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kostya..
what are your thoughts on the death sentence of the bali bombers?
most australians were quite happy and relieved to send the bali bombers to death row. is there a difference? is the death sentence of a terrorist acceptable and the death sentence of a trafficker different?
why is it ok for death sentence at times and not at others? or is it just not ok to put aussies to death?
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My thoughts on the Bali bombers are as follows:
Is there a difference between terrorism and drug trafficking? Yes there is. Obviously there is a very very clear and distinct difference between the two, and I should further add that the more severe ought also, it appears, have a harsher penalty. Is there a difference between speeding and drink driving? Yes, there is also a difference in the penalty for those offenses, and rightly so.
Now, do I think the Bali bombers ought to have been executed? Well, first of all, I don't think deterrence is a very good argument against folk like this, that is to say people who are willing to blow themselves up are unlikely to be discouraged by the death penalty. Secondly, will executing Amrose and anyone else bring back a single soul from Kuta beach? No it will not. Does imprisoning Amrose for life (given a certain number of restrictions on communication and so forth) prevent him from ever reoffending, or helping in any such act again? Yes I think it does. So too does executing him I suppose.
However, is it possible that someone could be tried, found guilty and executed for a terrorism when they were innocent? I can concieve of it. Therefore I do not favour the death penalty for terror suspects, given that imprisoning them in suitably well thought out facilities will prevent them from reoffending, and should it later come to light that they were innocent allow for them to be released as justice would clearly dictate.
Therefore, I do not think it is ever ok for the death sentence to be used since judiciaries are fallible, and we cannot bring people back from the grave.
To quote your own signature:
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An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere
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As you already know I do not believe in nations or nationality, so I do not think it is ok for human beings to be put to death, and oppose the execution of Tibetans as much as Australians.
Certainly I am less opposed to the execution of Amrose, if indeed he is guilty, which certainly appears to be the case. In fact I might even feel good about it, but feelings ought not dictate what kind of legal provisions we ought to take, rational thoughts do. My thoughts tell me very clearly that despite any feelings I might have, the fallibility of judicial courts means that the death penalty is not a provision that we ought to adopt.