Acts20.com

I read this morning that a nearby city (Lake City, FL) had to pay over $400,000 due to ransomware.I also think of the individual who has perhaps saved many precious things on his/her computer, only to have it locked/lost unless they pay. Further, even if they are willing to pay, it can be a significant hardship on them.As far as I'm concerned, the perpetrators of such an outrage should be killed outright. And, yes, I'm serious. Think of someone stealing the last picture that someone has of his daughter before she died...or a massive novel that they had been writing. Yes, it should be backed up, but that does not excuse the perpetrators (in fact, sometimes they can lock up the backup!).

Aaron, reading your thoughts here made me think of Psalm 133...

Blackmail is not a death penalty crime in the Bible.How about 40 hard lashes (in public) and making them pay 4 times back what they stole. If they can't afford it, take whatever they have then sell them into slavery for 7 years

Here's the thing: IF they restore the computer stuff to a person, THEN I'm good with 40 lashes or what have you.Otherwise, since in a certain sense, stealing one's memories (e.g., photographs, digital journal, etc.) is taking their life away, I am sticking with outright death. First, because this is a particularly cruel crime. Second, because it will serve as a deterrent to other, I hope. And if not, well, they deserve it anyway.Dave, indeed, brothers should dwell together in unity. And as soon as these crooks become brothers, I'm good with doing that. But just like I am not brother to a child molester, neither am I brother to these guys.One of the reasons this particularly angers me, is that I know what it is like to labor long and hard on completing sermons, articles, a novel, etc. To have that stolen from you--sometimes YEARS of your life, and even, in some sense, your very legacy, yes, that deserves the ultimate punishment.Now, I am not bloodthirsty. I simply want to rid the world of these people. Now, if they return all they have stolen, then I am good with forgive and forget (or at least a far lesser sentence). The death penalty would work today if we carried it out in six months INSTEAD OF 20+ YEARS AFTER THE CRIME! The Bible speaks of sentence not being carried out speedily.

Ha, Aaron, I think you misunderstood my post.You and I are the brothers dwelling in unity on this topic.

Bump!