Supertroll,

My heart bleeds purple piss for killer who has been appealing their death sentence for decades. You don't like the punishment then don't do the crime. Simples.

According to the BBC article, the delays in the execution of the Japan Sarin attackers, has only been since January 2018.

"The six men were the last members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult on death row, and were executed on Thursday, the justice ministry said."

"Seven others responsible for the attack, including leader Shoko Asahara, were put to death earlier this month."

"The execution of all 12 cult members involved in the attack as well as Asahara had been postponed until their final appeals were completed, which happened in January."

Tiny. I believe there is another aspect too. After more than 20 years, the executed person may not bear any resemblance to the person who committed the crime. Execution in some of these instances is a matter of pure vengeance. This does not mean that I oppose the death penalty, and from what I recall of the Sarin attack, those convicted of it deserved their fate when they were executed promptly.

The worst feature of the death penalty in many of the US states that allow it, is the practice of allowing multiple appeals, some of which are decided at the last minute. This, at its worst, must constitute cruel and inhuman treatment.

"Regular heatwaves 'will kill thousands'
By Roger Harrabin
BBC environment analyst"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44956310

Jul 26, 2018 at 8:09 AM | Unregistered CommenterMark Hodgson

How many did die in summer 1976, and how do those figures compare with the winters of 1947 and 1962/3 ? The BBC's Environment Analyst really ought to demonstrate an ability to analyse the relevance of what he broadcasts.

Jul 26, 2018 at 8:09 AM | Mark Hodgson

"Scientists differ on whether the current global rash of heatwaves is definitely caused by climate change."

The deliberate inclusion of the word 'definitely' speaks volumes. Typical Harrabin.

I agree AK, keeping them wondering every day, if it was their last was pure torture. At least the US prisoners know that there is a process and they will know in advance when it runs out. I can understand torture as an alternative for a long sentence and even the death penalty to end the life of someone who can never be released but torture and death is just vindictive, even if the torture is purely mental.

Mark. I think for me the story should have been the inhumanity of keeping someone on tentahooks for decades not knowing if or when he was going to be executed for the Sarin gas attack.

How topical are we?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-44951970

After a brief appearance on the main page of the BBC news website, now relegated to the Cambridgeshire page:

"MP Fiona Onasanya accused of lying about speeding"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-44957896

The article has been amended since it first appeared, as it now opens by identifying her as a Labour MP - originally that fact was buried well within the article. Perhaps some of the criticism online regarding the way the BBC reported this one has hit home. But in any event, compare and contrast with the BBC headline (twice - once when the trial opened, again when he was found guilty) of the former UKIP councillor charged with murdering his wife - the headline called him a UKIP councillor even though he no longer is.

Ditto the fuss made over Aaron Banks the other day, and the BBC hunting down a small alleged corruption story about him in Lesotho. Banks is a bit like Trump for me - I don't like him or his modus operandi. But the BBC reporting was almost hysterical and in almost every other breath they made the point that he was a major Brexit campaign donor, as though his possible small-scale corruption (alleged) in Lesotho somehow casts doubt on the Brexit vote, even though the two stories are completely unrelated. The BBC campaign for a second referendum is in full swing as the clock ticks down. Had the story about Banks instead been about a pro-EU Lib Dem funder, for instance, I strongly suspect that the BBC wouldn't have despatched a reporter to Lesotho to see what they could find, and certainly wouldn't have reported it if they did find it.