[steveklabnik]

While I can appreciate this sentiment, I'm also not sure that removing any sort of interpretation is a good idea. Look at the horrible impact mandatory minimum sentencing has had, for example. Flexibility can be bad, but it can also be very good.

[wolfgke]

> Look at the horrible impact mandatory minimum sentencing has had, for example. Flexibility can be bad, but it can also be very good.

That is rather an argument why in doubt one should not put such harsh punishments into the law - a thesis which I support.