Oscar does it again!

Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005 | 8:20 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman suggested Wednesday that those who deface freeways with graffiti should have their thumbs cut off on television.

Goodman, appearing on the television program "Nevada Newsmakers" in Reno, said: "In the old days in France, they had beheading of people who commit heinous crimes.

"You know, we have a beautiful highway landscaping redevelopment in our downtown. We have desert tortoises and beautiful paintings of flora and fauna. These punks come along and deface it.

"I'm saying maybe you put them on TV and cut off a thumb," the mayor added. "That may be the right thing to do."

Goodman also suggested that whippings or canings should be brought back for children who get into trouble.

"I also believe in a little bit of corporal punishment going back to the days of yore, where examples have to be shown," Goodman said.

"I'm dead serious," said Goodman, a guest on the panel show.

Parents are supposed to take care of their children, but government replaces them on some occasions, Goodman said.

"Some of these (children) don't learn," he said. "You have got to teach them a lesson, and this is coming from a criminal defense lawyer."

Goodman then added: "They would get a trial first."

Another panelist on the show, Howard Rosenberg, a member of the university Board of Regents, responded by saying that Goodman should "use his head for something other than a hat rack."

Cutting off the thumbs of taggers will not solve the problem, Rosenberg said.