In a lockstep army, when everyone marching steps off with the left foot, a soldier who has a contrary notion to begin with his right foot should know he will get in trouble.  In a lockstep country where prayer rugs are lined up in neat rows, the communicant who has no rug but wants to express his religious fervor through interpretive dance has to know he is trouble. Holding contrary notions among conforming people is not a wise thing to do.  But, what is one to do? Most people do not listen to or hear the same drummer. Some do not even want to march.

When shouts of joy erupt as the bound body plummets toward the ground after the hangman released the trapdoor, I have a contrary feeling.  I shudder in distaste with such a death.  Having a person put to death while lying on a gurney with a needle carrying poison into a vein is not much better in my contrarian view.  I do not want a murderer to murder and I do not want my neighbors to cheer when the news is heard that my state or my nation murders criminals.  I fear for the huge publicity event when Saddam Hussein is put on trial and the circus begins and ends in his death by some means or other.

I think that if the state or nation imposes death for capitol crimes then all of us should insist that the deed be carried out immediately behind the courthouse. If we are so sure, make it so right now! The charade of appeal after appeal and last minute stays of execution should be abolished. I hold the contrary notion that “justice” delayed is justice denied.  A circus atmosphere pleases the morbid curiosity of those types avidly participating in court cases and re-enactments of car chases and apprehension of suspects. It is out of place if we are to discuss justice.  What happens on TV remote from actuality reeks of circus smells and sounds.

If we are so sure that we agree the criminal is guilty and there is no question of guilt, then if convicted, the felon should be hustled out behind the court and mercifully and cheaply deprived of life with a single bullet between his eyes.  But, hey – I hold contrary notions and others will think I only want to spoil their fun. They want to watch what happens to Saddam Hussein through months and years of delay and legal manipulation of what should be a straightforward march to justice for his multiple murders of his own people.

Then the question is, after we have successfully celebrated the end of one dictator, should we not go after all the others who the whole world knows are guilty of the same crimes that have indicted monsters of the past and present?  I think so, but I hold the contrary notion that it should be over quickly.