tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722735165669239585.post7376598499966910969..comments2023-05-24T23:33:57.516+10:00Comments on My Unwelcome Stranger: I am so gratefulDenis Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12786035137418348609noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722735165669239585.post-49197040279710531152011-09-29T19:29:38.696+10:002011-09-29T19:29:38.696+10:00Joan: the warning to kids of impending doom is als...Joan: the warning to kids of impending doom is also a horrible imposition on poor old Dad - not that it ever happened to me either as child or father.<br /><br />I think after 20 years and 4 stays of execution for Troy Davis, even if he were innocent, I suppose it would be some form of blessed release. I can only hope so.Denis Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786035137418348609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722735165669239585.post-25581505007459498812011-09-27T10:47:59.516+10:002011-09-27T10:47:59.516+10:00"Just wait until your father gets home!"..."Just wait until your father gets home!" I guess that's a bit like waiting for your execution. <br /><br />Since we do not know what happens after death, how do we know that it is a punishment to execute a convicted criminal? It could be a liberation.Joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04715081266571704126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722735165669239585.post-14357177523110956062011-09-24T07:23:29.292+10:002011-09-24T07:23:29.292+10:00Thanks for the comments. I have reflected on this ...Thanks for the comments. I have reflected on this for 'long moments’ (!) since I wrote it. I know there are many who will not agree, because the idea that some are so past redemption that 'hanging is too good for them' is so deeply ingrained. This is partly why we have the pitiless tit for tat in the Middle East at the moment, abetted by their sponsors outside the region. One can only think of the clichéd epithet from Gandhi, ‘An eye for an eye sends the whole world blind.’ Then again, it’s interesting to note that the death penalty has always been on the books in Indian history as well. In spite of all the wisdom in Asian philosophy, Asian rulers have never shied away from using it, and pretty summarily at that. Even Buddhist ones.<br /><br />I also think of it in family terms. Imagine if you said to your child, 'I won't beat you now, this morning, but at 7 pm tonight you're going to get a good strapping. That's when I'll tell your father and he's going to give it to you as soon as he gets home.' Imagine the destructive psychology behind that for all concerned!<br /><br />Think for a 'long moment,' hey Julie! You got me there. Maybe, poetically, there are 'long moments'. And maybe I'm just trying to weasel out of using a superfluous word....Denis Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786035137418348609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722735165669239585.post-82467143033704913052011-09-23T23:55:42.843+10:002011-09-23T23:55:42.843+10:00Very well said - I agree absolutely. I also know a...Very well said - I agree absolutely. I also know as you say that if a family member or (shudder) one's child was a victim of a horrible crime, it would be natural to want revenge and want the criminal dead. But that doesn't change all the reasons a modern society should not be doing it.Jackie Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06322613989851869319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722735165669239585.post-6824878345252358942011-09-23T20:09:51.375+10:002011-09-23T20:09:51.375+10:00Yes, thank you for reminding us of this uncivilize...Yes, thank you for reminding us of this uncivilized behaviour -and that's what I think it is. It's a reflection of the most emotionally immature, unwise aspect of humanity, this state sanctioned murder. It sickens me, such calculated cruelty.<br /><br />Enough cursing (by me!) hmm, Mr Pedantic, is a'brief moment'different to a 'long moment'? Can you really have either, or is it like saying 'very unique'?? Heheh. xx JulieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722735165669239585.post-36956213560702229332011-09-23T15:24:45.118+10:002011-09-23T15:24:45.118+10:00well said Deniswell said Denislarrythelibrarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01804065362986155224noreply@blogger.com