the lack of racial disparities in the death penalty because the pie chart shows that 56% of defendants executed were white. The economic effects of the death penalty seem to be less than actually holding an inmate for an extensive period of time or even life. The numbers of executions peaked in 1999 and were slowly decreasing until a slight spike in 2009. The public opinion recently has been only 33% for the death penalty, with most leaning towards the option of life without parole plus restitution.