No one can be certain how much pain is felt by those who experience the death penalty. After all, none of those who have paid the ultimate price for their crimes have been able to tell of it. There are theories that the most painless execution is by way of the guillotine. But the thought of heads literally rolling in Florida is out of the question. Over history, civilized societies have steadily moved toward less barbaric ways of ridding the population of those deemed undeserving of further life.
People today shudder at the thought that crucifixion was once an accepted execution method.
Beheading people via axe or guillotine, are likewise viewed as barbaric. Firing squads are pretty much outmoded, as are hangings. A number of states have switched to lethal injection executions. But Tuesday's reaction by legislators to the fire at Florida State Prison in Starke suggests that most are satisfied with status quo. Death by electrocution, we believe, will someday, be deemed just as barbaric as earlier methods.