"Cruel and unusual" is and was during the writing of the amendment likely intentionally vague.
And does it have to be Cruel AND Unusual? For instance, I believe that while throwing someone off a cliff is unusual, it is not that cruel. However, forcing hot lead down someone's throat meets both criteria I would think. :o)
12 posted on 07/19/2002 7:08:35 AM PDT by mc5cents