@Tamerlane
Indeed, a criminal's freedom is taken as their punishment. I didn't make myself clear; I was only thinking of in terms of crimes commited against the thief rather than the legal process being taken out eg. (Thief should still be protected from unreasonable wardens, revenge crimes from victims, journalist harassment, discrimination) . I definitely should have mentioned that; my bad.
(The above also doesn't entertain the idea that justice is less important than Rehabilitation/Restitution In my opinion. Jail lengths that arbitarily coincides with commited crimes is less useful to society than self-improvement workshops and behavioral therapies; but that's quite a tangent)
I agree insults depend on the context in which they are given. However I still dont think that insults are necessary when discussing issues that are raised (atleast when compromises/solutions are being sought out, something I hoped Political discussion would achieve, but more likely a pipe dream).
I feel that insults are only worthwhile as social expression to show one's negative emotion; that an opposing party has wronged them or that they require assistance. With that idea I guess then it is natural for people to insult political opponents (as compromises are no longer sought out, but only to express one's annoyance at a different opinion to both show their stance and also to garner support)
Ofcourse when an insult is expected to be taken without harm instead to grow relationships; eg shooting the wind with a mate. Everything I said goes out the window.
Malicious insults on otherhand only to induce harm/pain on another. Perhaps a revenge to soothe a rage or to stroke or ego is terms of bullying; doesn't sit well with me; but its difficult to judge which type of insults is being made over the internet especially in discussions with whirlpools of emotions
P.s I think I'm having cognitive dissonance on what I logically think is right and what my emotions feel is right