. * 1673: Molière, the French actor and playwright, died after being seized by a violent coughing fit, whilst playing the title role in his play Le Malade imaginaire (The Hypochondriac or The Imaginary Invalid). * 1687: Jean-Baptiste Lully, composer, died of a gangrenous abscess after piercing his foot with a staff while he was vigorously conducting a Te Deum, as it was customary at that time to conduct by banging a staff on the floor. [read post]

The Case Against The Death Penaltyby Hugo Adam Bedau --------------------------------------------------------------------------------ContentsPrefaceIntroductionDeterrenceUnfairnessInevitability of ErrorBarbarityRetributionFinancial CostsPublic OpinionAbolition TrendsFor Further Information & ReferenceNotes--------------------------------------------------------------------------------PrefaceHugo Adam Bedau is Fletcher Professor of Philosophy at Tufts University. [read post]