I have just read “in Cold Blood”, a novel by Truman Capote, based on a real event in Kansas in 1959.
Two petty criminals who met in prison, agreed to rob a rich farmer in Kansas after their release.
They made preparations and an alibi and drove 800 miles, broke in late at night, tied up the four family members. There was no safe. They shot all four victims leaving with just $40 and a portable radio.
All they did leave was a bloody footprint.
They were identified by a former cell mate, who had told them of the rich farmer and been told by them of their plans to rob him
Arrested, they confessed and were tried, duly being sentenced to death.
There was a suggestion that the accused did not feel it was wrong … and that should save them from the noose.
To no avail – they were hanged in 1965 after many appeals.
As was right and just.
Many countries have now abolished the death penalty. Terrible crimes can be punishable by life imprisonment. This can actually mean as little as a dozen years in prison before parole is granted. At huge cost to the State.
I believe that a society that nurtures people who commit ghastly crimes and later releases them is eventually doomed.
If we can’t pull the trigger, we are not up for the job. Remember the Lindt cafe fiasco?
Rehabilitation is an unacceptable gamble.
At the 2021 “Summit for Democracy” President Biden said:
“Today, democracy is under more pressure than at any time since the 1930s…. Will we allow the backward slide of rights and democracy to continue unchecked? Democracy doesn’t happen by accident. We have to renew it with each generation. […] In my view, this is the defining challenge of our time.
President Macron said: ..”… the only political model that allows us to defend these rights and freedoms: democracy” –, adding that the fight was “more necessary than ever”.
Many are beginning to believe that: …the time has come for a world dominated by authoritarian powers, that the historical cycle of freedom has come to an end…..
So we see the surge of influence by authoritarian regimes. They have no compunction in using their power to obliterate opposition.
There, criminals receive short shrift, death penalties are common for all manner of acts. At the same time the sowing of destruction outside borders is actively promoted.
The democratic Western polities struggle mightily with huge issues like the right to declare oneself to be the opposite gender and unfettered rights to abortion.
Governments are unable to say “No”. Police must wear kid gloves to restrain the dangerous and disobedient. They must do so with a compulsory delicate etiquette. Children wreak havoc again and again despite frequent arrest.
Politicians are powerless to act without being pilloried by vociferous public dissent. They seek to keep their positions through the buying of public affection with the reckless disbursement of our revenue.
No wonder we are dissolving into disillusioned leaderless mobs, changing side every week. Soon the demagogues will turn vigilante.
We need some hard leaders who can say:
- We will act to solve our problems, despite outcry. We did it in the pandemic, we can do it again.
- Stop pussyfooting: squash disorder and crime quickly using the most effective means.
- No more public protests stopping traffic. If students fail, they leave university. If they misbehave, they will be expelled. They will repay their loans in full.
- The Review Tribunal will clear the Immigration backlog. Illegal entrants will be removed and can appeal from offshore. No more refugees/asylum seekers
- Tax carbon emissions; incentivise clean energy systems; let the market prevail.
- Minimise imports, maximise home grown
- Labour disputes to be resolved by Tribunals.
These are the things I would do if I was PM:
- Introduce nuclear power stations
- Introduce National Service for all school leavers
- Ban gender transition until 18 years of age
- Bring back the death penalty for murder, child molestation and drug traffickers
- Limit the right to silence, requiring explanations for compelling evidence. I would also dispense with juries
- Media would be banned from interviewing witnesses or accused persons.
sillysocksonfriday 