[Katya]

Exactly, most people now understand that striking an animal has no positive benefits in training. In fact, positive reenforcement has much deeper meaning and long term training benefits. Can you imagine commanding your dog to "come" and then swatting him?
I suppose the pro-whip people look at the "Sting" of the switch as a modified electric collar. Of course it's the whip, not their arms that are inflicting the pain....where have I heard that argument used before? Oh right, guns are the problem, not the people who use them.
I'm actually not an anti-spanking fanatic, I can think of times when a swat on the bottom may be necessary. I just think the use of a "punishment tool" as a way to distance yourself from the act, is one of cowardness, and relying on corporal punishment as a "teaching" tool is a sign of lazy parenting. Then again, perhaps the ideal is in creating an automaton not a child.

[From many - one.]

I don't see myself as fanatic either, but I object to spanking and I object to weapons.

Spanking because only spanking societies have spanking fetishes and I'd rather not risk that for my kids. Weapons because to me it's pure sadism. My perception is backed up by
the unwillingless of weapons users to explore non-violent alternatives.

I'd rather see a swat to the shoulder or something if a person lacks enough imagination to come up with something better.