CompuServe Thread

#Cops, Courts, Crooks

13 messages in this thread
#88939From: Ben BlishOct 13, 1987 9:22 PM
Let me do it. Mitigating circumstances are self defense… I know of no others. Self defense being a term I use to describe the "global" self — family, possesions (including land) friends. Leave me to it, and in a few years, there won't _be_ any criminals. And plus, no jail problems, no jail $$$ (give it to the schools) and lots of fertilizer. –Ben–
#88987From: Jim VentolaOct 13, 1987 11:07 PM
Ben– Would a three pound brain tumor count as a mitigating circumstance? No self defense involved there.
#89026From: Ben BlishOct 14, 1987 3:35 AM
Nope. Not at all. There is no excuse for offensive actions. Only defensive, and those are shaky at best. You can argue that a man with no tumor is just as sick as one with a tumor — either case is a defective brain, in my judgement. And in either case, society is far better off without them. –Ben–
#89287From: Jim VentolaOct 15, 1987 5:19 PM
amazing, Ben, just amazing.
#89111From: BILL LEACHOct 14, 1987 8:19 PM
Ben: The cop in Dalles, Tx that shot the rape suspect while in the police station (his own daughter was the victim) is a near perfect example of what I would consider to be extenuating circumstances. 73, bill
#89227From: Ben BlishOct 15, 1987 1:36 AM
Ok. I accept that. –Ben–
#89292From: Jim VentolaOct 15, 1987 5:34 PM
Bill- Yes, emotional distress. and in NO way can that logically be called a DEFENSIVE move, since one cannot ward off the past. // Jim
#89015From: Rodney SomersteinOct 14, 1987 1:34 AM
Of course, in a few years, you would probably be the biggest mass murder in history, topping even Hitler. Where would the average person be then as regards there legal rights? If I get a speeding ticket, do you shoot me? Rodney Somerstein 73167,2165
#89030From: Ben BlishOct 14, 1987 3:45 AM
No more speeding tickets. And I have no qualms about killing rapists, murderers, terrorists, or cockroaches… and I think the mentality that says they're just sick puppies and should be coddled, made well and released is damn near as sick and confused as the aformentioned criminals. And if I were to go down as the worlds biggest murderer, society would still be better off. I'd still take the job. Rodney, the way I see it, most things are not crimes at all… some things are crimes in any society — that's a good test for moral fit, if something doesn't fit most societies. Very few sanction those three catagories. I like competition — I think it's healthy. I just think it has to stop short of violence. We're smart enough for that…. and those of us that are not, aren't doing very well under this system, either! –Ben–
#89151From: Rodney SomersteinOct 14, 1987 10:36 PM
I personally tend to agree with your categories of who should be eliminated, I just wanted to play devil's advocate and point out the fact that things could get out of hand. Especially since you obviously couldn't handle the job without others' help. Rodney Somerstein 73167,2165
#89208From: Ben BlishOct 15, 1987 1:02 AM
No, I could do it. I'd work hard, really I would. I have an assembly line mentality all tourqe (mada) ed up in the back of my mind and ready to go. Everything I'd need is available at the local hardware store. <grin> –Ben-(anybody get the pun?>
#89178From: David KieltykaOct 15, 1987 12:08 AM
Ben, Hitler no doubt thought he was doing the world a big favor by murdering three quarters of my family, not to mention the millions of others. We don't need any more self-appointed saviors of humankind. I don't believe there is such a thing as a benevolent dictator. As Herbert said, Power Attracts the Corruptible. Go reread "God Emperor of Dune." Even if your intentions are good now, you would turn into a tyrant…and someone like me would be forced to kill you. Dave
#89213From: Ben BlishOct 15, 1987 1:14 AM
Oh, I've read God Emperor, and all the rest of Dune, too. recently, again, even. I didn't miss that point. I wouldn't live a zillion years, though, so I'm not anywhere near as irritating as The Worm. I _might_ institiute a tradition or social path that lasts, though — since what I propose is really only fair. I don't have to be the one to do it… I only volunteered. You said it yourself — when an irritant becomes too much, you kill it. You would have killed hitler, I'd kill the guy next door if he raped (1) one 0b00000001 Jew or Black. What's the difference? iS hitler more of a criminal? I don't think so. He's just an asshole who made it to power. He needed to be killed, and we did it. –Ben–