Feel the Love

Long thought to be out of fashion, compassionate conservatism is alive and well in Columbus, Indiana. While many people don't spend much time weighing the costs and benefits of legal sanctions, Republican State Senate candidate Greg Walker is thinking out of the box, trying to come up with some kinder and gentler ways to punish criminals. And what better place to look for inspiration than the Bible.

"It's not a core value for me, but it's part of the inspired word of God, so I know it works," he said. "If that makes me a radical, then so be it. I'll accept the label. But I don't think it's a radical position…."

[Walker describes it as] a "compassionate" alternative to jail for some people convicted of crimes such as drug abuse or being drunk in public….

"I want to see what works to change behavior," he continued. "This is about public humiliation. Public humiliation has been an effective deterrent for centuries."

So what is this mild-mannered accountant suggesting? What new, compassionate alternative should we consider? Flogging, of course.