{semisarcastic rant}
Hell, if it worked for the Inquisition, why not 21st Century America? From KRNV 4-TV in Reno, Nevada:

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has suggested that those who deface freeways with graffiti should have their thumbs cut off on television.

Goodman, appearing on the "Nevada Newsmakers" television show in Reno, said efforts are made to have beautiful highway landscaping, including paintings, and - "These punks come along and deface it. I'm saying maybe you put them on TV and cut off a thumb." Goodman also suggested that whippings or canings should be brought back for children who get into trouble.

No, it's not a misquote; watch the KRNV video here. Goodman repsonds to the interviewer's suggestion that he's joking or hyperbolizing with a deadpan, "No. I'm dead serious."

Let's just bring back the rack and iron maiden, and eliminate all this three-strikes-and-you're-out mollycoddling in one fell swoop. Joking aside, when politicians go on camera spouting this sort of medieval claptrap, should we be surprised at Abu Ghraib? In fact, why should we be spending all our good tax money fighting Islamic extremists at all? I hear they're fans of whippings, canings, and public amputations as a deterrent, too.
{/semisarcastic rant}

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