"He’s no soft liberal. He, like me, believes in punishment when punishment is merited, and when it offers society as a whole some benefit in the end."

I don't get this. What liberal doesn't believe in punishment when it's merited, or if it offer society as a whole some benefit.

I've never met anyone that has said they wouldn't punish people under any circumstance. Seems like you're painting with an awfully broad brush.