I think there’s a subtle distinction I’m making: when I say I support it, I probably should have chosen a different word, since “support,” carries a connotation of approval I did not really intend.
The very predictable outcome should be vitiated by the fact that I’m not supporting avoidance of criminal sanctions. Perhaps “understand,”’ is a better word.
But I’m kind of weaseling here, because I guess there are examples I can picture when I’d literally support the decision to go to jail to protest an unjust law.
Which makes me different in degree, not in kind, from the same thing I’m decrying.
Huh.
OK, I’m building a house on the sand here. Until I think of some principled distinction, I concede the point, and withdraw my argument.