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From: rrizzo@bbncca.ARPA (Ron Rizzo)
Newsgroups: net.motss
Subject: re: Turning the Other Cheek
Message-ID: <1635@bbncca.ARPA>
Date: Thu, 12-Dec-85 13:02:34 EST
Article-I.D.: bbncca.1635
Posted: Thu Dec 12 13:02:34 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 14-Dec-85 00:30:43 EST
Organization: Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, Ma.
Lines: 28

Why weren't the killers sentenced to life imprisonment or death (if Canada
has capital punishment for murder one)?  I found the light sentences they
received shocking; they weren't all legally juveniles, were they?  Are they
eventually eligible for parole, as well?

What could possibly be a clearer case of premeditated murder, or of pure
malice, with utterly no motivation (in any sense which the law recognizes
or ought to), and literally NO extenuating circumstances?

How does this differ in kind from the Dan White case, with the exception
that the criminals and victim weren't public figures, and thus not suitable
subjects for mythologizing?

Pardon me for saying so, but I find any sympathy for the "kids" a serious
sign of real decadence in civilization:  an expression of a squeamish and
scandalous unwillingness to enforce basic sanctions against the most heinous
acts.

Vince, what makes your feelings any different from those of the jurors in 
the Dan White case who were overcome with pity over the "tragic" effects 
of occupational stress on a decent guy (White)?

I'd like to believe I can support worthy causes like death penalty abolition,
but frankly I think I'd relish the chance to be a member of a firing squad
that would blow these "kids" out of this world.


						Ron Rizzo