Ronnie Lee Gardner wants execution by firing squad stating it's less "barbaric". Do you feel he should get his wish? Why or why not?

This could be as hotly debated as Health-Care Reform, Oil Spill Cleanup, Katrina and FEMA, Bill Clinton's Impeachment (I worked right in downtown DC at the time), OJ Simpson's guilt or innocence, or the Arizona Immigration laws, to name a few. He may be gone by now, or close to it (1:27 AM CT Friday) , but it's neither here nor there. I saw on CNN one opinion that said he may have done it for the sensationalism and fame.

I don't know that I necessarily buy into that, but the facts are pretty well laid out in this article from April. I think it's a matter of how you present it: "He will die by being shot at by 5 sharpshooters," is very different than saying "He will he die lying in a sterile room, strapped to a table" But by the same token, saying "He'll die instantly," is very different than saying, "It could be up to ten minutes by the time he's pronounced dead..." The bottom line--and the reason it doesn't matter--is because the man himself chose it, then changed his mind to lethal injection, then changed it back to firing squad. If the law is on the books, he has a right to do that.

I heard there would be 5 shooters, one with blanks, but they wouldn't know--so none would ever know who killed him. He'll die instantly. I don't think it's a determination can be made as to whether it's more or less barbaric.

Than what? Lethal Injection? I hate to get into details, but you brought it up: Lethal injection is making someone brain-dead by inducing a coma, with a drug that also causes the vascular walls to collapse.

That's otherwise known internal bleeding. Then they're paralyzed within 15-30 seconds. Then, just to be sure, a massive heart attack is chemically induced.

Not exactly "just going to sleep and never waking up. " There's a good chance that he'll be anxious while the IV lines are put in and the saline drip starts--so he sees it slowly coming, then he's hit with drugs that kill him. I'm no doctor, but I'll allow for a very slim, minute possibility he might feel some pain Having every blood vessel in your body turn to jelly can't feel good.

Hanging snaps the neck and asphyxiates the person. If you've never seen an electrocution before, I suggest not. I saw a film of one in a psychology class in high school and I remember it to this day every time they talk about putting a hood over the condemned.. I believe his last meal was a steak and a lobster tail.

I still have trouble comprehending it when I hear how a person who has committed heinous crimes--gruesome enough to be sentenced to death--is treated to a meal a large chunk of Americans can't afford. And I chose the word "treat" because in that context, it's a reward for good behavior. That...tradition?... will never make sense to me.In any event, the remainder is a quote: Ronnie Lee Gardner requests firing squad; execution date set June 18 Judge signs death warrant By Emiley Morganand Josh Smith Deseret News Published: Friday, April 23, 2010 11:24 p.m.

MDT SALT LAKE CITY — After years of speculation and debate, it came down to one simple sentence, and the words choked Ronnie Lee Gardner as they came out of his mouth Friday. "I would like the firing squad, please." Whether prompted by emotion or by hours of sitting in silence, Gardner's voice broke as he made the polite request to 3rd District Judge Robin Reese just before the judge signed his execution warrant ordering that Gardner be put to death on June 18.

Reese heard last-minute arguments by defense attorneys hoping to convince him to review the case "afresh" and consider changing the sentence to life in prison. But the judge was unfazed by the pleas and refused, signing the warrant authorizing the Utah State Prison to execute him."There is nothing in the arguments today to cause further reflection," Reese said, adding that none of the new defense arguments constituted a legal reason to stay the execution. Gardner, 49, sat forward, at rapt attention every time Reese spoke.

"It is my belief that the defendant has exhausted all legal remedies," Reese said."There are no appeals pending, no petitions outstanding. €¦ It's my conclusion not to second-guess the courts. " Board of Pardons and Parole, which has held only two such hearings since 1977."

Gardner was shackled and surrounded by 11 armed guards during the hearing. He had requested to appear via video feed from the prison, as his arthritis is aggravated by handcuffs, but Reese ordered him to attend in person. Utah law allowed Gardner to choose between death by lethal injection or firing squad.

Out of the 10 inmates on Utah's death row, he is one of five who have the option of choosing because he chose death by firing squad at his initial sentencing. Though a law passed by the 2004 Utah Legislature eliminated death by firing squad, those who requested such a death are still allowed the option. In 1990, Gardner changed his mind and told a judge he preferred to die by lethal injection.

The change was made, he said, for the sake of his children who "didn't understand" the firing squad decision. Then in 1996, he told the Deseret News he would go so far as to sue for his right to die by firing squad — an option he always favored. "I guess it's my Mormon heritage," Gardner said at the time."I like the firing squad.

It's so much easier … and there's no mistakes.

I'm fine with him requesting his own demise; it's his last decision he'll ever make. Personally, I would think it would be painful to take a bullet.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.