...is to distribute the official powers of revenge to the state, and to the state's employees.  Retribution is frowned upon officially in this country, but the American media, justice system, and, for God's sake, foreign policy, is deeply suffused with a gigantic vigilante wank fantasy.  It's disgusting.

Pedophilia is tricky.  I'm not a vengeful sort, but even the slightest thought of abuse of my children is enough to stir up deeply violent emotions.  I've actually lived very close to a tragedy involving predation on a young girl, and nothing strikes closer to a parent's heart.  (We moved the next week, fuck the security deposit.)  On the other hand even the accusation of pedophilia is damning.  Even after penance, registration, humiliation, and parole it will still ruin a life.  Pity the poor bastard that's innocent of the accusation.  

We have sex offender registries in my state, and the local newspapers routinely take up the task to feed the public fear.  I haven't looked at them really closely (out of some no doubt poorly articulated principle), but the dozen or so faces were all similar in that they all look like people I'd naturally avoid anyway.  Pointed out to an allegedly dangerous character though, I'm not going to be the guy to welcome them back to society, that's for damn sure. 

K  (concur that it's nice to see you around.)