It is natural to want to punish cruel regimes, but excessive punishment can not only breed resentment but also strengthen those it is meant to weaken.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Opponents of the bill insisted capital punishment was a necessary tool to punish those who commit the most serious crimes.

BBC: US state of Maryland votes to abolish death penalty

Officials with ABC accused Time Warner of trying to punish the network, but instead meting out the punishment to its cable customers.

CNN: McCain speaks out on Time Warner-ABC flap

The punishment principle asserts that the state should not punish a dead person or his estate.

FORBES: Lay Cheats Justice