Monday, January 24, 2011

Rough Justice

A rather serious discussion with Boy Wonder after listening to Roseanne Cash sing Long Black Veil:

Boy Wonder: Does the electric chair kill people?

Me: Yes. But only the government uses it. Sometimes a crime is so bad, buddy, that the government kills the criminal.

Boy Wonder: But why do they kill them? People should protect other people!

Me: Yes, that’s a sensible reaction. If killing is wrong, why do we allow the government to do it, right?

Boy Wonder: What if they make a mistake? And the bad guy didn’t really do it? Like in the song?

Me: That happens.

Boy Wonder: That is stupid!

Me: Yes. It troubles me, too, buddy.

1 comment:

gracenov said...

Right on, Boy Wonder!