The Dark Shadow Shrine

embrace the darkness; that you may see the light nestled within it......

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Punishments and Terrorism

When doing qns on punishments, do not forget terrorists, not so much as a point, but as an example that can give u a point.
Note:
- the harsh punishments and OTHER alternatives to harsh punishments the Singapore govt used agst terrorism...note that harsh punishments per se are not effective deterrents agst terrorists as they go into the act with the readiness to sacrifice their life....One important OTHER alternative is engaging the community to be the eyes and ears of the govt...more penetrative, and hence more effective than CCTVs (cynics will call this spying or secret police of the Nazis) The accompanying eg to this on how the JI attempts to blow up Singapore were uncovered......
-the colourful comparison of terrorists to pickpockets
-Malaysia's repeal of the ISA, only to reinstate it shortly under another name upon realising that they need harsh laws (not to confuse with punishments?) to combat terrorism
-Note the loophole/limitation to harsh laws/punishment
-the example I mentioned in lesson of the religious leader in Indonesia who's the brain/mastermind behind the 2002 Bali Bombing.....Abu Bakar Bashir. Apparently, he was spared the death penalty for his role in the bombing due to the tremendous influence he has on his religious followers. Instead of the death penalty, he was imprisoned instead (not sure whether it's for life...go google lah), and even then, given five star treatment in jail and a lot of freedom. Compare this with the opposition leader of the protest riots in Bangkok, Suthep. Do you think he'll be given the maximum penalty accorded under the law if Yingluck managed to nab him and indict him in court? Recognise that he has powerful links with the top brass of the influential Thai military as well as the powerful elites in Bangkok, not to mention the Thai monarchy.
Here's some pics of the protest riots in Bangkok I took...not the current one, but the bloody one in 2008?

I like this one, the commercial symbol of Central World Shopping Mall  'enmeshed' in the net set up to provide shade to the Red Shirts 'camping' below.....it's like commercialism being entrapped and strangled by the protest...





Sample Qns:
1) How effective are harsh punishments in dealing with crime?
2) To what extent is it possible to make the punishment fit the crime? (Cambridge 2013)
3) Is it ever possible to eradicate terrorism?