Comments on: “‘I Am Not Allowed Moisturizer,’ Complains Mass Murderer”

By: Ron Miller

Ron Miller — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:43:20 +0000

Bob, I’d be lying if I claim to understand your point in the first paragraph and how it would even remotely apply to this discussion. But I’m sorry I missed the Norway joke.

By: Marty Murphy

Marty Murphy — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 23:14:14 +0000

“Although justice must be tempered with mercy, it must still maintain a sense of retribution.”

- Ben Stone, Law & Order

By: boblipton

boblipton — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 01:29:26 +0000

It seems to me, Ron, that you have a habit of running your arguments far afield, citing other jurisdictions and inserting contrafactual arguments — not quite of the “suppose it happened to you” variety. You have good points to make, but your method of argument weakens them enormously.

As for it being Norway, I meant simply that it’s cold in Norway. I don’t expect coffee to remain hot there for very long — especially when one of the murder s**t’s other complaints is that his cell is so cold he has to wear three sweaters.

On a more serious note, people like this make it impossible for me to be a Lockeian in philosophy. I am not a Hobbesian. I believe that humans are born with certain rights, but that some crimes are so heinous that society has a right to decree those rights abrogated. I’m not sure where the line is, but I’m sure that deliberately taking part in the murder of seventy-seven people and then complaining that your cell — which is a lot more spacious than many a New York City apartment — is not decorated well is over the line.

By: Ron Miller

Ron Miller — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:30:25 +0000

Yeah, I acknowledge that above, Bob. But I’m a citizen of the United States as are a a few other readers. So I thought it was a meaningful segue, especially since I think prisoners are mistreated in most if not all countries around the world.

If we are required to limit our comments to the Norwegian criminal justice system then I apologize.

By: gitarcarver

gitarcarver — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:48:41 +0000

kimsch ,

According to the BBC, :

His 21-year sentence can be indefinitely extended for as long as he is considered a danger to society.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20270325

By: boblipton

boblipton — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:43:53 +0000

It’s Norway, Ron.

Bob

By: Ron Miller

Ron Miller — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:07:33 +0000

John, I agree. Again, I’m talking about the larger issue of how we treat prisoners. I’m not talking about this guy. He is a killer. Once you are willing to kill another human being, I have a hard time being outraged by much else you do so I’m not infuriated he is making goofy demands. (Unless, you know, like his coffee is cold EVERY single time. It which case he has a real beef. )

By: John Fembup

John Fembup — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:29:10 +0000

C’mon guys. This prisoner’s complaints do not rise to the level of “spite” or “vengeance” or mistreating people” or even, you know, “treating prisoners poorly”.

Here, once again are his complaints. I have the same complaints at home from time to time. I’ll bet you do, too:

his coffee is often cold;
he has to “rush” when shaving and brushing his teeth;
his cell is “poorly decorated” and has no view;
he is not given enough butter for his bread;
the TV switch is outside his cell; and, most diabolically,
he is not allowed moisturizer.

This is not the stuff of high-minded discussions about prison abuse.

By: kimsch

kimsch — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:53:34 +0000

@John,

Yes, he’ll be released. Apparently they could only give him 20 or 25 years max even with the heinousness of the crimes.

By: Bumper

Bumper — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:53:11 +0000

This worthless piece of detritus slaughtered innocent children among other. This kind of crap such as beauty aids serves only to rekindle the pain their parents must feel. He is a still living example of why the death penalty has true value. Perhaps headfirst into a vat of moisturizer until he reached room temperature would be a fitting end to the entire saga.