Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site randvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!randvax!edhall From: edhall@randvax.UUCP (Ed Hall) Newsgroups: net.flame,net.politics Subject: Re: Bastille mentality alive and well in USA Message-ID: <2153@randvax.UUCP> Date: Thu, 29-Nov-84 12:43:20 EST Article-I.D.: randvax.2153 Posted: Thu Nov 29 12:43:20 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 2-Dec-84 05:08:47 EST References: <259@spp2.UUCP>, <1220@dciem.UUCP> <90@cadre.UUCP> Organization: Rand Corp., Santa Monica Lines: 32 Xref: sdcsvax net.flame:6729 net.politics:5667 > Postulate: The death penalty reduces the chance that the > killer will kill again. > > If: There is a finite chance that a killer let off without > the death penalty will kill you. > > Then: The death penalty reduces the probability that you > will be murdered. > > Q.E.D. Let's try again: Postulate: The chance of being murdered is directly proportional to the violence of your society. If: Your society sanctions institutionalized violence Then: You live in a violent society Therefore: The death penalty increases your probability of being murdered. Q.E.D. OK, I admit it isn't a water-tight argument. But check the murder rates for societies that support institutional killing against those who don't. There is statistical support for this argument! I'm over-simplifying? Agreed. But consider the argument in 90@cadre. -Ed Hall decvax!randvax!edhall