[Vision2020] Give 'em enough rope...

[Tom Hansen]

And now a word from a member of the "Let's get him" crew -

Fiat Lux stated:

"Will public outcry or the letter of the law reign supreme?"

Since when is it always assumed that there is a distinction between "public
outcry" and "the letter of the law"?  Most laws are a result of public
outcry.  Perhaps the complaint filed by three citizens of Moscow against NSA
and its management reflects that there is no distinction.

And yet Fiat Lux goes on to say:

" If he [Wilson] is a "bad guy" I trust he will get his, but in God's time.
This is where "Give 'em enough rope..." comes into play.   The waiting can
be the hardest part."

Well, Mr./Mrs./Ms. Lux, punishments imposed for violations of established
law do not allow for "in God's time" and we can be thankful for that.  I
mean . . . GET REAL!  Could you imagine if every sentence handed down was to
be imposed "in God's time"?  When the family dog poops on the rug, do you
rub his/her nose in it immediately or do you wait, thinking that "The
waiting [by the dog] can be the hardest part?"

Deterrence can be achieved if (and only if) punishment is swift and just.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are
dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all
exist very nicely in the same box. 



-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Fiat Lux
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 3:31 PM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] Give 'em enough rope...

Greetings All,
Mr. Nelson hits it on the head, "Indeed, if we change
the law to indulge criminals, then we will embolden
them to commit more crimes."   It has similarly been
phrased, "Give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile".  

I know from personal experience with a particular
criminal that bringing the hammer down hard is the
only way to make the "No, that's unacceptable" message
clear.   Incarceration is the ultimate denial of
"benefits".  Hitting a scofflaw in the pocketbook is
another effective deterrent.  It is important to
remember though, there are no guarantees against
repeat offense.  Sometimes a little comeuppance just
sets them to plotting their revenge.    

If Doug Wilson or his organization has violated laws
currently on the books, certainly they should be held
to account, just like any other business owner would
be.  If there is a diplomatic solution to the problem,
I'm glad I don't have to be involved in reaching it.  
Will public outcry or the letter of the law reign
supreme?   There may be people who think Doug Wilson
has imperialistic notions.  I don't know, don't really
care, and I sure don't belong to his church.  I have
no personal grievance with him.  If he is a "bad guy"
I trust he will get his, but in God's time.   This is
where "Give 'em enough rope..." comes into play.   The
waiting can be the hardest part.    

Mr. Nelson's comments seem notably, quite tame
compared with the usual "let's get him" crew.   As a
newcomer to this list serve, I find the malevolent
attacks against Doug Wilson unbecoming.   When
outright hatred for him shows through, it matters not
what your criticism is, because it all just sounds
like sour grapes.  The entire spectacle reminds me of
that childish game, king of the hill.    

Regards,
Fiat Lux

P.S. The Golden Rule is still a good one, no matter
what Mother Kirk says.