http://glasses-justice.livejournal.com/ (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
glasses-justice.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2010-04-13 02:20 pm
glasses-justice.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2010-04-13 02:20 pm
Entry tags:
Concepts of Justice and The Law [Period 4, Class #14, Apr 13]
Alex was not quite her usual self today, but she was making a valiant effort as she entered class and nodded at her students.
"This is our last regular class together," she said. "Next week, there's a final. So today's topic is going to be short, so we can get to any final review you guys might want to cover."
And also because Alex was drained, and most of her students didn't seem much better off.
"Today's topic is cruel and unusual punishment. When the law is punitive, when the state wants to make examples out of dissidents, sometimes the result is the most painful and tortuous hardship that can be handed out. Order the convict to do manual labor, or be whipped publicly. Execute him in such a gruesome fashion that you're sure everyone else watching is terrified of the same thing being applied to them."
Or just break them psychologically. It was like Alex's syllabus was working against her.
"As a result, as we move towards justice and away from vengeance, many systems place in restrictions against cruel and unusual punishment. This means excessive punishment for minor infractions -- say, executing someone who stole your lunch -- as well as outlawing certain acts entirely. At this point, capital punishment was changed with an eye towards humane killing, if there is such a thing. Instant, painless death, as much as could be guaranteed, instead of drawn-out public suffering. All the same, many detractors believe any state-sponsored killing violates this rule."
Alex ran one hand through her hair. "Guys, I'm sorry. I'm not on my game today. This topic deserves a better treatment than I'm giving it, but this will have to do for today. Let's talk about cruel and unusual punishment, and then cover any review questions you might have. If there's time left, we can ... talk about your kids."
Entirely professional, that. But somehow it seemed like cruel and unusual punishment to try to have a rigorous class today.
"This is our last regular class together," she said. "Next week, there's a final. So today's topic is going to be short, so we can get to any final review you guys might want to cover."
And also because Alex was drained, and most of her students didn't seem much better off.
"Today's topic is cruel and unusual punishment. When the law is punitive, when the state wants to make examples out of dissidents, sometimes the result is the most painful and tortuous hardship that can be handed out. Order the convict to do manual labor, or be whipped publicly. Execute him in such a gruesome fashion that you're sure everyone else watching is terrified of the same thing being applied to them."
Or just break them psychologically. It was like Alex's syllabus was working against her.
"As a result, as we move towards justice and away from vengeance, many systems place in restrictions against cruel and unusual punishment. This means excessive punishment for minor infractions -- say, executing someone who stole your lunch -- as well as outlawing certain acts entirely. At this point, capital punishment was changed with an eye towards humane killing, if there is such a thing. Instant, painless death, as much as could be guaranteed, instead of drawn-out public suffering. All the same, many detractors believe any state-sponsored killing violates this rule."
Alex ran one hand through her hair. "Guys, I'm sorry. I'm not on my game today. This topic deserves a better treatment than I'm giving it, but this will have to do for today. Let's talk about cruel and unusual punishment, and then cover any review questions you might have. If there's time left, we can ... talk about your kids."
Entirely professional, that. But somehow it seemed like cruel and unusual punishment to try to have a rigorous class today.