Scuttlebutt Pipeline

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The US Supreme Court has upheld the use of lethal injection as a means of execution for prisoners. Two Kentucky inmates challenged the use of lethal injection, citing it as cruel and unusual punishment, which has resulted in executions, nationwide, being put on hold while the court reviewed the case. The court rejected the case by a vote of 7 to 2 however.

Now, if only they would do something about inmates sitting on death row for years (sometimes even decades) before finally getting executed.

States began using the three-drug method in 1978 as an alternative to historic methods of execution such as electrocution.

However, in recent years there have been botched lethal injection executions in Florida and California, in which inmates took up to 30 minutes to die.

A 2005 study also sparked controversy by suggesting the amount of sedation given might not be enough to stop the inmate feeling the painful effects of the other drugs - but would prevent him crying out.

I can understand the concern over their deaths not being quick which essentially results in the prisoner being “tortured” to death. (I confess that a part of me thinks they probably deserve it, but that’s for another time.) However, when it comes to execution, it seems that lethal injection is actually the most “humane” method to date. Death by electrocution, is messy, painful, and takes a long time to be sure the prisoner is dead. Firing squad, also does not ensure that death will come quickly. Unless one of the shooters hits a vital spot, say the heart, there is no guarantee that the prisoner will die quickly and not in severe pain. Hanging/strangulation, again, not necessarily quick either. Unless the neck snaps immediately, they’re going to hanging there for a bit.

Frankly, I can’t help but to wonder if this was really just another attempt to have execution eliminated entirely.

Finally a judge that will dish out the proper punishments to celebrities and none of this wishy-washy namby pamby baloney of giving them a slap on the wrist either.

A judge sentenced Paris Hilton to 45 days in county jail Friday for violating her probation, putting the brakes on the hotel heiress’ famous high life.

Hilton, who parlayed her name and relentless partying into worldwide notoriety, must go to jail on June 5 and she will not be allowed any work release, furloughs, use of an alternative jail or electronic monitoring in lieu of jail, Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer ruled after a hearing.

I am ecstatic to see justice served for once. She got off so easy by getting probation and she couldn’t even be grateful enough for that. In my opinion she is just getting exactly what she deserves. Best yet is the fact that she will serve out her jail time and she will not be allowed furloughs or electronic monitoring. She committed the crime and she will do the time. I’m loving this. She’s still getting some special treatment obviously. They likely won’t leave her unsupervised with other inmates and she might even get solitary confinement, but still the thought that she’s going to be doing time pleases me immensely. It’s always a good day when you see celebrities getting their just deserts like the rest of us “peons” would get.

Full article link.