Blasphemy

[Xamonas Chegwé]

This way no show trial where the bastard can shout slogans and be martyred.

I know what you meant but... perhaps you should look up the meaning of "martyr"!

[JimC]

Seth, if one could be 100% certain that the man you are pursuing (or have cornered) is definitely the terrorist in question, then fair enough. However, in the real world, things may not be so clear cut, and a trigger-happy policeman could kill an innocent man. Where possible, they should be arrested and brought to trial; that is how our societies preserve the rule of law (with those caught in the act, or electing to have a glorious shoot-out with police, one can not worry too much about bringing them in alive, unless they may have vital information...). I do agree that minimising the publicity they receive is the ideal, but it is rather hard to muzzle the press...

[Seth]

This way no show trial where the bastard can shout slogans and be martyred.

I know what you meant but... perhaps you should look up the meaning of "martyr"!

I'd rather have him a dead and obscure martyr than a living one in jail somewhere to serve as a rallying point for others, or to be released at some later date because some fuckwit politician (like Obama) think's he's been "rehabilitated."

Dead martyrs can't kill anybody else, so they're the best kind. I hope he's enjoying his 72 Andrea-Dworkin-on-PMS virgins for eternity.

[Seth]

Seth, if one could be 100% certain that the man you are pursuing (or have cornered) is definitely the terrorist in question, then fair enough. However, in the real world, things may not be so clear cut, and a trigger-happy policeman could kill an innocent man.

Well, when someone starts shooting at the police there really isn't much ambiguity.

Where possible, they should be arrested and brought to trial; that is how our societies preserve the rule of law (with those caught in the act, or electing to have a glorious shoot-out with police, one can not worry too much about bringing them in alive, unless they may have vital information...). I do agree that minimising the publicity they receive is the ideal, but it is rather hard to muzzle the press...

Yes, if there is any question a trial is necessary, followed less than ten minutes later by a summary execution out back of the courthouse.

[JimC]

Seth wrote:

Well, when someone starts shooting at the police there really isn't much ambiguity.

Sure, but there will also be scenarios where police reports say someone with a beard and middle eastern appearance has just committed a terrorist act, and was last seen heading north along Main St. Caution is indicated because he may be armed (no different to a bank robber, really), but you cant just blaze away at every vaguely arabic looking male in that vicinity...

Yes, if there is any question a trial is necessary, followed less than ten minutes later by a summary execution out back of the courthouse.

You know that's simply not realistic or politically feasible...

[pErvinalia]

It's also not very coherent in the context of his alleged ideology of a natural right to life. As with most of his guff, his view of "rights" centre around HIS current beliefs and possessions and habit, and fuck everyone else. It's not surprising, after all, as libertarianism is basically "fuck everyone else".

[JimC]

I would like to fuck 50% of everybody else...

[Xamonas Chegwé]

I would like to fuck 50% of everybody else...

The top 50% or the bottom 50%?

[piscator]

He'll find somewhere to to do it...

[Seth]

Seth wrote:

Well, when someone starts shooting at the police there really isn't much ambiguity.

Sure, but there will also be scenarios where police reports say someone with a beard and middle eastern appearance has just committed a terrorist act, and was last seen heading north along Main St. Caution is indicated because he may be armed (no different to a bank robber, really), but you cant just blaze away at every vaguely arabic looking male in that vicinity...

Of course not. Target identification requirements always apply.

Yes, if there is any question a trial is necessary, followed less than ten minutes later by a summary execution out back of the courthouse.

You know that's simply not realistic or politically feasible...

Works for the Chinese Communists.

[Seth]

It's also not very coherent in the context of his alleged ideology of a natural right to life.

Any right can be forfeited by bad behavior.

And it's not "fuck everyone else," it's just "fuck you."

[JimC]

Seth wrote:

Works for the Chinese Communists.

And they, of course, are perfect role models for libertarians the world over...

[JimC]

I would like to fuck 50% of everybody else...

The top 50% or the bottom 50%?

The 50% that attract me at any random moment in time...

[Seth]

Seth wrote:

Works for the Chinese Communists.

And they, of course, are perfect role models for libertarians the world over...

Well, I was just pointing out that it's hardly "unacceptable" since it's used all the time all over the planet. Now, a particular iteration of the penalty may or may not constitute a just result, but that's beside the point.

[JimC]

Seth, I too wish instant death on the actual perpetuators of barbaric islamic fundamentalist murders, it's just that there are nasty consequences if you get it wrong...