Execution and understanding

 I am back! Didn't post for a few years but.....                                                                                                       Lately one of the issues  in the  death penalty debate is whether the intended death row inmate  knows why they are being executed.  To me this is silly. If the reason for death penalty is to remove those who cannot get along with others with no chance of them getting paroled is would not matter if they know why they are being executed. If the reason is purely bloodthirsty then having the inmate ponder their upcoming  mortality  ( I guess in terror) would be important. This is a big deal now because  so many of our mentally ill are incarcerated.  TExas desperately wants to execute people  but balks at executing those who think their punishment is because they are Jesus or Napoleon. Texas juries do not want to consider this kind of technicality but courts have ruled on capacity and responsibility and it is  that the convicted's understanding is so important. If it is all about revenge served cold then this makes sense.