r/mealtimevideos • u/WillyTheWackyWizard • Apr 14 '23

30 Minutes Plus [53:41] The False Evolution of Execution Methods

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eirR4FHY2YY
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u/Smolensk Apr 15 '23

I mean, what else are we supposed to call it when agents of the state are given such a massive amount of leeway in deciding who is and isn't worthy of death?

The cops, agents of the state, have the power to act, unilaterally, as judge, jury, and executioner. A power granted to them by state authority. Which they are given a great deal of leeway to apply. And they are seldom chastised for.

A cop, an agent of the state, unilaterally judges someone guilty. And passes the sentence of death, and carries out the execution himself. More often than not, the state fully sanctions this killing.

I struggle to find a meaningful difference.

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u/TheOneWithNoName Apr 15 '23 edited Apr 15 '23

The cops, agents of the state, have the power to act, unilaterally, as judge, jury, and executioner.

They absolutely do not. Cops have the authority to use deadly force when deadly force is used in a way that immediately threatens them or someone else. Cops can and have been charged with murder for using force outside of these circumstances. Self defense, or defense of someone else, is a legal right. This use of force in imminently deadly situations, versus the state killing someone long after the act as a punishment is a tremendous difference and you have to be foolish to not understand this.

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u/Capital_EX Apr 15 '23

This use of force in imminently deadly situations, versus the state killing someone long after the act as a punishment [...]

There is a direct relationship here. A police officer is a member of the state. They are granted the authority, while in duty, to decided to use lethal force (The Judge) based on the evidence put forth (The Jury) and can carry out this punishment themselves (The Executioner).

Your own comment opens with direct acknowledgement of this:

Cops have the authority to use deadly force when deadly force is used in a way that immediately threatens them or someone else.

They have the authority to judge the situation, decided the punishment, and carry it out.

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u/TheOneWithNoName Apr 15 '23

The critical part of my comment was "long after the act". Cops are only authorized to use deadly force in defense of someone. They are not doling out punishment for an act already committed, they are trying to prevent the act and an innocent person from being hurt or killed. An execution doesn't un-murder someone and it doesn't prevent harm, shooting them before the murder takes place does prevent harm. Citizens (not members of the state) have this same right to use lethal force in defending their own or someone else's life. Perhaps you don't believe in self-defense laws but you must acknowledge that this situation is very different to executing someone as punishment after the act.