I guess I could put my two copper into the pot.

I am not opposed to death in RPs. I like someone dying if it fits the bill. However, I avoid RPs and never make RPs where the GM has exclusive rights to end a character life at any given time. I am of the stance that RPing and Tabletop gaming are collaborative efforts. Thus, if you want to kill someone or see it as highly likely, I find it courteous to communicate with the other person. This even opens up more creative cooperation to make the death even more impressive, silly, heroic, grand, etc.

On the topic of no death clauses, I find those tacky at best and outright distasteful at worst. If you must include a pseudo no death clause, at least make it a talk to me before attempting to kill my character clause. That seems a good way to prevent issues where a GM is a bit too liberal with killing or a player is too attached to their character.

All of this assumes a good working relationship among the players and GM of course.