The Problem With Vigilantes Pt 2

http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S625982.shtml?cat=566

Vigilantes are deluded sociopaths who believe that they're above the law and more important than anyone else. They have no respect for law and order and believe that they're so superior to everyone else that they are well within their rights to appoint themselves judge, jury and executioner. They're also completely wrong.

The case linked to above is a perfect example of the problem with vigilantes. In summary, a vigilante took it upon himself to post details of local sex offenders in public places as part of a campaign to stir up the public against them. Some other vigilantes took offense at this and beat the crap out of him. And herein lies the rub. One either supports the concept of vigilantism or one opposes it. You can't pick and choose the vigilantes who should be allowed. If you support even one vigilante then you lose any sort of moral right to condemn other vigilantes with whom you may disagree.

Some people who don't think things through voice their support for vigilantes when the people targeted are those they don't like. There would be many people supportive of the vigilante trying to rabble-rouse by posting flyers exposing people in the community. However, should one have supported his vigilantism, it would be extreme hypocrisy to then oppose the vigilantism of the people who bashed him. In both cases the vigilante engaged in activities with the intention of hurting the intended target... either physically or through orchestrating social exclusion (NB. There are many who would argue that the posting of flyers is aimed at provoking other vigilantes to physically attack the SO's but I'll give this guy the benefit of the doubt and presume he wasn't that vicious).

I believe in the rule of law. Anyone who breaks the law, regardless of motivation, is a criminal and should be treated as such. Further, anyone who chooses to break the law does so in the knowledge that this action brings consequences. I guess the bloke who got bashed this time hadn't taken into account the chance that his fellow vigilantes would be part of his consequences.