What kind of animals are we?

[Rodion Romanovich]

Now I know what people are going to say... that this is a small portion of the population...

You're right, that's what I was going to say. Most of us humans aren't like that, and that is at least worth cheering over.

Is there anything we can do? I may have to rethink my position on capital punishment.

I don't think capital punishment is the way. I think it's important that all people have someone watching them. NOT the state - that's the route to absolutism and despotism. But to make sure that everyone has some relatives and friends around them - some "herd" - where everybody makes sure to visit each others every once in a while and check that everything looks ok. Many of these insane child abuse situations have been going on for a very long time and develop gradually, and so there is a good chance of detecting and stopping it while it's still, well not acceptable, but at least small enough that the child can be saved from permanent damages or death. It will not prevent all cases, but I think we'd have a much better society in other aspects as well if we would be able to ensure this. Globalization and constant movement of people in search of jobs (seems like almost every group of friends and relatives are split up all over the country on a regular basis) is a bad thing. Drugs also seems common among these child abusers. Alcohol is a well-known reason behind beating of children, but perhaps not so common among child murderers. Anyway, in short I think these deeds are signs of a generally ill society. From a psychological perspective, I find these types of abuses the most difficult to understand the causes behind. I'm afraid that apart from reducing general madness-causing worries, isolation, drugs etc. these types of crimes will be some of the crimes we'll have least chance of methodically reducing and/or stopping by clever preventive measures. As for punishment, forced sterilization and lifetime or near lifetime in jail is good enough as it - unlike death penalty - doesn't threaten personal integrity and safety of the citizen from rise of despotism.