Would You??

[Pompey Bum]

To answer the abortion question, I am certain that my wife, as a devout (and non-Western) Buddhist would never chose to have an abortion. I don't think autism can be predicted in utero (can it?), but Down Syndrome can, and in that event I would respect and support her wishes. If her life were threatened by any pregnancy, however, I would insist on an abortion.

As to hunting down and killing bad men, Mengele and Amin are already dead, so God can sort 'em out. That leaves Kony (and a host of others who don't get as much media attention), any of whom richly deserve to be hunted down and killed. But I'm getting a little old for that sort of thing. Maybe you could check with Manichaean. He likes to stay active.

Would you say that Joshua Milton Blahyi (nom de guerre: General Butt Naked), a genocidal Liberian warlord whose troops killed at least 20,000 in atrocities (including the human sacrifice of a child before each battle), but who converted to Christianity after purportedly having a vision in which Jesus told him that he would die if he did not stop, and who has since involved himself in an evangelical Christian ministry, should be tried and executed for his (fully confessed) war crimes?

[Clopin]

Of course he should be tried and executed. And it was human sacrifice often derived from babies/children as I recall.

Assuming there existed a machine which would cause a criminal to never commit a crime again, with absolutely zero chance of failure; would you administer this treatment to a known murderer and torturer of over four hundred children, or would you have him executed?

[Pompey Bum]

Interesting question. My opinion is that the killer, if found guilty, should be executed as a matter of justice rather than a question of recidivism. It would be for a court to determine, of course, but if I were a governor in such a case, I would not issue a pardon.

Would you hire a less qualified minority member over a more qualified non-minority? How about a less qualified combat veteran over a more qualified non-veteran?

[Clopin]

I agree with you on the execution being a matter of justice.

In theory I would never hire the less qualified minority for any position over the more qualified white guy (I'm assuming we're in Europe/North America). In practice, however, if I had a business to run I would hire whoever is more likely to make me my money. If people are going to boycott my news organization for its over representation of white males then I would selectively hire to retain ratings, though I would prefer not to. Assuming no such issues are relevant or important I would hire the most qualified candidate over any consideration of 'social justice' or diversity. As for the veteran I don't really care. I don't think a just war has been waged in awhile and it's not my problem if you voluntarily went to Iraq and got your arm shot off.

Edit: Whoops... Would you rather have free massages for life from a very qualified masseuse who would be available anytime at all hours (just massages), or free meals for life from very qualified chef (you still have to buy all of the ingredients)?

[Pompey Bum]

Fair enough. What's the next question?

[Clopin]

Editeeeed. Sorry, I couldn't think of a good moral quandary so fast.

[Pompey Bum]

Meals by a damn site. Anyone with a normally healthy sex life has no need of massages.

Would you choose the life of an epicure who dies at 65 or a stoic who dies at 95?

[Clopin]

Stoic even if we live to the same age, and assuming healthy years. I really can't stand (full fledged) epicureans.

Would you rig an election if you were entirely certain that the candidate you wanted to win would be much better for your nation than the alternative? (your candidate has almost no chance of winning a fair election)

[Pompey Bum]

No, there are all kinds of reasons not to do that. You couldn't do it alone, for one thing, and once you break the law in the company of others, they have a life-long hold on you. It's also not how a democratic society is supposed to work--sometimes you have to work for changes that will not come in your lifetime. And even if you did it, the truth could (and probably would) come out eventually, with the potential to destroy everything you have been trying to achieve. Bad idea.

You have a close friend for many years--a one time roommate. You lose touch for about 10 years, but eventually you run into each other again by chance. Your friend is now a reformed alcoholic, and on a "sexual predator" list due to a statutory rape charge during his drunken days. You are a rising professional with a spouse and three young children. Your friend says that he can't wait to get to know them all and starts to cry. Do you invite him over and keep in touch?

[Clopin]

If I still liked him and was not running for political office then yes.

Would you pay $10,000 for a very detailed account of the lives of your ancestors going back thirty generations?

[bounty]

I think if I were a millionaire yes...maybe even a half-millionaire. it wouldn't even have to be "very detailed", id be happy with the main and interesting stories.

if you knew some particular team was being paid to throw a game or series, would you get in on the action in betting?

[Pompey Bum]

Would you pay $10,000 for a very detailed account of the lives of your ancestors going back thirty generations?

No, I'd pay $9.99 for the ebook and not a piaster more.

if you knew some particular team was being paid to throw a game or series, would you get in on the action in betting?

No, just make money honestly over time. Gambling and cheating isn't necessary.

If you went fishing and caught a big fish (just hooked through the lip) would you let it go because, you know, nice fish, why kill it?

[bounty]

im a vegetarian so I wouldn't be fishing anyways, but in case I was fishing, im a vegetarian so id let the fellow go for sure.

"if it has eyes or tries to get away, I wont eat it." one of the Kelloggs (the cereal guys) said that.

which is a nice inspiration to my question:

if you had to personally kill all the animals from which you eat meat, would you continue to eat meat?

[Clopin]

Yes, and I would feel less guilty than I do now. I would know the animal lived a good life and died a natural death at the hands of a natural predator. I actually plan to start hunting in the future when I have a more stable life and can learn how to shoot (which I've never done). The meat would be much healthier as well.

I wouldn't let the fish go either. I would eat it.

Would you attempt to live off the grid somewhere if you had all the supplies and thought you could make a serious go of it?

[bounty]

I am very attracted to the idea of that...but probably wouldn't want to go it alone. even then, I think I'd opt for more semi off the grid as opposed to completely off. I already use a firewood for a lot of heating, keep a small garden, ride my bike lots, and I have a small stream running through the property that id love to get electricity from.

you are an amateur athlete on the local level and have the opportunity to rise to the next level through the use of performance enhancing drugs that contain some risk to your health, and are also illegal according to rules. would you take them?