Eric Takabayashi wrote:
> necoandjeff wrote:
>
>>> People are guilty of the crime the moment they commit it, whether or
>>> not the crime is ever discovered or reported, or the perpetrator
>>> ever identified, apprehended, prosecuted, convicted or not.
>>
>> Here we go again.
>
> He asked.
>
>> Eric continues to have difficulty distinguishing between
>> the metaphysical state of guilt and when it is appropriate for the
>> state to reach a conclusion regarding one's guilt and use that as a
>> basis for restraining one's freedom, or perhaps worse.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/47kwb
>
> Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
>
> 2 entries found for metaphysical.
> To select an entry, click on it.
>
>  ハGo
> Main Entry: meta疳hys疂當al
> Pronunciation: -'fi-zi-k&l
> Function: adjective
> 1 : of or relating to metaphysics
> 2 a : of or relating to the transcendent or to a reality beyond what
> is perceptible to the senses b : SUPERNATURAL
> 3 : highly abstract or abstruse; also : THEORETICAL
> 4 often capitalized : of or relating to poetry especially of the
> early 17th century that is highly intellectual and philosophical and
> marked by unconventional imagery
> - meta疳hys疂當al疝y  /-k(&-)lE/ adverb
>
> Nothing metaphysical about it. Purely factual. And if the criminals
> didn't have something to hide, they'd be able to tell you all about
> it.
>
> It is you who bring up technicalities such as "reach a conclusion".
> No, it is appropriate for criminals to be punished because they did
> it, not because a favorable "conclusion" is reached.

You've demonstrated time and again your inability to deal with
"technicalities" like reaching a conclusion. Unfortunately, the world is not
as simple as the way in which you insist on trying to view it. I'll give you
a hint, when I refer to your sense of guilt above as being metaphysical, I'm
referring to the fact that it is something that is not perceptible to the
senses. It takes a rather simple mind to state the obvious, like a criminal
should be punished because they did it. But that is the goal not the issue.
The law has to deal with how one is to go about reaching a conclusion
regarding one's guilt and handing the state the power to act on that
conclusion by taking one's freedom, or perhaps their life.

Jeff