a planned execution in Texas

could see an innocent man dispatched for a crime he may not have committed.

Should we rather not execute a guilty person than kill an innocent person. I think the execution of a single innocent person should be an indictment on the death penalty

who should become a soldier

I don’t like war. I find it a poor method to resolve differences between nations or tribes. This then shouldn’t be read as my approval of war.

In ancient Rome, before the decline of the Republic, the poor- that is those that occupied the lowest rank of the social strata could not even volunteer men to fight as soldiers for it was thought, and rightly so, I think, they had nothing to defend or fight for.

In most of today’s societies, almost anyone can become a soldier including the poor classes. Is this a good thing? Shouldn’t we insist only that those who have property to protect should volunteer as soldiers (not that am about to volunteer.)