[Krsqk]

Last known fate unknown

Sorry for this completely OT twist to this OT post, but I found this amusing. Not that the on-topic OT is amusing in the least, but I'll take the humor wherever I find it.

Back on topic (well, kinda):

Discipline--there are three kinds. Self-discipline, preventative external discipline, and reactive external discipline. The more of the first you have, the less of the second and third you'll need. Originally, the first type held society together. Now, most Americans (and many non-Americans, it seems) have little to no self-discipline. For a time, the second type held society together; then those accustomed to allowing themselves to do what they wish rationalized away preventative discipline (i.e., structure, standards, expected norms). Now, even reactive discipline (i.e., punishment) has been greatly weakened. Prison time is a thing of the past if you have a glib enough lawyer; you need psychiatric evaluation and counselling and "reform," not punishment, because you can't really be held responsible.

If those guilty of prisoner abuse in Iraq had self-discipline, they would not have done this. If their commanders had enough preventative discipline, these men would not have dared to do this. As it is, we now have to see the reactive discipline.

Thus endeth the sermonette for the evening.