Copyright 1998 by Robert Kuttner. By Robert Kuttner T he Senate seems stuck on the issue of what sort of punishment might fit President Clinton's low misdemeanors. Removal from office would be far too severe. But censure seems a mere slap on the wrist. And a stiff fine would be an unconstitutional bill of attainder.
Criminologists observe that punishment serves a variety of purposes.
Society punishes to shame the wrongdoer, to prevent recidivism, to rehabilitate, and sometimes just to extract a penalty. Herewith, some possible punishments for President Clinton, category by category. Shaming seeks to induce public humiliation and contrition. But this president is fairly shameless. His apologies don't sound sincere enough.