1. What does Thurow regard as the strongest argument for the death penalty? How convincing is it to you?
2. What does he think makes death by a "random element" like a storm harder for survivors to
accept than the murder of a loved one?
3. Why does Hertzberg regard capital punishment as a "uniquely American brand of sadism"?
Do you agree? Why or why not?
4. How do you understand Hertzberg's final sentence?

Urban growth invariably feeds increased commercialization and industrialization. it requires continually expanding land areas. when urbanization rates are high, and countries do not have the institutional and managerial capacities or economic wherewithal to manage such rapid growths, they exert intense pressure on the types and nature of the resulting settlements. they contribute to the development of overcrowded slums and shanty towns without adequate essential services and necessary infrastructure.-by asit k. biswas and cecilia tortajada

Currently, as of february 2016, an american traveling in france would be by the exchange rate. the weakness of the euro and the strength of the us dollar means that items in france cost less to an american than they otherwise would. of course, if this trend reverses and the us dollar weakens and the euro strengthens, such as was happening in early 2008, an american traveling in france would have an adverse experience because items would cost relatively more.