Does a criminal stop his behavior without punishment?

[RethugAssKicker]

No... of course not...

So how can we expect the US Govt to stop its murderous behavior around the world... without receiving some form of punishment?

At this point the US Govt hasn't even been scolded!!

[wuushew]

1. Behavior can be modified by three factors

positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement or punishment used seperately or in combination.

[Jed Dilligan]

2. I think more commonly, people just get tired of it.

Most people exposed to any of these "factors" will simply commit more crimes, until they themselves decide to stop.

[sui generis]

3. right, but people fall into two categories, mostly

people who believe that behavior can be modified constructively, and people who believe in retribution.

There are plenty of "progressives" who are eye-for-eye types - just ask the rabid DP supporters here. And most ironically a few are actually vegans. Well you know what Margaret Cho says about vegans. . . .they're mean because THEY'RE HUNGRY!!!!!!

:hide:

Seriously, I think that retribution in today's society is a joke. There are so many people in the privately run prison system (go figure) for non-violent crimes who are virtually unhireable and unlicenseable (in their professions) as a result that we create the very crime we want to prevent by "punishing" all transgressors.

I am a cog guy, I'd rather we put the batshit ones in permanent lockup for batshit violent, give our DP guys the irreversible option to take a final pill, or remain in isolation for the duration, or else genuinely work to rehab people who have strayed.

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Every community

has their nazies.

I play oldtime music and we've got folk nazis, dance nazis, fiddle nazis....

They are the ones that decide the right and only way to do things and everyone must comply. Usually they become very unhappy people because they can't control everyone else.

[sui generis]

8. Yeah "true believers" of every stripe

once they believe something, by definition they must disbelieve everything else.

They have very polar, black or white views of the world. "If I support this it must be right. Therefore everything else is wrong, or not as right."

And it pervades their thinking. If you are continuously looking for the best answer, you will always welcome diversity in culture and the trappings of culture. If you believe you have found it, you will always reject diversity and its adornments.

Me - I'm a cheesy xmas ornament, tons of tinsel, hand carved, store bought, heirloom, multi-colored lights easter egg, popcorn and cranberry riot of color and interest on my tree.

No single color "white cranberry" with tasteful burgundy accents for me. Bleccccch.

Maybe I'm a nazi that way. hmmmm! :think: who cares. ;)

[alfredo]

9. I don't think positive or negative reinforecement will change

bush's behavior. He made a big show of the ISG, but it is becoming apparent it was just for show. Punishment might be the only way to stop him.

[twilight_sailing]

5. Death or Glory, The Clash

Every cheap hood strikes a bargain with the world
And ends up making payments on a sofa or a girl.
Love n hate tattooed across the knuckles of his hands,
The hands that slap his kids around cause they don't understand

How death or glory becomes just another story
Death or glory becomes just another story

Every gimmick hungry yob digging gold from rock n roll
Grabs the mike to tell us he'll die before he's sold
But I believe in this and its been tested by research
That he who fucks nun will later join the church.

Death or glory becomes just another story
Death or glory becomes just another story

From every dingy basement on every dingy street
I hear every dragging hand clap over every dragging beat,
Thats just the beat of time, the beat that must go on,
If you been trying for years then we already heard your song

Death or glory becomes just another story
Death or glory becomes just another story

[bryant69]

6. Who's gong to Punish the United States government?

Or, which Mouse is going to Bell the Cat?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[bluerum]

7. The hell with them. Protect the US and impeach the whole lot of them.

They should be taken as far away from any position of responsibility as possible.

Then maybe, maybe, if the resources can be spared, they can be rehabilitated. Personally I am in favor if of permanent incarceration although I would be amazed and pleased to see a simple impeachment.

[pat_k]

10. Impeachment is Defensive. Prosecution is the path to retribution (i.e., balancing the scales. . .

. . .of justice).

Members of Congress are sworn to defend the Constitution. Impeachment is the weapon we gave them to fulfill that oath when the threat comes from within. Removing the threat by removing from power is defensive.

Impeachment is step one -- demanded by Congressional oath and the ONLY way we can reassert our collective sovereignty.

Justice is for the courts, both here and at the Hague. We must be crystal clear that impeachment is NOT justice if we are to maintain the national will to seek justice.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3007934&mesg_id=3008149">Members of the House have a duty to act. NOW.