[allturtles]

> It's a question of authority, not justification, and i think that's a much less meaningful distinction.

On the contrary, it's the crucial distinction. Without process and authority we have mob violence, vengeance killing, and vigilantism. Lynching, clan blood feuds, gang violence, all proceed from this same theory that "getting back" is more important than following the rules. In that world, Brian Thompson's killer should expect to be shot by one of his children for taking away their father.

[dtjb]

seems like we're ok crossing the line of "some people need killing," we just have rules on who's allowed to do it and the paperwork needed.

[allturtles]

I don't know who "we" is in your comment, but the question of whether capital punishment exists or not is a totally different question from whether the rule of law exists or not. It's perfectly self-consistent to support the rule of law while believing that some of the rules are wrong (e.g. that the state shouldn't kill people as a punishment). In fact that's essential to the whole thing working, since there's no way everyone will agree on the best set of rules for society.