Redneck,

Some good points there. But I don't think it's always that simple.

In regards to the 1-5% of innocents, I was actually referring to the convicted that had already been executed. Most guilty people in America, when asked what their last words would be, turn to the family of their victim and apologise. But I read of a case where a man - when asked what his last words would be - turned to the victim's family and simply said "I didn't do it". A few years later they caught the guy who did it.

The main point of my posts on this issue is that the death penalty is simply not worth the risk - no matter what. Especially when you look at the Texas execution rate compared to the rest of the US. This shows that something is going very wrong somewhere – and hence, not worth the risk.

BTW: I've had a bit of a look into why Texas executes so many more people than the rest and I think some of it's due to the fact that, when Bush was Governor, he almost totally demolished the public defender system. In other words, in Texas, if you can’t afford a lawyer you’re pretty much screwed. Again – not worth the risk.

Perseus,

”Clearly, this "dead gook" is a smoke screen to mask your own denial of your part in electing and maintaining this triad of criminally negligent scum”

I agree it’s a smoke screen. But I think it’s also a smoke screen for IR reforms, welfare reforms and anti-terror laws.

In regards to the heath system, I hardly think that an under-funding Liberal government would do much better. Look at what the Liberal government’s funding of mental health has done. We now have police and family members - who are unqualified and unable to cope - having to baby-sit the mentally ill. Not to mention the many suicidal people that are turned away due to lack of beds and later found dead in their own home. The Liberals aren’t much better.

…They too are criminally negligent.

Man eating tigers are killed,sharks who hunt humans are killed, rabid dogs are killed , then why shouldn't rabid humans be also killed for the sake of those who would become victims?
Rabid humans are just as dangerous, just as deserving of death as any animal that preys on others , it is only the human animal who kills for any reason beyond food.
Sympathy on such creatures is wasted.

Gee - a rush of what I can only categorise as hate posts.

The sympathy for Nguyen (a drug-runner) by the Australian public hit a nerve?

Yes you all care very deeply about drug users. Sure you do.

I'm always bored and disgusted by the fake compassion tactic, used by people who condone murder and violence.

In another post elsewhere someone rightfully mentioned the 800 (?) annual deaths in Australia through heroin use.

This was my reply.

"Most were male about 30. Most suffered longterm unemployment and drug use and most weren't in a drug programme at the time of death.

Most also had alcohol abuse problems. It takes less heroin to kill an intoxicated person.

That tells me we need more programmes and education - because heroin is a market commodity that can't be eradicated - even in countries with barbaric laws.

Caring about people facing death in Singapore and drug users in Australia is not incompatible.

In fact you'll find that the people and groups with compassion for people facing death in Singapore and drug users in Australia - are mostly the same.

As are those with no compassion."

For those of you with a religious bent, this also cropped up in the same thread.

Mathew 5:21

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, you are worthless, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Intersting point, Mijiko. Has a person who has killed, or who has embarked on a course of action that they know will result in death of the innocent, squandered their right to remain among the living? Is the death penalty a punishment or the logical consequence of someone waiving their right to be one of us?

If a person, of their own free will, can take their own life then they must also accept the the consequences of smuggling Drugs in Singapore. The latter is clearly no more than a slower, more expensive and ultimately less satisfying form of suicide.

I always hope that I never have any part in someone else's suicide. For if I do not then I can always sleep well. I had no part in Mr Nguyen's self destruction so I need shed no tear nor lose any sleep for a dead dealer.

I think that Van's crime deserved a hefty punishmnet however I do not agree with the punishment given. I dont think it was just. It is inhumane to take another life so what gives the singapore government, let alone any other country that uses capital punishment the right to carry it out legally?! Not only has Van died for his crime but instead of just punishing him the government has in turn given his family a life sentence and that is what is so sad. I think that life imprisonment(no parole), although at the taxpayers expense, would have fitted the crime - but that is my opinion.

I rather think when in some way society changes , then attitudes change when you have been effected: Case in history, when a young 18 year old J Jago copped a bullet in the chest by Middle Eastern scum, Shot dead and his friend Andrew C was saved because the pistol jammed, while they walked home from a football mach, the scum escaped to Lebanon aided by their Family, 6 odd weeks later when they considered the heat was off, they come back , Police got them , they were mauled by a wet lettuce Justas system, only a couple of years: Should have read their anti –sedans.
As at the Japanese Embassy, what they tell Japanese women when they come to Australia: Yes they give them comprehensive WARNINGS of RAPE; in AUSTRALIA, not AFRICA: see a common thread. Yes we have lost our society already, and we will regain the initiative, when, is another question. The bed wetter’s and moochers are the perpetrators of this heanis crime in Australia, They are the Left.
And three cheers for Singapore, their Government shows gumption and stayed the course.