The core problem of the U.S. legal system is that, because it does not recognize personal rights (to accommodate slavery?), abuse is, at most, classified as a misdemeanor.

Of course, it may just be that there is a fine line between discipline and abuse and discipline is a sine qua non. In any event, this basic prejudice in favor of “physical correction” accounts for why new legislation seeking to provide protection has to be crafted according to the characteristics of the person or animal to be “protected” from severe injury.

The child, the elderly person, the spouse, the prisoner, the handicapped are not to be abused with impunity, but public servants are fair game. The logic of the abuser is impeccable. “If you fail to comply, I will have to use force.”

The potential abuser, btw, refers to the threat of violence as a “promise.” When Trump promises that, if he is indicted there will be “big problems” it is the leader of the drunk daddy party speaking.