Why they execute Traitors

Been meditating on treason a lot.  The reason is historical example. Was reading about the English Civil War & then was watching the Tv version of the "Handmaid's tale", where they get into the story of how the USA was overthrown & Gilead born. And it struck me,

They execute traitors for a reason

Traitors are executed for two reasons.

1. Because those committing treason lead others and unless they are removed from the political equation, they tend to try again to overthrow the legitimate government.

2. Because if they succeed the legitimate government becomes a target of violent authority. The traitors have no compunction about branding the targets of their subversion as traitors & taking them out!

In "The Handmaid's tale", overnight it was once again illegal for gays to be married. They executed the prior government, changed the laws & made themselves the government. What they did was treason but because the USA didn't stop them. The old government either 

"T[oo]k a bow to the new constitution." [Rolling Stones]

Or they were executed.

Something similar happened in 17th century Britain. A number of people lost their heads. Charles I, then Olivar Cromwell ruled, died & he was decapitated posthumously by the returning Charles II.   On the other hand the "try again" principle got Henry VII the crown & Richard the 3rd a reputation as a cruel hunchback 200 years earlier.

Successful traitors write the Histories

If we let them live unsuccessful traitors try to rewrite history. Reading about efforts to revive the confederacy, repeal emancipation & rewrite the history of the confederacy remind me we should have executed the traitors who led the civil war. Their descendents are trying to rewrite the record.  Nikki Haley is still trying to defend the Confederate Battle flag & the racism and hate it stands for. 

Makes me wonder if I have to worry about successful treason.

Chris Holte