Victorian Bushfires

[BigDumbDinosaur]

The theory behind capital punishment is it supposedly a deterrent to similar crimes.  The fact that capital crimes continue to be committed despite the availability and usage of capital punishment in many jurisdictions in the USA conclusively demonstrates that it isn't a deterrent.  Perhaps this is because criminals often get away with their crimes, either because they aren't caught or because they get acquitted during trial due to some legal maneuver.  whatever the cause, it just doesn't work as a deterrent.

The best thing to do with a person who is convicted of a capital crime is to incarcerate him/her for natural life and no possibility of parole, with only the barest subsistence and necessities being provided.  The anti-capital punishment crowd will be satisfied that a life was spared, however vile that individual may be, and the prisoner will live a life of extreme monotony and isolation from society.  I can't speak for the sort of people who commit capital crimes, but I'd be willing to wager that the prospect of remaining behind bars, unable to look forward to anything but seemingly endless days and nights of isolation until death comes to pass, is much worse a punishment than execution.

[airship]

You'd be surprised. My sister works in the California prison system, and has for many years. Prisoners form their own societies 'inside' and seem to work things much as we do on the outside. There are leaders and followers. There's a barter system of exchange, trading both rare goods and personal services.

As to amenities, most prisons have a gym, TV (either individual or communal), and a library. Since they don't have to worry about a place to sleep, or food, or medical care, or clothing, the focus of the internal economy is on luxuries that aren't normally available.

Many leaders of criminal gangs continue to run their operations from within prison walls. They bribe guards and attorneys to help them do business, and there is always a steady stream of their own gang members coming into prison and going back home who can carry messages.

There are, of course, many differences. There are no women, but they make up for that. Prisoners who engage in 'alternative' sexual practices are quick to point out that they are not gay - they're only making do. Interesting.

But much of what drives prison life is the same 'us versus them' mentality that seems to run the world outside. You have to be in a gang for protection from 'them'.

It's certainly not any place I'd like to spend any time; I just question whether or not it's actually much in the way of 'punishment' for most criminals, at least for the ones who live a criminal lifestyle.

[RobertB]

There are no women...

Except in women's prisons.

                 Truly,
                 Robert Bernardo
                 Fresno Commodore User Group
                 http://videocam.net.au/fcug
                 CommVEx v5 info - http://www.commodore.ca/forum and click on ComVEX

[airship]

Thank you for that 'well, duh!' moment, Robert.

[Blacklord]

Are you sure they're women ??  :|

[BigDumbDinosaur]

Are you sure they're women ??  :|

According to all those "Chained Heat" movies they are—and very horny. 

[airship]

I just learned that the Victoria fires have destroyed the fantasy woodland sculpture garden created by Bruno Torfs. Very, very sad.

http://stylefrizz.com/200805/bruno-torfs-fantasy-sculpture-garden-tour/

[Blacklord]

More flare-ups :

http://www.theage.com.au/national/firefighters-battle-new-outbreak-of-victorian-bushfires-20090224-8g17.html

[RobertB]

...the Victoria fires have destroyed the fantasy woodland sculpture garden created by Bruno Torfs. Very, very sad.

Yes, a tragedy that all that beautiful art was destroyed.  Let's hope it can be re-created.

                     Truly,
                     Robert Bernardo
                     Fresno Commodore User Group
                     http://videocam.net.au/fcug
                     CommVEx v5 info - http://www.commodore.ca/forum and click on ComVEX

[Blacklord]

Victorian fire authorities say they are under pressure as they try to control fire fronts which now stretch for 1,100 kilometres.

Crews are worried towns could be threatened again if the forecast hot and windy weather arrives tomorrow.

Department of Sustainability and Environment's spokesman Stuart Ord says crews have been working on containment lines around spot fires near Daylesford and Eildon, north-east of Melbourne.

"I don't think we couldn't say we're on top," he said. "We've done some fantastic work over the last two weeks.

"Tomorrow's just going to test us. It's going to test all of our containment lines. It's going to put pressure more so in some places than in other places.

"We will do our best tomorrow to ensure that none of these fires make a run."

[Blacklord]

It's over: Victorian fires contained

All of Victoria's bushfires have now been contained.
Emergency services said the Wilsons Promontory Cathedral fire was finally contained at 10am (AEDT) today, ending the last major bushfire that had been threatening Victoria since Black Saturday.

Australia's worst natural disaster has claimed the lives of 210 Victorians, more than 2000 homes and burnt 421,670 hectares of public and private land since starting on February 7.

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) state duty officer Dennis Ward acknowledged the combined firefighting effort of the DSE and Country Fire Authority (CFA) in containing the Wilsons Promontory bushfire.

A lightning strike sparked the fire on 8 February, and it has burnt over 25,200 hectares of the national park.

"The recent rainfall and milder weather enabled firefighters to strengthen containment lines and bring the fire under control," Mr Ward said.

"Wilsons Promontory will remain closed until the end of March 2009.

[Andrew Wiskow]

That's great news that the fires have all been contained.  Still, it's sad that so much was lost.