Hi there, HASBEEN...

That's perfectly OK old friend; I do understand that Capital Punishment is a very emotive, controversial subject to embrace, for any thinking person. As a former close relative yourself, to a victim of crime, a 'crime against the person,' and I understand the perpetrators had (apparently) managed to escape apprehension? I completely understand your desire to see punishment exacted out appropriately, for these wanton thugs that plague our communities.

And some of the utterly atrocious crimes that have been occasioned against the physically weakest members of our society (the aged, infirm, women & children), it's no wonder revenge & retribution burns deeply within our collective souls.

One matter in particular in which I was heavily involved, was Archie Beattie McCAFFERTY, a deadly, crazed killer, who took out his malevolent evil, against the world, by killing four individuals, for the death of his infant child! A legitimate candidate for the noose? Perhaps? He did Life, was deported back to Scotland, and the last that I knew of him, he managed to get himself into NZ? My sincerest commiserations to our New Zealand cousins!

As a sociologist I agree totally with o sung wu. Lock them up forever in absolute solitude. Absolutely no parole. Let them die a long slow death void of pity and communication. Keep them caged and fed in a world of silence and emptiness. That would be a horrible way to die. I understand that is what they did in the US to the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski.

Capital punishment to murder is a contradiction. If it's not right for one person to take a life than it is not right for anyone to take a life. How can a person show that it is not right to take a life if that person takes the life of someone who has taken a life? Taking a life of a criminal says that it is alright to take a life. Societies have tried to overcome this dilemma by giving the State the right to exact violence - but the contradiction still remains.

Let them die a long slow death void of pity and communication.
Mr Opinion,
You do have a mean enough streak after all. I say give them the opportunity to take their own life once they realise there's no parole at the end ! We need the cell bunk for those who don't seem to learn.

Singapore is one of the safest places on earth. Last year my wife and I travelled everywhere on trains and never felt safer (even at night). I suspect harsh and capital punishment has a lot to do with it despite what those opposing it says.

Dear runner,

No, I think it was because Singaporeans are as afraid of creation scientists as I am.

Dear o sung wu,

Fully agree with your position re the death penalty.

I wonder if you have a different view over military justice?

"General de Maud'huy had just been roused from sleep on the straw of a shed and was standing in the street when a little group of unmistakeable purport came round the corner. Twelve soldiers and an NCO, a firing party, a couple of gendarmes, and between them an unarmed soldier. My heart sank and a feeling of horror overcame me. General de Maud'huy gave a look, then held up his hand so that the party halted, and with his characteristic quick step went up to the doomed man.

"He asked what he had been condemned for. It was for abandoning his post. The General then began to talk to the man. Quite simply, he explained discipline to him. Abandoning your post was letting down your pals; more, it was letting down your country that looked to you to defend her. He spoke of the necessity of example, how some could do their duty without prompting but others, less strong, had to know and understand the supreme cost of failure. He told the condemned man that his crime was not venial, not low, and that he must die as an example, so that others should not fail. Surprisingly, the wretch agreed, nodding his head. He saw a glimmer of something, redemption in his own eyes, a real hope, though he knew he was about to die. Maud'huy went on, carrying the man with him to comprehension that any sacrifice was worthwhile while it helped France ever so little. What did anything matter if he knew this?

"Finally, de Maud'huy held out his hand: 'Yours also is a way of dying for France,' he said. The procession started again, but now the victim was a willing one. The sound of a volley announced that all was over. The general wiped the beads of perspiration from his brow, and for the first time perhaps his hand trembled as he lit his pipe."