In any case, Anderson's concluding, catastrophic vision of a Noah-like flood subjects even the relatively lenient authority of 1965 New England liberals to a scathing cosmic repudiation.
But even without that law, the previously lenient Emirati authorities had been cracking down.
Even in places where laws are lenient, religious authorities and social attitudes can be harsh, with vigilantes inflicting beatings or beheadings.Many, like Kacem el-Ghazzali, a Moroccan, reckon the only solution is to escape abroad.
Both have accused the German chancellor of being too lenient towards the US authorities.
"Japan is lenient on people with authority," she says.
Once again the lesson seems to be that the Chinese authorities are relatively lenient about provocative postings – until they get attention.
The hope in Whitehall is that Koussa's lenient treatment by the UK authorities will send a positive signal to other would-be Libyan defectors.
"The Malaysian authorities were very lenient and the Australian men were very repentant, but they do need to reflect very seriously on their conduct.
The hope in Whitehall is that Koussa's lenient treatment by the UK authorities will send a positive signal to other would-be Libyan defectors as part of a broader strategy of eroding Muammar Gaddafi's position.
He is currently cracking down on Britain's immigration and asylum policy, which is considered the most lenient in Europe and which authorities say has been exploited by a shadowy Algerian terror network that has been operating in Britain.
