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As I posted eleswhere, American laws don't always conform to the Constitution, including in matters of separation of Church and State. I'm not famialiar with the reason executions by the Federal government aren't performed on sabbaths. Is that just customary practice, executive order, or a law? If it is a law, like all laws, if a case challenging it is brought before the Surpreme Court and they agree to hear it, then they could knock it down. Decisions are subject to reversal by later Court rulings. In one era, the Supreme court ruled that separate but equal classrooms for black and white students was consitutional, in another it ruled separate is inherently unequal and ended racial segregation in all public schools. Frankly, I don't think this issue is of much concern to most Americans, as long as the job gets done. For most Iraqis, I'd say the sooner Saddam Hussein is executed, the happier they will be. They haven't forgotten that he murdered about a million of them, even if many in the west who oppose the invasion have.

A friend of mine visited Saudi Arabia and was astounded at the respect for law and order and the safety at night on the streets.

Obviously they have an OT type justice system which actually puts fear into the criminals and respects justice for the victims.

However our politically correct moral guardians will spend from now to eternity trying to invent a non-existent new way of dealing with crime. However the only way that was ever proven to work is with real deterrents. Yes I know I have heard social workers harp on about how various studies disprove this, but it works in Saudia Arabia and the UK crime rate is going nowhere fast. So the proof is in the pudding, not the research paper.

Not going into the SH case as I dont know the facts, but executions are not about state revenge, they are about balancing the scales of justice for victims and providing a deterrent to others. The criminal has sacrificed his rights- for the benefit of society- when he chose to do evil.

There are too many psyshological excuses made for criminals now, excusing them from responsibility for their actions.

Dont say real punishment doesnt work unless you can explain the law and order in Saudia Arabia (dont misquote me now, I know that it is not perfect but they have a better handle on it than the uk).

PB

Here in Miami Florida, I was at a restaurant where people were betting on the date and hour of Hussein's execution. Others predicted the beginning of the end for America. Other went to the Post Office in Coral Gables to share their shares.
I was at the Post Office in Coral Gables and there were three lines, one for passports [US Citizens are NOW REQUIRED to carry a passport with them at all times], Another line are for those who non US Citizens to mail their applications for US Citizen. A Third Line was for those who were selling their shares and leaving the NYSE and the USA. If it were not for Miami Florida, I would have left the USA a long time ago because at times I never felt part of the USA. Roberto PS: I probably would have gone to my Celtic Ancestral Homeland of Galicia or Distant Cousins like Scotland or Cornwall.

Roberto Carlos Alvarez-Galloso CPUR #3, I don't know where most Americans are required to carry US passports at all times or by whom but not in the United States. The overwhelming majority of Americans don't even have passports. Mine expired 28 years ago.

Unless you have committed a crime for which you are wanted by the police, America's exit door is always unlocked from the inside. Nobody should stay here if they don't want to. I find it hard to believe Miami would be enough of an attaction to keep anyone here. Personally, the only time I've ever been there or would go there is in transit to somewhere else...cruise ships leave from Port Miami, lots of them. Of course I'd certainly find it preferable to Cuba.

pb, I also find it hard to believe that anyone in the western world hasn't been so bombarded by reports of Saddam Hussein's crimes against humanity that they wouldn't know a fair amount about them. To escape it, I'd think they'd have to live in a cave.

I was beginning to wonder if this pb fellow is for real, or whether he was someone's idea of irony. His comments here defending the justice and security system in Saudi Arabia confirm my suspicion that he is a piss-take.

Children are executed in Saudi Arabia. Gay men and lesbians are executed for being gay. Women are executed in the most sexist circumstances. Hands are chopped off thieves. The human rights record of Saudi Arabia is an embarrassment to every nation with a relationship with that country. I support fully the UK's continued diplomatic ties with the Saudis, partly in the hope that some Western notions of human rights will begin to pervade their system and deal with those appalling yet legal abuses. Is PB seriously defending those approaches to "law and order"? Madness.

Brendan- No, I assure you, PB is for real. I'm still grappling with this myself, but I understand he believes everything he says! Incredible, but true. Love ya PB.

Post 4 Mark wrote: "The overwhelming majority of Americans don't even have passports. Mine expired 28 years ago."

Ah, now I understand!

Peace,
Maureen

S, Arabia issues justice based on law that is well out of date, however, what are the re-offend rates for stealing after the thief has had his hands chopped off?
SH has got what he deserved, granted, we may have assisted him to power, but never asked him to murder his innocent people.

Mark, John

Obviously everyone knows SH was arrested tried and executed after the US invasion.

But I mean to say, I dont know the *details* of the charges and evidence presented and whether it actually amounted to a fair trial in those terms - do you two?

PB

All you guys delibertately misreading me,

didnt I say that the legal system in SA was not perfect? I have the Amnesty International yearbook and am well aware of its record on human rights.

but I notice none of you actually took up my challenge... hmmm I wonder why???

Afraid?

Can anyone explain why the streets in Saudia Arabia are safe to walk around at night compared to the UK?

Well?

Anyone step up the mark or just the usual shamefull and cowardly ad hominen rubbish?

Well?? Des? Brendan??

Come one, Id like to see it?

The chap who visited SA adn explained all this to me was a liberal Irish Catholic, so what was his excuse I wonder?

My post acknowledged that SA is not perfect but my initial point stands tall; A legal system that puts fear into criminals works.

One key point is that I agree such legal systems are usually sexist in practice. Christ dealt with a women caught in adultery, but the man had been let go, which was contrary to the law.

However if adultery was actually a legal offence which carried a real legal penalty (doesnt have to be execution) how much more stable would the any society be?

Most juvenille offenders do not come from homes where there is a stable marriage.

I wont hold my breath for any of you "intellectuals" to try and answer the issues and not simply sneer.

PB

By the way Brendan, JW, Des

just in case you think I am making up my own ideas on this...

I would not actually advocate anyone replicate the SA judicial system.

What I was pointing out was that it is in some respects it would be much closer to the Old Testament judicial system than the west's and therein lies the strengths of it.

(My liberal Catholic's opinion, there by the way).

What I would actually advocate is an adaptation of the Old Testament judicial system, the main premise being that the scales of justice should balance...

a joyrider killing two innocent people for fun would not be getting out of jail in 18 months... you can be sure of that...

PB

oh and John Wright...

funnny how you can find time to blog again now after you had to bow out when you were getting yo backside whupped on religion and PR ;-)

Love ya!

PB

For Mark #3: Republicans and Democrats always make up excuses for their repressive tendencies.