>I'm not comfortable with the idea of torture at all. But I am also not comfortable with issues that complex being decided in an atmosphere of self-righteousness and disconnection from reality. Very much the way I feel about abortion, actually. Things this morally complex have to be decided very personally and not subjected to other, less involved, people imposing absolutist notions that are easy for them, but create burdens and consequences that they often can ignore.

I can follow your thoughts in case of abortion totally. But what on the other side ? The judicial system is also created to stop "blind revenge", but sometimes I find the victims should be given greater say. In case of capital punishment should the relatives decide/given a voice on his going to death row *if* he is convicted by a "unrelated" jury ?