[SOC] The Death Penalty

[David Ackrill]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Redding"

> As I am not prepared for it to happen frequently, I am obliged to swallow
> the bitter pill of having (for example) child sex murderers left to live,
> when (as we all accept) they really should be publicly burnt at the stake.

The problem with this statement, if you will allow a little off topic
opinion, is that it's along the lines of "Have you stopped beating your
wife?" in that any answer leaves you admitting you either continue to beat
your wife, or that you have done in the past!  If anyone dissagrees with the
arguement, they are by association supporting the unsupportable.

I'm also always suspicious of anyone who says "everyone agrees that...."
because they then usually go on to express their own point of view as if it
were automatically the truth.

So, whilst not supporting child sex murderers, I don't think you can say
that "we all accept" without asking everyone what they think.  Just because
you, and maybe even I (I've not expressed my view yet) agree with the
statement doesn't necessarily mean everyone else does.

de Dave (G0DJA)