Willful ignorance and self-justification play large parts here. So does cowardice, in this case, the fear that one won’t be able to achieve right results by using right methods, so let’s just use foul methods and the end will justify the means.

Examples:

“Why should we need “due process” when two cops, both fine, upstanding citizens, just witnessed that nasty man knife a sweet old lady?”

“That rotten SOB is a criminal. Why should he have any rights?”

“Why tell him what he’s accused of. He already knows what he did!”

“Why should she be informed of the nature of the charges against her, or be allowed to know which or our good citizens is her accuser? And why should we even give her the court rules? What a waste of paper!”

“Everybody knows she’s a prostitute, let her prove she isn’t! Besides, those two cops both saw her talking to a well-dressed man who has no business in her run-down neighborhood. Right there on the public sidewalk, for chrissakes!”

Who hasn’t heard similar from certain of our friends and neighbors?

It’s said that such people cannot be reasoned with, but there is one strategy that may prove useful for making them think:

“Everybody knows you are a child molester. OK, boys, take this slime ball out back and string him up!”

Resolved: wilful ignorance is the only real “sin.”