If we agree that it's a coup, then public shaming is legitimate.

I dislike public shaming. I believe it violates a basic principle of democracy, which is respect for opposing viewpoints.

If someone thinks differently from me, they deserve my respect. Even if what they think is the exact opposite of everything I believe.

It doesn't seem legitimate to me, for example, to protest in front of the house of a mayor, governor, congressman, etc., just because I disagree with their positions.

This type of coercion is authoritarian.

And, between you and me, several movements abuse this type of action.

At the same time, even though I don't like public shaming, I think it should be understood differently when those targeted are people who threaten human rights and democracy.

Torturers, for example.

They were responsible for the worst acts of barbarity, and after the return to democracy, many disguised themselves as kind old men and went on to live peaceful lives.

To expose them and show that if this is done again it will have some cost for its perpetrators does not seem like an aggression to me.

In a way, it can even be an educational act from a public point of view.

But the discussion today is not about whether or not publicly denouncing torturers is legitimate, but whether doing so against those at the forefront of the impeachment (or the coup) is?

And there are serious people with good arguments on both sides of this debate.

The question that seems to me to be the defining one regarding the legitimacy of this action is: Is Brazil experiencing a coup or not?

If this is indeed what is happening, something needs to be done.

And among these actions, one that seems legitimate to me is the act of publicly shaming those who are trying to undermine democratic institutions.

Provided it is dealt with within the limits of political action.

Because if a coup is underway, it's necessary to fight to prevent it from being legitimized. And fighting isn't just about defending Dilma's innocence in the Senate.

Fighting always involves some kind of confrontation, even if it's just a confrontation of arguments.

Anyway, even thinking that, I want to say that I'm not willing to participate in public shaming. I don't like public shaming, and that's why I wouldn't be involved in it.

But at the same time, we can't pretend that everything is normal here.

And to embarrass someone who is accused of being a coup plotter is the same as doing so to a government official or member of parliament who holds a different opinion.

Or maybe it's better to just drop the coup talk.