Terminalcoffee discussion

I was reading the Chronicle of Higher Education this morning and came across this article:

http://chronicle.com/article/In-Defen...

So is flogging still too cruel to contemplate? Perhaps it's not as crazy as you thought. And even if you're adamant that flogging is a barbaric, inhumane form of punishment, how can offering criminals the choice of the lash in lieu of incarceration be so bad? If flogging were really worse than prison, nobody would choose it. Of course most people would choose the rattan cane over the prison cell. And that's my point. Faced with the choice between hard time and the lash, the lash is better. What does that say about prison?

What do you think?

Meh. I flog Robby all the time.

*calls ASPCA*

I'd pay big coin to see Dr. Laura flogged.

Can we still flog the bishop?

I don't want to be the one who has to stop you, Phil...

which bishop ?

Phil has more than one?

Phil, flogging your chess pieces won't make you a better player.

I found this part interesting, RA.
"When I was a police officer in Baltimore, I don't think anyone I arrested hadn't been arrested before. Even the juveniles I arrested all had records. Because not only does incarceration not "cure" criminality, in many ways it makes it worse. From behind bars, prisoners can't be parents, hold jobs, maintain relationships, or take care of their elders. Their spouse suffers. Their children suffer. And because of this, in the long run, we all suffer. Because one stint in prison so often leads to another, millions have come to alternate between incarceration and freedom while their families and communities suffer the economic, social, and political consequences of their absence."

This brings to mind the 65 year old career criminal arrested for placing a pipe bomb in the mall near Columbine High School last week. Local media commented he actually wanted to go back to prison because he was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and what sort of prospects does a 65 yr old sick ex-con have in the real world. Extensive prison time, while not a walk in the park by any means, gives this man 3 squares a day and a place to sleep.
Anyway, food for thought today.

RandomAnthony wrote: "Phil has more than one?"

Oh Boy I hope not!

It is food for thought Petra. I've heard of others that have wanted to go back, because they just couldn't handle the freedom on the outside. Incarceration may not always be the answer, but I am certainly glad that it takes murderers and rapists off the street.

No, flogging is not okay. It is inhumane, barbaric, disgusting, gross, cruel, unusual, etc. It's pretty much the equivalent of torture.

And I have zero respect for someone who agrees with the above, but still titles his book "In Defense of Flogging" to get people to buy it because it's provocative, and because he sees the "benefits of wrapping a liberal argument in a conservative facade." Really, I hate this guy.

The stupidity of his argument is breathtaking (although granted he's not actually making the argument, merely pretending he is in order to make a different argument). But let's say his argument is that we flog people instead of imprisoning them. Really? You'd like to flog a pedophile and then send him on his way? Flog a killer? A rapist? Bernie Madoff? The point of depriving these people of their liberty is to keep them from doing the same thing to other victims.

i have a great flogging story from the bush in west africa but i think it is too long to tell here

Phil wrote: "Can we still flog the bishop?"

Better that than the dolphin. You might get PETA all over you otherwise.

Stacia ~ bite is worse than her bark wrote: "You might get PETA all over you otherwise."

You can avoid that by using a tissue.

I just choked on my iced tea. Thanks.

Justification.....Donald Trump deserves it

Those wanting to give DT a 'a taste of the cat' should re-read
Mutiny on the Bounty. .

Or another work that adds perspective to this 'topic' is The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding which of course is full of Rum, Sodomy and the Lash: Piracy, Sexuality, and Masculine Identity.

Or you can listen to The Pogues at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZIIS...

Ancient thread revival!

Lobstergirl wrote: "Ancient thread revival!"

"Ancient Thread Revival", weren't they a Classic/Country Fusion band with a top 100 album?

No, bottom 100.

I wouldn't feel too bad about Kim Jong Un getting a good flogging. He just looks like he needs one.

Would a good old fashioned draw and quarter be appropriate for KJU?

Would I become a target if I agreed?

Scout wrote: "Would I become a target if I agreed?"

Is that a rhetorical question?