Duke Bushido Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Yeah, I get that, too, LL. It's simply that at the end of all that-- well, he's still alive. He's still "free," in a sense, that he will be protected, fed, and taken care of for the rest of his life, without undue need to stress over his own needs. Guys like this-- I find that unconscionable. Dead. Dead is perfect. Dead is ideal. Dead, and damed fast. By his own hand? Well that's just gravy. I like gravy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Consider this: If Epstein actually committed suicide, it was because continuing to live through his present circumstances had become intolerable to him. Which, then, would really have been the greater punishment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Bushido Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 I have considered it. So you know where I am coming drom: outside of fiction, I don't believe in the "two wrongs make a right" thing. A short and torturous life inflicted in your assailant. I find it even worse when it is in keeping with the wishes of the victim. Don't get me wrong: I _understand_ feeling that way. However, I can't call it healing or closure; I can only call it being given the legal right to prove you are just as evil. Dead, though--dead is great. No more victims; no chance of revictimizing the old victims. No media, no interviews playing for six months and then again for a "five years later" segment--no trace left amongst the living. This is ideal. Bad analogy, but akin to the Bin Laden burial at sea: no grave site to vandalize or martyr, etc: just gone. Yeah: I know most other places aren't big on the death penalty. But in terms of done, just flat out _done_, dead and forgotten is my personal favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 All you say makes great sense, and aligns with how I personally feel on the matter. But with respect, you and I don't have to live with the consequences of what Jeffrey Epstein did to his victims. They do. Dead isn't dead for them. Epstein will never be dead for them. We will never truly understand what they went through, and we can't really tell them what they should need to find closure. Pattern Ghost 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Bushido Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 And with equal respect-and promptly dropping the matter, as we both obviously have strong and differing opinions on appropriate measures in such cases-- I offer that letting him "live with the horrors of his soul" or what-have-you offers nothing but the chance for society--or a satiated victim-- to come to the realization that they, ultimately, may be no better that the person who's torment brings them satisfaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 Hispanics in El Paso flock to firearms classes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermit Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 2 minutes ago, Old Man said: Hispanics in El Paso flock to firearms classes What's good for El Ganso is good for La Oca Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranxerox Posted August 13, 2019 Report Share Posted August 13, 2019 3 hours ago, Duke Bushido said: And with equal respect-and promptly dropping the matter, as we both obviously have strong and differing opinions on appropriate measures in such cases-- I offer that letting him "live with the horrors of his soul" or what-have-you offers nothing but the chance for society--or a satiated victim-- to come to the realization that they, ultimately, may be no better that the person who's torment brings them satisfaction. And you would be incredibly wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattern Ghost Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 5 hours ago, Old Man said: Hispanics in El Paso flock to firearms classes That's painful to read. The author is so unfamiliar with his subject matter that the details he chooses to use detract from the story rather than add anything to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermit Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/hong-kong-airport-reopens-after-overnight-clashes-mass-protests/ar-AAFLnfJ?li=BBnbfcN Major respect to the protesters. They are..incredibly brave. I worry for them. pinecone and ScottishFox 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 Yeah, hats off. I'm worried too; there's been photos of a huge troop buildup just over the border in China. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 The reports I've been following state that it's young people who are the core of the protests. That's the same as what happened in Tiananmen Square, and I don't think it's a coincidence that this year is the 30th anniversary of the demonstrations there. As in that earlier protest, my concern is the young protesters won't be content with the victory they already won in suspending the extradition bill, and will continue to push the Chinese government until it resorts to force to counter them, which we already know it's willing to do. Hong Kong's semi-autonomous status is more precarious than when the former British colony was transferred to Chinese control. Back then its economy represented a much larger percentage of the total Chinese GDP than it does today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 They're pushing because they know the government's "suspension" of the extradition bill is temporary at best. There won't be a "victory" until a non-puppet is running Hong Kong. Problem is I don't think that can happen without a lot of people getting killed. The Chinese government will have to decide between possibly wrecking HK and taking a short term economic hit, or potentially losing it in the long term. And the Chinese government tends to take the long view on issues like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 I agree they tend to take the long view; but the long view for them is always the maintenance of order in China above any other consideration, and the supremacy of the Communist Party as the vehicle for maintaining order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermit Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 I can't see it ending well; but I sure pray it does. Regardless of how it turns out, I believe the term for the protesters is "Magnificent Valor" Either that or 'how do they possibly walk straight with balls that huge?' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 The protestors have my respect and admiration, but I think there's also some, "They don't know what they've gotten into and don't know when to slow down," at play here. A common feature of youth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cancer Posted August 14, 2019 Report Share Posted August 14, 2019 Science fiction as policy "tool" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan D. Hurricanes Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 Members of German crossbow sex cult suicide pact took knock-out drops before they were willingly killed in attempt to be 'reborn in a higher realm' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermit Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 7 minutes ago, Logan.1179 said: Members of German crossbow sex cult suicide pact took knock-out drops before they were willingly killed in attempt to be 'reborn in a higher realm' Germany has a Florida? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan D. Hurricanes Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 32 minutes ago, Hermit said: Germany has a Florida? Florida is everywhere! But it started here. Hermit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pariah Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 On 8/14/2019 at 8:52 AM, Cancer said: Science fiction as policy "tool" I've got a friend who's a university professor (Communications) who just took one-year sabbatical to focus on writing a book on comic book superheroines as a metaphor for the #metoo movement. Of course, good science fiction has always had a strong element of social and political commentary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cancer Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 Mauna Kea observatories are open again for astronomy observations, though not construction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
death tribble Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 2 hours ago, Logan.1179 said: Members of German crossbow sex cult suicide pact took knock-out drops before they were willingly killed in attempt to be 'reborn in a higher realm' I remember this being on the news just about the people had been killed by crossbow. Nothing else. This is just bizarre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starlord Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 Mulan lead actress supports Hong Kong police driving negativity toward Disney Cathay Pacific CEO resigns after the airline is rebuked by Chinese government due some employees being protesters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmjalund Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 crossbow sex is a thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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