No, it is not a progress, it is progress. As in, we have progressed past the point when mutilation was accepted as a fitting punishment for such minor crimes. And for good reason.
For the rest, what does that have to do with mutilation? Do you suggest we start cutting body parts off people who fail at mathematics too?
I don't. The fact I miss it _sometimes_ does not meant that I want it. I have four kids. Three of them adults already. I managed to grew them up without resorting to use of belt a single time. So, I believe that it is possible to develop a society without such a brutal laws. But _sometimes_ the only way you see is that.
Edit: I'm sorry, I reviewed the post we are discussing now and see that I did not express myself precisely: _sometimes_ is missed while I meant to say "_sometimes_ I miss..."
