We're now living in dangerous times with the awful spectre of terrorism looming large once more. When we do apprehend these killers, these miscreants, that proudly display severed heads of people they've summarily executed, how do we punish them ? Apart from the fact our courts are un-accustomed to presiding over terrorism matters, how should we punish these 'proven' killers ?

Previous judicial antecedents show, that most of the courts are appreciably out of step with community expectations. What will happen when they're required to apportion justice to a 'smirking' convicted terrorists, having just thrust his raised right fist aloft ?

All my adult life I've strenuously argued against the reintroduction of capital punishment, that is until now ? The dreadful scenes of that anguished family of a decapitated US journalist, post that act of unmitigated savagery, moved me indescribably, to the point of cold fury. These individuals have totally forfeited their right to any degree of compassion or leniency. Therefore when they're indisputably proven guilty of terrorism - execute them !

It should be noted herein, the titular centre of Islam, Saudi Arabia itself practices capital punishment. For, but not limited to; Murder, Rape, Blasphemy, Armed Robbery, Repeated Drug use, Apostasy, Adultery, Witchcraft and Sorcery. Public decapitation is the usual method, but stoning is also employed for some crimes.

Dear o sung wu,

Should we model ourselves on Saudi Arabia? It is not relevant to our practices what Saudi Arabia does.

Should the courts apply the law according to community expectations? In some communities lynching is acceptable. They do not accept a trial with due process.

One trenchant argument against capital punishment is that if the wrong person is executed there is no way we can make up for the wrongful act. Even in cases of terrorism that may happen.

One argument for capital punishment is that is a deterrent. A burglar may be deterred from murdering a house holder for fear of capital punishment. That argument does not apply to crimes committed by religious or political terrorists. They may welcome martyrdom for the cause.

The arguments against capital punishments apply even to acts of vile terrorism. We are not they.

No!

The list of people wrongly executed under Australian law is exceeded by the list of people murdered by repeat offenders who would not have repeated had they been executed for their first capital crime.

Capital punishment is the ultimate deterrent to repeat offences, paedophiles come to mind as do terrorists.

Forget killing them, there's a far better way....castration.
It would work well for paedophiles too.
Think about it, the terrorists believe they'll be matyrs in heaven with swarms of willing virgins, take their tackle and that prospect won't seem half so desirable, will it?
Then consider the effect on the terrorist's program, imagine them trying to peruade young men to get involved if their very manhood is on the chopping block! Good luck with that one Abdullah!
Works for me!

Hi o sung wu, most definitely, not considered, but implemented, & quickly.

The west become great, when it adhered to certain principles. It had no time for those who would not work to support themselves & the society, & it had no truck with dissention, at home or abroad in the areas they controlled.

And it should go all the way. We now have judges who are more interested in the well being of the criminal. I am often amazed at the list of crimes, from rape to murder, committed by repeat offenders. I wonder what they are doing out on the street. Is Mise is right, they should never have been out to commit a second offence, let alone been on trial for their 4Th, 5Th or 10Th.

With bleeding heart judges, & parole boards advised by so called psychiatrists, letting these people out to get another innocent, the only way our communities can again become safe, is to eliminate the scum wherever it is found, locally or overseas. While they live there is a probability they will be let out to strike again.

I have no interest in deterrent to other prospective criminals, or mass murderers, I don't believe it works, but every one put down is one less danger to worthwhile people.

The softly softly approach has failed completely in all areas, time to bring back the stick, & the idea that the punishment must fit the crime.