A punishment is imposed not on the basis of how many lives an offense claims but on the reaction of the masses . . . the best, if not the only, way to channel the anger of the enraged people in China.

Interesting post Webster, thanks. Seems to be an…

The ironic thing about Locke's statement is, whether the death penalty is an effective deterrent or not, this is the Chinese government acting with the full support of the people. If anything, a democratic Chinese government would be even less likely to spare the death penalty.

Maybe that is exactly…

When has Keith Locke ever gotten the right end of the stick?

Hmm yes, I've been most suspicious of the man ever since I caught him at Bellamy's eating sushi with a fork *and* a knife.

Most suspicious.

Don't think they've managed to do that deterred from crime survey yet...

There's lots of evidence that potential penalties have a limited effect in preventing people from committing crime. Try google.

Is there any evidence that a death penalty is more effective at deterring economic crimes than it is at deterring violent crimes (ie, not much at all?).

Don't think they've managed to do that deterred from crime survey yet...

I don't know, Kyle,isn't it really a question of would a…

Seems like a good argument in support of white collar corruption being more receptive to punitive deterrence, but you couldn't say for sure until more white collar criminals are executed and we have a more…

He's another reason the Greens just cannot be taken seriously.

Maybe they should shoot people in the street for minor but annoying opffences, like stopping on the motorway. Oh, wait..

Well, it's not just the likelihood of deterrence, but the public harm of the crime, too.

Possibly people might think more about the consequences, as it's not so 'heat of…

Thanks Fonterra!

A good friend of mine who has spent years living in various parts of Asia assures me that you can get fat on their food too, and had the man-boobs to prove it.

The…

If the death penalty can deter these economic crimes, and these economic crimes affect millions of people, isn't it worth it?

Is there any evidence that a death penalty is more effective at deterring economic crimes than it is at deterring violent crimes (ie, not much at all?).

Possibly people…

The poor old greens were really in a bind on commenting on the Sanlu executions
On one hand they are always whinning about food purity while on the other hand here is someone (a loverly left wing government) dealing to the bad guys by execution

Double bind…

Maybe they should shoot people in the street for minor but annoying opffences, like stopping on the motorway. Oh, wait..

What really did it for me though was all the young women on scooters with evening gloves and masks – if your cultural concept of beauty revolves around staying…