Leaving the good ole US of A

Constitutional Amendments...might we at sportsline do better? I'll present the Amendments in no particular order, or...more to the point...in whatever order arbitrarily suits me. Thusly:

Amendment 3 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment:

Excessive bail shall not be required, not excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

I will start by saying that I understand...and agree with...prohibitions against cruel punishments. If we have not yet managed to move firmly to whatever moral high ground prohibits "burning at the stake" or "flaying alive" then we clearly lack the wherewithal to make the fine distinctions required for full appreciation of this amendment.

But what about "unusual" punishment? Should we be confined in those ways? Why prohibit punitive measures distinguished only by their ingenuity? Do any of you have uncommon suggestions which would avoid the "cruelty" concerns...while still allowing some degree of creativity?

Please...try to take this seriously. If you can't manage that...do try to be entertaining.

tundrajaz Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 12, 2008	Posted on: April 7, 2008 9:18 pm Score: 88 Amendments Excellent topic Corvid, I many times find myself to be a proponent of the writings of Fyodor Dostoevsky when it comes to this topic. Maybe proponent is not the correct word. For those of you who may not be familiar with his work, Dostoevsky is the author of a compilation of works call Crime and Punishment. The writings focus on psychological, intelectual, and moral struggles of a poor ex-student who plans to murder a despised pawn broker in an effort eliminate his financial difficulties, while preaching moral values and expulsion of the world horrors. It is truly a literary masterpiece. Another excellent read is The Prince by Machiavelli. I know that the subject matter is a bit different and it was written about 330 years or so before Crime and Punishment but Machiavelli does discuss the topic of crualty and mercy. [ Reply to Comment ]
corvidgirl Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 1, 2007	Posted on: April 7, 2008 9:26 pm Score: 90 Amendments The "Dead Man Walking" mentality is absurd beyond understanding. Good. I thought I was the only one screaming at the TV...when we watched it. Cancel your subscription to Psychology Today. Surely you are not talking to me. I'm a certified cynic. Have we not settled that one little thing in past discussions? [ Reply to Comment ]
BufordBiffer Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 1, 2007	Posted on: April 7, 2008 9:34 pm Score: 96 Amendments Back to a creative and off the wall idea. As part of sentencing and behavior modification therapy for wife beaters I suggest court ordered monthly visits to a professional dominatrix to be selected by the courts. And yes the wife beater has to have his court slip signed by the dominatrix. [ Reply to Comment ]
corvidgirl Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 1, 2007	Posted on: April 7, 2008 9:36 pm Score: 89 Amendments Hi Tundra, Dostoevsky (Russians generally) is/are best read on a dreary winter's day...or maybe it's just me. I may already have poisoned the well with Machiavelli...but do give it a go. The Prince has such resonance...I think...with our current situation and this administration. Thanks for stopping in. [ Reply to Comment ]
corvidgirl Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 1, 2007	Posted on: April 7, 2008 9:52 pm Score: 89 Amendments

corvidgirl

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