capital punishment

[camyria1]

what is your hypothesis or prediction about capital punishment?

[New Judge]

It will never be resumed in this country whilst we are a member of the EU or whilst we have in place the Human Rights Act 1998. It is not legally possible whilst these two things prevail, even if the entire population, including all the Commons and all the Lords voted for it.

[bananie]

yes, but worryingly, or not (depending on your leaning), David Cameron says he will pull the UK out of the EU meaning we won't have comply to the Human Rights Act - so will the re-introduction of captial punishment be his next job?

not good

[New Judge]

Mr Cameron (like most politicians) talks a good talk whilst in opposition.

It might be interesting to hold two referendums:

1. Do you want to pull out of the EU?

2. Do you want to see the restoration of Capital punishment?

I'll wager that neither question will ever be asked. This is because politicians never like to ask questions to which they may not like the answers.

[tufty7]

To open it up for further discussion, If someone is 100% guilty of a crime against society and they are trash ( yes I know there mum loves them) then why not euthanase them ??
We as a country started to go into decline after respect was lost at school level and the blame for that lies firmly with the conservative government ( maggie thatchers?)of the day who abolished caning and other forms of punishment ,
this has eroded society that badly and has allowed any form of respect for anyones life or property and this has and is leading to a break down of morales and will eventually lead to the dog eat dog society we appear to be leaning towards ,
Something has to happen to halt this decline, if we don't then in the famous words of Frazer from Dads Army "we're Doomed" .........

[Ice.Maiden]

That speaks for itself doesn't it? I personally think we all know what the overall majority answers'd be.

[bananie]

yes but that's always supposing the commons are allowed to vote on whether there should be a referendum in the first place. We're not getting one regarding the Lisbon Treaty now, so chances are we won't be asked on the other matters either!

[wee willie]

may i add to your last paragraph New Judge?


(or indeed ruin their chances of election)

[Ice.Maiden]

Good after-thought Willie.

[Oneeyedvic]

Referendums are totally useless.

Who can answer a question like the first one the Judge poses? Who actually understands the full ramifications of pulling out of the EU?


With regards corporal punishment, all these countries have not only banned corporal punishment in schools, but also in the home: http://www.stophitting.com/laws/legalReform.ph p.

Whilst I agree that there are issues with respect in school (and I am not totally against corporal punishment) blaming the lack of physical punishment is quite erroneous.

[New Judge]

The electorate are more astute than you give them credit for, OEV. They know what membership costs them and their families and they know what they get in return.

But most importantly, they know the ramifications of remaining a member: a European Single state stretching as far as western Asia, embracing at least one and possibly more wholly Muslim countries, and governance by a system over which they have virtually no control - even less than they have now.

The Capital Punishment question is just an example. It is no longer what the people of the UK want that counts.

And for those of you who suggest we would not survive: many other countries who are not members of the EU get along perfectly well. They trade with the EU in a manner that suits them and are not hidebound by the EU's ridiculous over-regulation and dogma.

[Oneeyedvic]

Sadly Judge, you are hardly an impartial person in this matter.

Do you really understand what the impacts it would have on tourism, manufacturing etc.

If so, maybe you can explain it to me.

[fletcher.5]

Getting back to the question. The issue of capital punishment creates conflicting views about why it should be used & to who it should be used on.
In the past, how many have been the innocent victims of it,& how many guilty people should of been the justifiable victims of it.
On the whole, the idea of capital punishment is not really a relevant issue in todays society.

[tufty7]

Well I believe that unless something is radically done to reign in poor parenting and badly behaved kids, youths and adults alike , we will be putting stab proof vest's on instead of a duffel coat in the future.............

As for it would effect tourism , well I am sure murders muggings stabbings and fighting all would effect tourism so the argument is flawed in my opinion,

Unfortunately we live in a drink and drug fuelled society of which the majority of citizens are law abiding , lets deal with the scum, if they choose to misbehave take away there liberty and assets .........

there are more good people than bad ones........

[New Judge]

Just a quick response, Vic, then we�d better call it a day.

Gladly (not sadly) I am by no means impartial on this issue. As far as the things you mention go, well I can�t imagine tourism is encouraged by our membership of the EU. Tourists visiting the UK are hardly likely to stay away if we are no longer members or indeed be more inclined to come here if we are.

The country no longer has a manufacturing industry of any significance. However, countries in the EU do conduct trade with countries outside and there is no reason to suspect they will stop trading with us should we leave. I cannot see the Germans and French no longer selling us their BMWs or Citroens.

What I do know for certain is that membership costs this country in excess of �6bn per annum and this is rising. Much of this finds its way to fund schemes (many of the inefficient or just plain corrupt) which are of no benefit to the UK whatsoever. This sum could be better spent here.

[gouldc]

I'd have to agree with New Judge, and whilst in full favour of offing the trouble makers in society, there is always going to be a miscarriage of justice (Birmingham 6, etc).

Dealing in car insurance, and being hopelessly addicted to watching programmes such as Road Wars, I can;t help but feel that people extract the urine.

Maybe we should adobt a harder line in regards to punishing lesser offenders first and see what impact that has?

Thieves - start by amputating thumbs, then take a hand, then both hands - they stop stealing after the third strike one way or the other. Oh and don't give them disability.

Drink drivers - start by amputating toes, then feet, then up to the knee.

People don;t learn by getting ''rehabilitation orders''.

I applied to work in a local prison as a guard, but failed the interview on one question:

Do you think prison is for incarceration or rehabilitation?

I went for the answer that seems to be correct, but apparently it's there for rehabilitation.

How does letting crims have colour TV's and free bed and board rehabilitate?

I'm only 29 - I wish the cane was in school when I was there - I was scared enough of my mother to remain straight and true, but sadly 13 year olds are unable to discipline their kids nowadays!