Misplaced Empathy

https://x.com/i/status/1995303611065336134

Listen to this law-enforcement officer. He represents many thousands of others. The offender he complains about has not yet killed anyone. But from the way things are going, the man probably will, and soon. And THEN we will do something. One would almost wonder whether the judges INTEND that he kill someone.

In law there is something called “depraved indifference to human life.” For example, a man fires a gun into an occupied house. He may say he did not intend to kill anyone, only to frighten them. He may even be telling the truth. But it doesn’t matter. He did something that any sane person knows is dangerous. If death results, in most places it is second degree murder.

Mother Teresa had more empathy than I do, I am certain. But even hers was finite. Wisely, she spent hers on the poor of India. The middle class and rich need empathy, too. But like money, she did not squander hers on trivia, but saved it for essentials.

My point? I’ll tell you. The judges and politicians (if there is any difference) who squander their empathy on trash have none left for those who really deserve it, the law abiding. When they release repeat, violent offenders with minimal jail time and little or no bail, they are demonstrating depraved indifference to human life. If death results, they should be charged with second degree murder.

Our version of Lady Justice is blindfolded, so as not to show prejudice. She holds a sword at her side. But the British version has her eyes open, to see clearly. And she holds a sword upraised, ready to strike if needed. Perhaps it is time to adopt the Brit’s version. She’s a really impressive lady.