which victims matter (updated)

In my last post I tried to make a very simple point, which now IOZ has made much more cleverly, and Justin has made much more eloquently. And Ethan found a nice quote that sums it up nicely:

Civilization is based on a clearly defined and widely accepted yet often unarticulated hierarchy. Violence done by those higher on the hierarchy to those lower is nearly always invisible, unnoticed. When it is noticed, it is fully rationalized. Violence done by those lower on the hierarchy to those higher is unthinkable, and when it does occur is regarded with shock, horror, and the fetishization of the victims.

If you read only one of those links, read Justin's, which illustrates this dynamic using two recent killing episodes.

update: Jack Crow too!