Just a comment to thank Amos for his thoughtful comment in the previous thread - with that xample of sanity from the US of A there is hope.

And now a modest proposal from history.

Students of History will recall that the relations between the Saxons and the Cymri (Welsh) were not based on any love. The best translation of the Welsh for England is the "Lost Lands".

King John (John Lackland) had a very effective means of controlling stroppy Welsh Princes and Kinglets.

He would put a price, in gold, on thier head - litterally.

And within a few months, a bloody and stinking sack containing the head would arrive at London, or Winchester or werever the Court would be. Accompanied by whichever kinsmen had plotted the deed.

If a sufficient reward (in USA script)was placed on the head(s) of those who were reasonably suspected of planning or facilitating this abomination I suspect that it would be paid eventually.

Perhaps not as satisfying as the need for demonstratable vengence - but effective - and politically less inflamatory.

Terrorist X needs to be lucky all the time - we only need to get lucky once.

Gareth