on Blame

Regardless of the crime, regardless of the circumstances, it has become a matter of course that the first question we ask is "who is at fault?" From this question, several other questions ask themselves, such as, who can we blame? And, how can we punish them?

An arguement is occassionally made that we have capital crimes and life sentences as a form of discouragement. Don't commit violent rape, or you will be sent to prison for life. Don't kill anyone, or you can be put to death. If that is indeed the intent, what then is our focus in court? Justice is served by the direct answer of one question, two parts. One: when you committed this crime, were you aware that the punishment for your actions is death? Two: Now that you have committed this action, are you prepared to accept your punishment?

Rather than judging the questions themselves, judge the possible answers. There is, admittedly, the occasional criminal who stands before the court and declares, "I know what I have done. I am a monster. I am truly sorry for the grief I have caused the family. I accept my punishment, whatever it may be." This is either a criminal taking one last shot at a mercy plea, or a man for whom the justice system was not designed.

The correct answers to the two part question are as follows, regardless of the crime: 1. when I committed the crime, the legality of my actions was the last thing on my mind. 2. Deep down inside, I like to think that I am the one who will be set free, probably on a technicality.

These are your answers. Now we return to the very original question: when this crime was committed, who was at fault? This is why blame matters: not all men take into consideration the pain and suffering of others. When pain is inflicted on us in a criminal fashion, we come to the realization that the perpetrator is not going to empathize with you. He is not going to feel your emotions unless he goes through his own ordeal.

The ultimate flaw is revealed in who benefits from retribution. The very worst of criminals, and only the very worst, commit their crimes because they enjoy seeing the pain and suffering of others. When a violent or heinous crime is committed, it is the heartless who are of the purest heart. But all criminals of the same crime are subject to the same penalties. Once they are dead, or condemned to life, the only benefit goes to the victims of the original crime. These victims see pain and suffering thrust onto the criminal, and they enjoy it.