Indonesia to execute six drug offenders

[Mudhammam]

I think the point is the ideal of ultimate justice. There are certain crimes that humanity views so grave that the punishment demands the highest penalty possible --- forfeiting one's own life. And perhaps the foreknowledge of such a severe consequence does sometimes serve as a prevention of the act.

I do not object to the death penalty on principle. However, in practice there are enough instances in which justice has been miscarried to warrant a ban for fear of executing the innocent.

I agree. It should be preserved for the worst offenders whose guilt is completely certain. There are over 3,000 people on death row right now. I think there should only be a number of slots, say 100, or 10 per year or something, and these only filled with serial killers, terrorists, and the sort.