The Spectator

Oscar Pistorius has received a Draconian sentence (yes, really)

Plus: Taxis for Alan Yentob, and some other independence campaigns

(Photo: Stefan Heunis/Getty) 
issue 20 September 2014

Draconian sentence

Paralympian athlete Oscar Pistorius was cleared of murder but convicted of culpable homicide, the equivalent of manslaughter in English law.
— The concept of a lesser charge of killing without intent was first put forward by 6th century Athenian legislator Draco, popularly known for the harshness of his legal code, which applied the death penalty for the smallest of offences, including stealing a cabbage.
— Manslaughter, however, was seen as a relatively minor crime. Had Pistorius been convicted under Draconian law he would have been exiled rather than face the death sentence.

The long ride

Alan Yentob, the BBC’s creative director, has spent £25,000 on taxi fares in the past five years. Where could he have gone for all that money in a London cab?
150 rush-hour journeys from Broadcasting House to Heathrow and back.
2,000 journeys from Broadcasting House to the Ivy and back.
— Alternatively he could have bought a Fiat 500 and driven it 125,000 miles, or five times around the world.

Country cousins

How are other campaigns for independence going?

CATALONIA

For independence 43%
To stay part of Spain 42%

Source: Metroscopia

QUEBEC

Held referendum in 1995, with 49 per cent in favour and 51 per cent against.
By 2009 an Angus Reid poll showed:

For independence 28%
For staying part of Canada, but with more sovereignty 30%
For the status quo 32%

What’s par

The Ryder Cup was held at Gleneagles. Who plays golf in the US?
29 million people, or 9.6% of the population, claim to have
played golf in the past 12 months
77.5% are male
17% are under 40
19% are over 70
68% are married
67% are graduates
— They live in households with an average income of $95,000
Source: National Golf Foundation

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