Right to Live & Reason to Kill
I guess what happened today morning is what got me to finally write, what I am about to. While reading the paper early this morning, I heard the bedroom door creak. Scampering out of it was Jaden, who soon got his li'l legs to carry him past me, to the kitchen where Alphy was. He sprang into her arms and planted a broad morning kiss. Alphy's grin was huge.
Could there be a better start to a morning?
But at times there aren't. A few days ago I woke up to news of a brutal murder, of a family of three in Bangalore. The murdered included a girl of eight. Reading the story was heartbreaking. It seems the girl just before she was done to death was sketching something on paper. Because when her body was found, beside it was pencil and paper.
The police seem to be close to cracking the case. I hope they do. And then I hope the honorable courts find whoever responsible for death of the child, not worthy to live. I hope its a death penalty for the murderers.
Now there's a distinct possibility that my reasoning is driven by emotions, especially since I am a father to a three year old son. But I know it isn't. Because I believe society must find a minuscule minority who commit such crimes not fit to their lives. In letting them live, you disrespect the right to life of a murdered li'l girl. Of course, I am in no way suggesting that opportunity for reform be denied to criminals. In fact, every chance possible must be given for reform. Yet for people who commit crimes sans any semblance of humanity, no such favours should be given. And in denying it, and doing away with them, society rids itself of evil. Also, let this be known, in doing so, society in no way turns barbaric. If society didn't, call that heartless and barbaric.
As John McAdams at Marquette University's Department of Political Science said on deterrence (oft quoted as to why death Penalty should be abolished), "If we execute murderers and there is in fact no deterrent effect, we have killed a bunch of murderers. If we fail to execute murderers, and doing so would in fact have deterred other murders, we have allowed the killing of a bunch of innocent victims. I would much rather risk the former. This, to me, is not a tough call."
I know Human lives are no comparison to anything else, yet, I think I may draw some parallels. In business too, there come times when the plug must be pulled. Off brands that fail consumers. Letting them potter around is unfair to other brands in the firm, that do well. Or brands that can replace them. 'Turnaround' is a good idea. Business History has its set of turnaround brands that have bounced back. Yet, when one's sure the brand's beyond repair, its better to show no mercy. Its better to pull the plug.
Its the right and the most sensible thing to do. Period.
For readers interested in the contentious issue of Death Penalty, I'd recommend ProDeathPenalty. Its definitely worth the visit.
Could there be a better start to a morning?
But at times there aren't. A few days ago I woke up to news of a brutal murder, of a family of three in Bangalore. The murdered included a girl of eight. Reading the story was heartbreaking. It seems the girl just before she was done to death was sketching something on paper. Because when her body was found, beside it was pencil and paper.
The police seem to be close to cracking the case. I hope they do. And then I hope the honorable courts find whoever responsible for death of the child, not worthy to live. I hope its a death penalty for the murderers.
Now there's a distinct possibility that my reasoning is driven by emotions, especially since I am a father to a three year old son. But I know it isn't. Because I believe society must find a minuscule minority who commit such crimes not fit to their lives. In letting them live, you disrespect the right to life of a murdered li'l girl. Of course, I am in no way suggesting that opportunity for reform be denied to criminals. In fact, every chance possible must be given for reform. Yet for people who commit crimes sans any semblance of humanity, no such favours should be given. And in denying it, and doing away with them, society rids itself of evil. Also, let this be known, in doing so, society in no way turns barbaric. If society didn't, call that heartless and barbaric.
As John McAdams at Marquette University's Department of Political Science said on deterrence (oft quoted as to why death Penalty should be abolished), "If we execute murderers and there is in fact no deterrent effect, we have killed a bunch of murderers. If we fail to execute murderers, and doing so would in fact have deterred other murders, we have allowed the killing of a bunch of innocent victims. I would much rather risk the former. This, to me, is not a tough call."
I know Human lives are no comparison to anything else, yet, I think I may draw some parallels. In business too, there come times when the plug must be pulled. Off brands that fail consumers. Letting them potter around is unfair to other brands in the firm, that do well. Or brands that can replace them. 'Turnaround' is a good idea. Business History has its set of turnaround brands that have bounced back. Yet, when one's sure the brand's beyond repair, its better to show no mercy. Its better to pull the plug.
Its the right and the most sensible thing to do. Period.
For readers interested in the contentious issue of Death Penalty, I'd recommend ProDeathPenalty. Its definitely worth the visit.
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