Hope this isn't too out-there, or worse, covered, already.
(Also I got a little experimental with 2(a/b))
Draft 1.21
Title: Clash of Heroes
The Issue: The controversial superhero, The @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ Slasher, has made the headlines after @@HE@@ found the local Hungry Hippo gang — and proceeded to kill them. Local police and fellow vigilantes are in an all-out disagreement as to whether this was a heroic act or a punishable crime.
Validity: Capital Punishment; Vigilantes
Validity: Courts
Option 1a: "Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate this Slasher person's duty to the public," begins spandex-clad superhero, The Rubber Waffle. "But when my colleagues start killing, that crosses the line. It's against the superhero code! The courts should decide if, how, and when people should be killed. You should arrest this Slasher, and encourage vigilantes to serve justice in a more civilized manner." @@HE@@ proceeds to drink some Justice Milk out of a carton.
[effect] knocking out criminals results in being interrogated while the criminals escape
Validity: No Courts
Option 1b: "Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate this Slasher person's duty to the public," begins spandex-clad superhero, The Rubber Waffle. "But when my colleagues start killing, that crosses the line. It's against the superhero code! We should be reinstating an official courts system to decide if, how, and when people should be killed. You should arrest this Slasher, and encourage vigilantes, and the state, to serve justice in a more civilized manner." @@HE@@ proceeds to drink some Justice Milk out of a carton.
[effect] knocking out criminals results in being interrogated while the criminals escape
Validity: Metricism
Option 2a: "I think the real crime here is that costume," snickers one of your aides, who's shocked into submission by your Chief of Police, making a big stink out of it. "DO YOU THINK THIS IS A JOKE? We give these people a centimeter, they take a kilometer! It is about time we ban vigilantism! Anyone we see in a cheap costume shall have their heads cut off! OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!"
[effect] justice is served cold by a hunched-over goon with a side of guillotine
Validity: No Metricism
Option 2b: "I think the real crime here is that costume," snickers one of your aides, who's shocked into submission by your Chief of Police, making a big stink out of it. "DO YOU THINK THIS IS A JOKE? We give these people an inch, they take a mile! It is about time we ban vigilantism! Anyone we see in a cheap costume shall have their heads cut off! OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!"
[effect] justice is served cold by a hunched-over goon with a side of guillotine
Option 3: "I don't see nothin' wrong with it," says fringe officer @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME@@ Cleaver, playing with a stained rope. "As long as these here vigilantes are scarin' criminals senseless, I see no reason to punish 'em. Heck, why not capitalize on this situation and encourage vigilantes to be more brutal and leave us with less work to do? Ya know, we scratch their backs, they scratch everyone else's? That'll really scare them muggers and murderers into compliance!"
[effect] the fine line between heroism and villainy has turned invisible
Option 4: "Hmm... do you think it might be our society that has turned violent?" asks The Lady in Lavender, gifting you a potted daffodil. "All this brutal talk of murder and violence really is a downer. These extremist rogues like the Slasher or the leather-clad Miracle Whip are following the state's example, after all. Maybe we could lead by way of ending capital punishment? We could talk it out... I'm sure that would be nice."
[effect] cops punish mass murderers by offering them a cup of tea