I think it's pretty important to remember the Manic Street Preachers were frequently contradictory in their point of view. I think the song puts across the attractiveness of the certianity and sense of retribution found in Draconian punishment, whilst simultaneously mocking its arrogance and brutality.
Having said that, I'm fairly sure Richey definitely had a hangup about wanting to 'tear the torso with horses and chains', in that he repeated the concept in an interview. I think he was talking about how he wanted to make children watch murderers being torn apart on TV, so they know what happens to 'bad' people. Pretty fucked up, really.
I think it's pretty important to remember the Manic Street Preachers were frequently contradictory in their point of view. I think the song puts across the attractiveness of the certianity and sense of retribution found in Draconian punishment, whilst simultaneously mocking its arrogance and brutality.
Having said that, I'm fairly sure Richey definitely had a hangup about wanting to 'tear the torso with horses and chains', in that he repeated the concept in an interview. I think he was talking about how he wanted to make children watch murderers being torn apart on TV, so they know what happens to 'bad' people. Pretty fucked up, really.