This is part of an old but very interesting Twitter thread describing the phenomenon known as the “Shirley Exception”, so coined because everyday rank-and-file conservatives such as my folks - who may otherwise present as decent and upstanding people - support odious and heinous policies because, “Surely the Good Guys (tm) who enforce the law will exercise compassion and mercy and make exceptions for the people who deserve it!”

…because in their mind the exact law being prescribed is just a tool in the chest, an option on the table, which they expect to be wielded fairly and judiciously. Surely no one would do anything so unreasonable as actually enforcing it as written! Not when that would be bad!

— Alexandra Erin (She/Her) (@AlexandraErin) June 6, 2018