Glenn Reynolds agrees with Andrew Stuttaford's analysis of the latest incident of judicial tyranny in which an American woman and her husband were sentenced to eight years for serving alcohol to minors.

According to this report in the Richmond Times-Dispatch George and Elisa Robinson threw a party for their 16-year-old son at which alcohol was served. No big deal so far as I’m concerned, but foolish in that such behavior was against the law. The cops came, and the Robinsons were charged.

The initial sentence they drew was – wait for it - eight years from a judge, one Dwight J.Johnson, who has quite clearly lost all sight of what justice should really mean.

Judging by this report, The same is true of the increasingly grotesque MADD:

“Charlottesville Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) president Jill Ingram was surprised by the jail sentence— pleasantly surprised. "I'm not necessarily opposed to a judge trying to send a message that parents shouldn't supply other people's kids with alcohol. I applaud what [Judge Johnson] is trying to do."

Perhaps it's time for the American authorities to look abroad for guidance. There are other countries which take the use of alcohol far more seriously.

Like Iran.

Although those convicted of morality offenses are routinely flogged in detention centers, public lashings had been extremely rare until recently. Hard-liners insist that the Koran, Islam's holy book, sanctions 80 lashes for drinking alcohol. Others say the punishment is discretionary, and that the application of such sentences in public is an incorrect interpretation of the Koran.

According to Amnesty International, 70-80 lashes appears to be the standard punishment for alcohol offenses -- regardless of whether the alcohol was supplied or merely consumed. In another case, a manufacturer of poisoned alcohol which killed people was sentenced to three years in prison, while his subordinates received 154 lashes.

The law does not appear to distinguish between adults and minors; boys of fourteen also get the 80 lashes.

Under Islamic law, on the third offense, the death penalty is possible in theory, although the one reported case I could find also states that the sentence could be set aside after the accused repented. (I could find no report of any actual execution.)

According to most accounts, Iranian prohibition hasn't worked, and alcohol is easily obtainable.

Perhaps 80 lashes isn't enough of a deterrent. Maybe eight years is a more effective punishment after all.

I don't mean to mock M.A.D.D., nor am I trying to be flippant. But I think eight years in prison for supplying alcohol is an outrage which makes the typical Islamic punishment look lenient by comparison. I know I'd rather take the 80 lashes than the eight years. (The former would be over after a week or so of healing, plus some scars; the latter would consist of eight years of being subjected to the exquisite refinements of prison life!)

But I could be way out of line. So, at the risk of being excessively democratic, I think it's time for a reader poll.

What do you think? Which punishment would you prefer?

Eight years?

Or eighty lashes?

INFORMATIONAL BACKGROUND: Here is how an Iranian whipping is performed:

Article 27 – Whipping is executed by a leather strap with strands woven together, and approximate length of 1 meter (3.5 feet), and approximate diameter of 1.5 cm (0.6 inch).

Article 28 - The arms and legs of the prisoner is cuffed as tight as possible, to restrain movements of the body, that may cause the lashes to hit “prohibited” areas of the body.

Clause – The “prohibited” areas of the body are the head, face and private parts.

Article 29 – In the case when lashing is performed indoors, the air temperature should be medium; and if it is done outdoors, temperature should not be too cold or too warm. In cold areas, attempt should be made to execute whipping in warmer hours of the day. In hot areas, it should be done during cooler time of the day.

Article 30 – Execution of whipping in reference to intensity of hits is as follows: The punishment for fornication and sex-without-intercourse is more intense than that for drinking alcohol. And, punishment of drinking alcohol is more intense than that for being a pimp.