Re: Escaping Planet of the Apes: was [MEDIA] Chicago Suntime's death penalty poll

Michael Lorrey (retroman@together.net)
Wed, 02 Dec 1998 17:07:38 -0500

Joe E. Dees wrote:

> Date sent: Wed, 02 Dec 1998 01:31:12 -0800
> From: Paul Hughes <planetp@aci.net>
>
> > Rather than see us continue a perpetual cycle of vengeance in the name of
> > 'JUSTICE' (a slippery concept if there ever was one!), I'd rather see an emphasis
> > on rehabilitation - something the US prison system has so far shown very little
> > interest in. Since I don't expect the emotional intelligence of the average
> > person to increase much in the near future, I've focused my efforts instead on
> > getting off this primitive rock of savage domesticated primates and heading for
> > the stars as soon as possible.
> >
> > Paul Hughes
>
> Most death penalty opponents have never had a family member
> murdered; the change in their opinions that occurs when this
> happens is remarkable. And just exactly how would you rehabilitate
> a Ted Bundy, or a Jeffrey Dahmer, or a John Wayne Gacy? Joe

True enough. Note that each of these individuals lived in states which did not have 'shall issue' concealed weapons laws.... I'd be interested in seeing what the distribution of serial killers is in states with liberal vs. restrictive gun laws...Since such indviduals are into control and domination I'd guess that they would not like victims who were likely to be armed...

As to conversion of beliefs, its like I've always said,"A republican is merely a democrat who has been mugged, and a democrat is merely a republican who has been laid off....".

But back to the topic at hand. Since early interstellar voyages will tend to be very long duration and have limited cargo capacity, wouldn't it be smart to use astronauts who are a bit sociopathic to start with? Enduring the isolation will be a major qualification, I would guess...

Mike Lorrey