ESLgo.com's "Iron Lady" class, part C by James Trotta

Remember that the song "Iron Lady" by Phil Ochs is about the electric chair and the death penalty. I've highlighted some of the arguments presented by the song. Think about what the arguments mean and if you agree or disagree.

Have you seen the iron lady's charms
Legs of steel, leather on her arms
Taking on a man to die
A life for a life, an eye for an eye
And death's the iron lady in the chair

Stop the murder, deter the crimes away
Only killing shows that killing doesn't pay
Yes that's the kind of law it takes
Even though we make mistakes
And sometimes send the wrong man to the chair

In the death row waiting for their turn
No time to change, not a chance to learn
Waiting for someone to call
Say it's over after all
They won't have to face the justice of the chair

Just before they serve him one last meal
Shave his head, they ask him how he feels
Then the warden comes to say goodbye
Reporters come to watch him die
Watch him as he's strapped into the chair

And the chaplain, he reads the final prayer
Be brave my son, the Lord is waiting there
Oh murder is so wrong you see
Both the Bible and the courts agree
That the state's allowed to murder in the chair

In the courtroom, watch the balance of the scales
If the price is right, there's time for more appeals
The strings are pulled , the switch is stayed
The finest lawyers fees are paid
And a rich man never died upon the chair

Have you seen the iron lady's charms
Legs of steel, leather on her arms
Taking on a man to die
A life for a life, an eye for an eye
That's the iron lady in the chair

When you have a question or want to express your own views on the death penalty, move on to part d: discussion. Remember that you can agree or disagree with other people on the message board, but you must remain courteous at all times.

The Iron Lady class consists of:

Created by James Trotta. This page was last revised in April 2003. © 2003. All rights reserved.