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Alright, I've been noticing something here on DU. I notice whenever an article about a rapist, a murderer, a pedophile, or some other criminal is posted, I know it's nearly guaranteed that 1, 2...10...20 DUers will reply in a similar manner. To a rapist: "stick 'em in general population...see how long he lasts." To a murderer: "the death penalty's too good for this guy". (Note: these aren't actual examples...just paraphrasing).
And I started thinking...what does that make us?
And I know it's not limited to DU. This happens everywhere. People wanting not justice done to alleged criminals, but to see some sort of revenge taken on them, either in prison or by the general public.
So let me say this: a rapist being raped in general population isn't justice. Shedding a murderer's blood through the death penalty isn't justice. It's our collective will demanding revenge, saying our justice system isn't enough to satisfy our blood lust, and us giving in to the darker angels of our nature.
And I came to this conclusion: it makes us traitors to our Constitution.
The Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and every court decision defending the rights of the accused is also a statement of our collective will: that no matter the crime, no matter who you are, you're entitled to certain inalienable rights.
But it's not just that...our Constitution represents more than that. When that document was signed, it was a statement that we as Americans would do everything in our power to listen to the better angels of our nature, that we wouldn't let our desire for revenge overwhelm our desire for justice.
And before I get written off as a young, naive idealist...let me tell you a story.
I've mentioned before on here that I'm a convicted sex offender. I had (albeit, consensual) sex with a 16 year old, and I was arrested for it. Fast forward a few months to my sentencing...after going through months of therapy and treatment, the judge came to the decision to let me out on probation. It wasn't until I walked into the courtroom that I learned that the girl's parents had requested to be present that day...and during the entire proceeding, I felt what I thought were the father's eyes shooting daggers into my back. I was thinking, "I bet he thinks this is too good for me. I hurt his daughter, didn't I? He probably wants to chop my balls off and show them to me."
After the sentencing was over, I turned around to leave with my lawyer to go take care of some paperwork, and the father approached me. I hung my head low...I couldn't look him in the eyes, not with that shame. But he told me to look at him...and when I raised my head, I saw his hand extended. I reached out and took his hand, and he shook it. He forgave me. Despite everything, the man still forgave me for what I did. He told me what I had done was despicable, and that he would never forget what had happened...but he that he forgave me, and wished me well with the rest of my life.
I didn't deserve it...but he still had the capability to forgive me. To not desire revenge against me.
I have no idea what his politics were, if he ever took part in an anti-war demonstration, or if he even voted. But I realize, looking back, that that gesture was more of an embodiment of our country and our Constitution than anything.
A desire for justice is what makes us Americans. A desire for revenge makes us savages.
So the one thing I want to say about this: Never give up on your desire to see justice done--demand that torturers be held accountable, demand that pedophiles, rapists, and murderers be sentenced to prison, demand that the innocent be protected from criminals.
But never give in to your dark side. Your emotions and passions may run high, but demanding, or even hoping for, castration, prison rape, or an eye for an eye makes you weak.
It makes you a traitor to our Constitution.
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