Yes it's a matter of perspective. It is also barbaric to rape someone, stab them with a knife, or beat them to a pulp. It seems fairer that the guilty are subjected to barbaric treatment then the innocent. In the end someone has to pay the price - which group should it be?sundaymorningstaple wrote:It's interesting that my mother and I had a similar discussion a couple of nights ago about this very thing. She also thought the system was very barbaric until she looked at it from a different (my) POV.
After reading up on the practice a little bit I've noticed a few things:sundaymorningstaple wrote:It's interesting that my mother and I had a similar discussion a couple of nights ago about this very thing. She also thought the system was very barbaric until she looked at it from a different (my) POV.
From where I sit, If we had more draconian laws in the US, Maybe we wouldn't have as high crime rates, drug problems or delinquency problems. I don't know. But, I do know this.... If you do the crime after all the warnings you get in Singapore from the moment you step off the airplane (actually while you are in the air before even landing) even before you get through immigration, then the punishment is warranted as you would have had to deliberately, with pre-meditation commit the crime (regardless of the nature of the crime). By making the punishment excessive, one would have to think twice about committing the crime. Therefore, no punishment is excessive if it accomplishes what it was designed to do - prevention of crime. It's only excessive when you "break the law". Solution? Don't break the law. Simple. Personally? I would like to see the US enact the same laws as are here.
...as long as nobody gets the bright idea of using the same punishment for violations against "harmonious society" or for "acts of defamation." and there is due process--with proper representation and a fighting chance.ksl wrote:I'm 100% for this system cane as well! Everyone knows the risks, so they have only themselves to blame. It's mostly barbarians at one end of the yardstick or the other, that commit crimes
You can die from the stress from being arrested and there is no absolute guaranty for anything of this sort. I guess the risk of wrong judgement in these two cases is similar.poodlek wrote:After reading up on the practice a little bit I've noticed a few things:
-it's reserved for men under the age of 50
-it's done only after a doctor has certified the individual physically fit
-it's done in such a way as not to cause any life threatening (or even permanent, other than scarring) damage.
While it would be easy to determine whether the gender/age guidelines are followed, there is a bit of wiggle room for judgement on the other two points.
poodlek wrote:After reading up on the practice a little bit I've noticed a few things:sundaymorningstaple wrote:It's interesting that my mother and I had a similar discussion a couple of nights ago about this very thing. She also thought the system was very barbaric until she looked at it from a different (my) POV.
From where I sit, If we had more draconian laws in the US, Maybe we wouldn't have as high crime rates, drug problems or delinquency problems. I don't know. But, I do know this.... If you do the crime after all the warnings you get in Singapore from the moment you step off the airplane (actually while you are in the air before even landing) even before you get through immigration, then the punishment is warranted as you would have had to deliberately, with pre-meditation commit the crime (regardless of the nature of the crime). By making the punishment excessive, one would have to think twice about committing the crime. Therefore, no punishment is excessive if it accomplishes what it was designed to do - prevention of crime. It's only excessive when you "break the law". Solution? Don't break the law. Simple. Personally? I would like to see the US enact the same laws as are here.
-it's reserved for men under the age of 50
-it's done only after a doctor has certified the individual physically fit
-it's done in such a way as not to cause any life threatening (or even permanent, other than scarring) damage.
While it would be easy to determine whether the gender/age guidelines are followed, there is a bit of wiggle room for judgement on the other two points. As long as there was 0% chance that I would die or have any lasting ill-effects (issues with nerve damage or affecting my ability to walk) I would not be afraid to step up and take this punishment, especially if it meant reduced prison time. I don't see how this would be a very big deterrent to a certain type of hardened criminals in the West, although I understand its role in shaming the individual here in the East.[/list]
I doubt it. Grown men beg judges to extend their jail time rather than be caned. The pain is excruciating and therein lies the deterrent effect. There are some first hand accounts on that link I posted.poodlek wrote:I would not be afraid to step up and take this punishment, especially if it meant reduced prison time.
I read the descriptions and I think I've endured and survived worse than that already...I'm the type of person who would choose physical pain over mental anguish any day of the week. It's moot anyway, since I'm a woman and I have no intention of committing a crimeWind In My Hair wrote:I doubt it. Grown men beg judges to extend their jail time rather than be caned. The pain is excruciating and therein lies the deterrent effect. There are some first hand accounts on that link I posted.poodlek wrote:I would not be afraid to step up and take this punishment, especially if it meant reduced prison time.
Are we talking from experience or bloody pictures. pain is pain, no matter if the skin splits or not, and i can guarantee you I would prefer being whipped by a legal entity than a psychopathic school teacher without control. I can tell you for certain and I'm sure many that have been whipped will verify that the cane in the wrong hands is a fearful experience and back in those days, certain teachers were actually feared as they got their enjoyment out of beating you.x9200 wrote:Somebody pointed here before to a link showing the caning punishment carried out in Malaysia. This was, IIRC, at the time of the graffiti on MRT case. You should be able to find it. Comparing it even remotely to caning at school is a gross misunderstanding and I am not surprised some people beg judges for an exchange to the jail sentence.
Like 24 strokes yes i agree, though only for the severest of crimes and repeat offenders, they need to learn the hard way i guess.SMS:making the punishment excessive,
You have got to be kidding me right! The jerk new the risks, and the cane and pain are strokes on a bare bottom so what.x9200 wrote:Ksl, have you seen the video? This is not about blood. It happened that I posted a link to one article but at first I did not spot the link to the video at the bottom of the page. Quality is rather poor but good enough to get an idea.
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/06/swi ... s-of-cane/
I am not against caning and I think it serves its purpose but yourself and poodlek seem to take it a bit too lightly or have here some misconceptions.
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