Let the Punishment Fit the Crime

[exedir]

35 years. That was the number of years I spend working in health care insurance and technology.

It is also the sentence given to PFC Bradley Manning. And of course he could be paroled so, the full 35 might never be served.

But then again, though PFC Manning is guilty, does that mean he should have been sentenced to 35 or should he have received a lesser or greater sentence? And what is the crime as to the punishment rendered.

Of course, this was a military court, and charges that are a part of what the military believes as crime such conduct, that is, deferential to military discipline and order, insubordination, the willful disregard of the chain of command and aiding and abetting the enemy would not be involved in a civilian court.

We will also soon have the disposition of Major Hasan, the shooter at Fort Hood, the killer of 13 and the wounding of 30 others. In this case, Major Hasan is doing almost all he can do to incur the death penalty that he stated he wanted as his sentence, and be a martyr for Islam.

And we can consider the possible punishment of Edward Snowden if he is ever brought to justice in the United States. His crime is certainly bracketed between what the military does in the cases of Manning and Hasan, or, is there something else to be considered in the Snowden case. Not what he did, not what he caused but the very thing involved in what Edward Snowden revealed, to the nation, world and those who might wish the United States, those in the United States and friends of the United States harm, possibly great harm and be able to do so with greater facility because of what was revealed.

Whistle blower or acts of espionage, helping the enemy in a time of war, or a patriot and concern
citizen protecting the public and personal well-being of Americans from its overreaching
government and authorities committing illegal and unconstitutional acts.

Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were convicted of spying and carrying out acts against the security of the United States for stealing and then turning over secrets of the American nuclear bomb program to the Soviet Union. Their reported motive was to prevent the United States from having a hegemony of the nuclear weapons and in service to their personal communist ideals of the survival of the Soviet state against its capitalistic enemies. Their punishment for what they were accused and convicted of, was death, death in the electric chair.

"...My object all sublime
I shall achieve in time —
To let the punishment fit the crime —
The punishment fit the crime;
And make each prisoner pent
Unwillingly represent
A source of innocent merriment!
Of innocent merriment!..." The Mikdao/A More Humane Mikado, 1885, W.S Gilbert and
Arthur Sullivan

[LoveLife&Laughter]

 Patriots and concerned citizens both know the cost of treason.  There are better ways...

As for the crazy doctor, he didn't do anything that many other mass murders have done in movie theaters, schools, Dennys, McDonalds, etc.  Are we picking on him only because he's Muslim?

[exedir]

Terrorist and terrorism, is the kinda of  I know it when I see it, thing.  

In almost very location in the United States on a daily basis some sort of crime is committed involving fear, fear of usually physical harm.  It can be the one-on-one crime from the loss of personal property to the random shootings in a cross fire due to gang revenge, control of turf or illegal enterprises, or all of the above in places where people live and work.  Certainly terrorism is not specific to a religious belief, however, some beliefs can be motivation to hurt and kill others as an expression of a belief.  And of course, beliefs do not need to be religious; they can be racial, ethic, political and otherwise social of a them vs. us mentality.  

And as to picking on the perpetrator, the issue is what is criminal and what is social, ethnic and religious expression, and yes words can hurt, but shooting, stabbing and blowup something up can be and is fatal. 

[exedir]

So, its death.  Major Hasan has his punishment recommendation from his jury.  

Of course, this will be reviewed at a minimum by the post's commander before it is moved up in the chain of command and subject to appeal.  

And yes, some say that it is what Major Hasan was going for, martyrdom which is of course a reason for reducing the punishment, which could be the Major's point as a matter of strategy, he gains either way.