Centerfield

Blackwell Releases "Worst-Treated" List

File this under "no duh!"

U.S.: Arab allies have poor rights records

The State Department called the human rights records of key Arab allies poor or problematic on Wednesday, citing flawed elections and torture of prisoners in Egypt; beatings, arbitrary arrest and lack of religious freedom in Saudi Arabia; and floggings as punishment for adultery or drug abuse in the United Arab Emirates.

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"How a country treats its own people is a strong indication of how it will behave toward its neighbors," Rice said in introducing the report, released Wednesday. "The growing demand for democratic governance reflects a recognition that the best guarantor of human rights is a thriving democracy," with rights such as accountable government and a free press, she said.

Sounds pretty awful, although on some days I've wondered whether the efficacy of flogging is under-rated. Suppose the Enron honchos got sentenced to prison, confiscation of assets, and 10 lashes from each Enron employee who lost his or her job .

And maybe another 10 from each American whose 401k lost more than 25% due to the fiasco.They could take 10 or 20 lashes a day, say 3 times a week. And they can't get out of prison until all the lashes are doled out. Tell me that sounds barbaric, but don't tell me it would have no deterrent effect.

Update: Maybe things would have turned out better if we had flogged more bishops as well.