On another subject Gibo,
When you were banned for a while on this site, I was the first to welcome you back. The reason I respond to a lot of you comments is because you do make some interesting comments. I will either agree or disagree. I said a while ago that when I disagree with your comments I would do so in a kinder spirit, which I believe I have done. The mud slinging between you and me seems to have started again when I gave my opinion of Benny Hinn, an opinion I still stand by. Check this link:

http://ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=591245704

I didn't go stalking you on the internet. I was looking for information on Jack Burrell who you had mentioned elsewhere. I was interested in knowing about this man, and came across this website due to you mentioning his name in a number of your posts.

It was the Bill Henson debate that sparked the mudslinging between you and me, and I stand by what I said there. As far as my nudist activities are concerned, most Christians I admit would not support it, but the fact is that there are 7 Born Again Christians (That I know of) in the club I go to, out of about a total of 50 people. That's a high percentage in any club outside of church. You don't know of any Gibo, because we don't generally promote our nudist lifestyle out of the club. I would prefer to only have this matter raised in future when it is relevant to the discussion. As far as my attitude to gays, I'm not endorsing homosexual relationships, but rather opposed to the arrogance displayed by most Christians. We must remove the log from our own eye first.

runner,

Thanks for your reply.

I am opposed to corporal punishment except perhaps by a parent in exceptional circumstances. Why I mentioned canning speeders was by way of making a comparison. I assumed you would disagree and you confirmed this.

I recall our entire class being canned (males) or given a 1000 lines (females), when someone in our class (not me, but I still remember who), called Miss Pizet, Miss P*sshead, when her back was turned. No one would dob the guilty party in. What is the greater offense name calling of speeding?

If the can were re-introduced would you agree to gender equity?

I appreciate your point regarding hardened criminals and think the parole process for multiple offenders too lenient.

The problem with the cane is that it was abused by overzealous bully teachers and Principals.

In true Government style, instead of dealing with those who were abusing their power, they got rid of the cane. This not only started a situation where children knew that there were no repercussions for their bad behaviour it also sent the message that bullies and those who abused their power were protected. They are still protected today.

Personally I do believe that parents have a lot to answer for. So many parents allow their children behave in public in ways that should not be acceptable. The problem of course is that there is this idea that we should 'let children be children' but no real agreement or understanding on how children should present and/or act.

Aggressive, rude and bullying behaviour is not my idea of ‘children’ and should not be permitted. Time we set some standards for children so that parents and children have no excuse.

Education – Keeping them Honest
http://jolandachallita.typepad.com/education/
Our children deserve better

http://pubpages.unh.edu/~mas2/CP-Empirical.htm

Over to the pro-canners to provide a range of credible empirical research which demonstrates that canning and other forms of corporal punishment for children provide more benefit than harm.

R0bert

This is not a forum for exchange of ideas. It's a comic strip for intellectually under-achievers.

I have always been opposed to caning and I'm glad that there's been enough research on the matter to conclude that corporal punishment is harmful.

I went to school in a country where corporal punishment was banned a long time ago. It was abolished long before I was born so I never knew any child who was caned either at school or at home until I came to Australia.

Compare countries e.g. the USA who still cane and some Nordic or European countries where caning was banned long ago and you'll find that there is a lot less violence in the non-caning countries than in the USA where there's a lot of violence in schools and society.

Runner says, "However those who don't receive corporal punishment turn out to be violent and uncaring."
Look at the sites RObert linked to and you'll see that what you're saying is utter and complete nonsense.

I was never caned or spanked by my parents and I found it totally unnecessary to spank my children or threaten them with violence.
My children have ever used violence either against each other or at school, or in fact not against any creature (mozzies excluded!). They are the most gentle, responsible, considerate and peace-loving teens one can imagine, if you're not a mosquito.

When my son was younger, he even begged me not to vacuum up a spider and even today at 19 he makes sure he rescues all spiders around the house and put them outside.

Many people who are in favour of corporal punishment seem to think the only alternative is to let them run wild. All they need is enough attention and love and understanding. Children make mistakes like we all do, and it's good for them to learn to correct any wrongs e.g. by making it up to people or friends they might have hurt. They need to learn to take responsibility for their own actions.
Instead of corporal punishment, it would be far more beneficial for society if people had affordable access to parenting courses, perhaps as part of pre-natal classes.