When you have shot and killed a man you have in some measure clarified your attitude toward him. You have given a definite answer to a definite problem. For better or worse you have acted decisively. In a way, the next move is up to him. -- R. A. Lafferty
But, yes, I would say, killing someone, on purpose would definately, "clarified your attitude toward him." Unfortunately, this fails to take into account that attitudes change, but death is perminate. I don't remember ever being so angery, so sure of my hatred, that I would want to kill someone. There is always that glimmer of hope.
It's like being a pack rat. You hold on to the most worthless and annoying stuff, because someday you might find a use for it. People are the same way. They my piss you off, annoy you, etc, but someday things may change. In a way, I think packrats are the greatest optimists ever.
Now, torture on the other hand.... I think there are a few spammers out there in the world who deserve being stretched out on the rack and poked with hot irons. Let's see what spams I got last night...
- Enlarge your penis.
- Enlarge your breasts.
- Hot porn.
- Big breasted porn.
- Gay porn.
- Kiddie porn.
- Make money fast.
- Learn how to be a psychic.
- Home equity loans.
- Attract women.
- Attract men.
These were to a bogus account I set-up, just to see what random spam I would get. I never subscribed it to anything, it is just a common user login. And even though I never subscribed or signed it up for anything, each of these e-mails claim that that login has "requested" this information. Neat trick, for an account that has never actually been used.
Another group worthy of torture... People who drive 50mph on 65 mph freeways.
How about door to door solicitors, and telemarketers?
Plenty of peopleworthy of being tortured, but I can't think of any person or group of people I would like to see dead. I'm too much of a pack rat for that.