Punitive damages in a defamation case arejustified to punishapersonfor outrageousconduct which ismalicious, wanton, reckless, or in willfuldisregard foranother'srights.
In 1868, John Stuart Mill made one of the most eloquent defenses of capital punishment, arguing that executing a murderer did not display a wantondisregard for life but, rather, proof of its value.
Even if the IPO turns out to be less of a disaster, the Obama administration's wantondisregard for both taxpayers and the company shows just how desperate it is getting to deliver some sliver of economic good news to angry voters ahead of the November elections.