The Chair Deters

THE death penalty has become the issue du jour. It isn’t too hard to account for this. Liberals see George W. Bush as vulnerable on the issue. But Bush should be congratulated for leading a crusade against the number-one public-health and safety issue of the last 35 years: the astonishing national epidemic of felony murder.

Let’s be clear about what the death penalty can and can’t do. Executions probably don’t deter “crimes of passion.” Arguments between spouses, friends, or lovers that escalate into murder probably won’t be deterred because there is no rational process leading to this sort of homicide. Tempers flare, people lose control of their emotions and strike out. At least that’s what the defense attorneys tell us.

About the Author

William Tucker

Mr. Tucker is author of Terrestrial Energy: How Nuclear Power Will Lead the Green Revolution and End America’s Energy Odyssey.

Featured Tags

THE death penalty has become the issue du jour. It isn’t too hard to account for this. Liberals see George W. Bush as vulnerable on the issue. But Bush should be congratulated for leading a crusade against the number-one public-health and safety issue of the last 35 years: the astonishing national epidemic of felony murder.

Let’s be clear about what the death penalty can and can’t do. Executions probably don’t deter “crimes of passion.” Arguments between spouses, friends, or lovers that escalate into murder probably won’t be deterred because there is no rational process leading to this sort of homicide. Tempers flare, people lose control of their emotions and strike out. At least that’s what the defense attorneys tell us.