KFL%MX.LCS.MIT.EDU@MC.LCS.MIT.EDU (10/01/86)
[ I'd say that anyone in prison (for whatever reason) knows the
dangers of attempting to escape. ...
So? People in the Soviet Union know the dangers of dissent. That
doesn't make dissent wrong.
My argument was that imprisonment is a harsh punishment and should
be reserved for severe crimes. You seem to think I was arguing that
people are not aware of the consequences of breaking laws?
What would be the substance of this ostracization you write of?
- CWM]
People can choose to refuse to talk to people whose behavior they
don't like. They can boycott their places of business. They can
refuse to work for such people. They can refuse to hire such people.
They can refuse to sell goods and services to such people. They can
try to talk other people into doing the same. This is more
constructive than trying to get a law passed against every little
thing. And it allows each person to "vote with their feet" about the
appropriateness of someone's behavior.
...Keith
[ So you think people in American prisons for criminal acts are like
Soviet dissidents? Charles Manson will be proud, so will comrade
Gorbachov.
Your 'voting with your feet' idea requires that everyone know about
this evil deed that the person is being punished for. How do you
propose this be done? Branding? Also, this punishment seems rather a
non-punishment for those with enough money to simply buy friends. (If
you don't think this will happen, think again.) - CWM]
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