Some interesting thoughts in this peace. I don't know about the death penalty. It was abolished in the UK many years ago. I would not wish to bring it back. I agree that everyone deserves a chance at redemption, but are there some people so evil, and so much a threat to society, that that is the right approach? I don't know.

The piece on mercy though, it's nice to see that perspective. There are parts of the bible, such as the destruction of Gomorrah where I've thought that giving the people an opportunity to be better might have been more appealing than total destruction. But what do I know!

I'm glad there are places where mercy wins out as well, because it's the rough justice that sticks in the mind more.