Raedwulf, who is more likely to escape the gallows do you think? Is it the rash, impetuous, maybe mentally ill killer who kills because he is either mentally ill or loses control for a minute? Or is it the clever, devious, calculating criminal, who plans carefully and leaves a minimum of evidence? Now the really unfair question: Which of those more deserves to go to the gallows?
   I don't have much sympathy for most executed criminals on a personal basis. However, my opposition to capital punishment (which is implacable) has nothing to do with sentiment. It is a travesty of justice and can only diminish respect for law and order.
   For the record, some of the states which currently practice capital punishment include Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China and Kuwait. Countries which have abolished it in recent years - or imposed a moratorium - include South Africa (after the fall of Apartheid), East Germany (shortly before the Berlin Wall fell) and Russia (after the fall of Communism). I know what sort of a country I would prefer to live in!