http://www.okmulgeetimes.com/articles/2 ... ws/629.txt
Shurden wants sex offenders to be castrated
7-15-05
State Sen. Frank Shurden said he will once again attempt to pass a bill into law to allow the surgical castration of convicted rapists.
"I've been fighting for this law for 28 years. We're seeing more and more cases in the news where children are kidnapped from their homes, raped and molested by convicted sex offenders who've been released. It is obvious that treatment doesn't work. Castration is what it takes to protect innocent women and children. We need to do it," said Shurden, D-Henryetta.
Under Shurden's bill, the jury would have to determine if the crime meets at least two aggravated circumstances as outlined in the legislation. Aggravated circumstances would include the rape of a child, rapes resulting in significant physical injury to the victim, gang rapes and previous convictions for sex crimes. In addition, a DNA test positively identifying the defendant as the rapist would be required before castration could be ordered by a judge.
Similar legislation was approved by the Senate in 2004 but was not heard in the House. An earlier version of the bill passed both chambers in 2002 only to be vetoed by then Gov. Frank Keating.
"No other species on the planet rapes their own young. I think it is ridiculous when people argue castration is cruel and unusual punishment. What is cruel and unusual are the unspeakable things these monsters do to their victims," Shurden said. "We must make Oklahoma a safe place for our women and children."
Senator wants castration for sex offenders
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SplitDik (imported)
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Re: Senator wants castration for sex offenders
Yeah, well, I support castration of Senators, too.
And Congressmen, aides, Presidential candidates...let's get all Byzantine on 'em and see who runs for office then!
And Congressmen, aides, Presidential candidates...let's get all Byzantine on 'em and see who runs for office then!
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JesusA (imported)
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Re: Senator wants castration for sex offenders
I know this one's been posted before (though I think it was before the last iteration of VBulletin exploded and took down the entire Archive). It's a perfect addition to Paolo's comment:
The Byzantine Solution
By Eugene Finerman
Special To TheStreet.com
Originally published: 12/19/98
Democracy may be the ideal state, but a castrarchy may be the most practical. A government of shriveled, emotionless drones has proven itself throughout history: the Byzantine Empire, Imperial China and the Federal Reserve Board.
We may think of our culture as the heir of Athens and Rome, but we are behaving like the reincarnation of Constantinople. How so?
The Byzantine Empire was the preeminent power of its age: a rich, sophisticated and contentious society. The Byzantines had an impressive capacity for absurdity and scandal. One faction of nobles would gleefully betray the Empire if it could make another faction look worse. Byzantine politics were vicious and convoluted. Its people would eagerly riot -- be it over a horse race or a metaphysical question.
Since we have the same failings, we might consider the Byzantines' solution: a government of eunuchs.
While the Emperor and his relatives plotted against each other, while the populace enjoyed their luxuries and vices, the eunuchs managed the Empire.
In the Byzantine society, the eunuch was the equivalent of an MBA. The operations and machinations of the Empire required a corps of cold-blooded bureaucrats; and eunuchs were highly esteemed for their detachment. Their ascetic state evidently made them more rational and conscientious than the glanded gentry.
The slave markets of Constantinople could not meet the bureaucracy's demand for eunuchs, but poor families were willing to have their sons streamlined for the fast track. Eunuchs were entrusted with the most powerful positions in the Empire. The Grand Chamberlain, the Emperor's prime minister, was an office held exclusively by eunuchs. Indeed, the Byzantine Empire might be considered a castrarchy. The Emperor reigned, but his eunuchs ruled.
How effective was the Byzantine castrarchy? From the 6th century through the 11th century, Byzantium was the greatest power in Christendom. The Empire's prosperity and culture presented an enviable contrast to the chaos and subsistence of western Europe. While barbarians raised their huts in the ashes of Rome, merchants and artists elevated Constantinople to the greatest city in the world. In the sixth century, Constantinople had both a university and a zoned brothel district, either of which would have been an achievement in any other society of the time.
Could the Byzantines have enjoyed such triumphs and luxuries in spite of their government? The eunuchs served the Empire as legislators, administrators, and diplomats. Some of them even overcame their stereotype and became generals. These diligent bureaucrats provided a stable foundation for a tumultuous society. In fact, Byzantium began its decline only when the Emperor began delegating government duties to his relatives instead of the eunuchs.
A castrarchy worked for Constantinople, and it would be just as successful in Washington. Embarrassment has become the American pastime, and we deserve a remedy to the unrelenting scandals and the raucous factions in our government.
Why not surgery? An outpatient procedure could accomplish far more than a congressional hearing: a guarantee of virtue. The procedure should be a prerequisite for public office. Since candidates always talk about their self-sacrifice, this would give them a chance to prove it.
Although the requirement might seem drastic, most of our incumbent candidates would make the adjustment. If forced to choose between his ego and his libido, the true politician would rather keep his office.
Indeed, they should welcome the opportunity to regain the public trust. Vying candidates could compete over who had the procedure first, and who had less anesthesia. This corporeal downsizing would also allow each political party to demonstrate its trust in its own health care plan.
For efficiency and integrity, eunuchs are nearly as good as computers. Of course, a castrarchy could not completely reform our politicians, but it would sedate them. They would have less energy to steal and less voice to lie. Our politicians would be more virtuous and dignified only for lack of hormones, but the public would be grateful for the improvement.
Eugene Finerman is a humorist and a speechwriter, whose work has been published in Vital Speeches of the Day, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune. While he cannot provide political advice or recommendations, he invites you to comment on his column.
© 1999 TheStreet.com, All Rights Reserved.
http://www.thestreet.com/pf/comment/cfe ... 85184.html
The Byzantine Solution
By Eugene Finerman
Special To TheStreet.com
Originally published: 12/19/98
Democracy may be the ideal state, but a castrarchy may be the most practical. A government of shriveled, emotionless drones has proven itself throughout history: the Byzantine Empire, Imperial China and the Federal Reserve Board.
We may think of our culture as the heir of Athens and Rome, but we are behaving like the reincarnation of Constantinople. How so?
The Byzantine Empire was the preeminent power of its age: a rich, sophisticated and contentious society. The Byzantines had an impressive capacity for absurdity and scandal. One faction of nobles would gleefully betray the Empire if it could make another faction look worse. Byzantine politics were vicious and convoluted. Its people would eagerly riot -- be it over a horse race or a metaphysical question.
Since we have the same failings, we might consider the Byzantines' solution: a government of eunuchs.
While the Emperor and his relatives plotted against each other, while the populace enjoyed their luxuries and vices, the eunuchs managed the Empire.
In the Byzantine society, the eunuch was the equivalent of an MBA. The operations and machinations of the Empire required a corps of cold-blooded bureaucrats; and eunuchs were highly esteemed for their detachment. Their ascetic state evidently made them more rational and conscientious than the glanded gentry.
The slave markets of Constantinople could not meet the bureaucracy's demand for eunuchs, but poor families were willing to have their sons streamlined for the fast track. Eunuchs were entrusted with the most powerful positions in the Empire. The Grand Chamberlain, the Emperor's prime minister, was an office held exclusively by eunuchs. Indeed, the Byzantine Empire might be considered a castrarchy. The Emperor reigned, but his eunuchs ruled.
How effective was the Byzantine castrarchy? From the 6th century through the 11th century, Byzantium was the greatest power in Christendom. The Empire's prosperity and culture presented an enviable contrast to the chaos and subsistence of western Europe. While barbarians raised their huts in the ashes of Rome, merchants and artists elevated Constantinople to the greatest city in the world. In the sixth century, Constantinople had both a university and a zoned brothel district, either of which would have been an achievement in any other society of the time.
Could the Byzantines have enjoyed such triumphs and luxuries in spite of their government? The eunuchs served the Empire as legislators, administrators, and diplomats. Some of them even overcame their stereotype and became generals. These diligent bureaucrats provided a stable foundation for a tumultuous society. In fact, Byzantium began its decline only when the Emperor began delegating government duties to his relatives instead of the eunuchs.
A castrarchy worked for Constantinople, and it would be just as successful in Washington. Embarrassment has become the American pastime, and we deserve a remedy to the unrelenting scandals and the raucous factions in our government.
Why not surgery? An outpatient procedure could accomplish far more than a congressional hearing: a guarantee of virtue. The procedure should be a prerequisite for public office. Since candidates always talk about their self-sacrifice, this would give them a chance to prove it.
Although the requirement might seem drastic, most of our incumbent candidates would make the adjustment. If forced to choose between his ego and his libido, the true politician would rather keep his office.
Indeed, they should welcome the opportunity to regain the public trust. Vying candidates could compete over who had the procedure first, and who had less anesthesia. This corporeal downsizing would also allow each political party to demonstrate its trust in its own health care plan.
For efficiency and integrity, eunuchs are nearly as good as computers. Of course, a castrarchy could not completely reform our politicians, but it would sedate them. They would have less energy to steal and less voice to lie. Our politicians would be more virtuous and dignified only for lack of hormones, but the public would be grateful for the improvement.
Eugene Finerman is a humorist and a speechwriter, whose work has been published in Vital Speeches of the Day, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune. While he cannot provide political advice or recommendations, he invites you to comment on his column.
© 1999 TheStreet.com, All Rights Reserved.
http://www.thestreet.com/pf/comment/cfe ... 85184.html
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Kelly_2 (imported)
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Re: Senator wants castration for sex offenders
Well, Jesus, with that being said, I agree with Paolo and 
Kelly
Excellent idea.
Kelly
Re: Senator wants castration for sex offenders
I bet THIS idea, if it became reality, would get the stem cell research and cloning to going full tilt!
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A-1 (imported)
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Re: Senator wants castration for sex offenders
...
Well, at the expense of violating some sort of federal protection law for saying this, wouldn't it be simpler to shoot them?
Oh Oh!
I think I hear the SWAT team knocking down my front door...
...man, that was fast...
A-1
snip!
Well, at the expense of violating some sort of federal protection law for saying this, wouldn't it be simpler to shoot them?
Oh Oh!
I think I hear the SWAT team knocking down my front door...
...man, that was fast...
A-1