I actually disagree here, to hold someone responsible is not to blame, i distinguish between the two.
we can of course, ignore the words and stick to the ideas. so please feel free to substitute better words in
:P.
if someone harms me, i hold them responsible, i expect them to apologize if they are a moral agent, i ask for them to make amends, all for pragmatic reasons, but i dont blame them, i blame their environment, their imperfect genes, the whole multitude of variables that led them to their current situation.
there is a practical (and thus logical) place for personal responsibility, there is no such place for blame.
please note, im using the word blame here to include a negative emotional response, thats how i distinguish it from responsibility.
perhaps a better way to say this, is that i hold people responsible for their actions, but i recognize they are not
ultimately responsible for who/what they are, and thus i feel towards them the same as i would any human. (or at least i try).
"(Sam Harris would probably see this as a second best solution to some form of brainwashing or brain surgery that would entirely remove people's abilities to park illegally in any circumstance.)"
He wouldn't put it that way, he would likely point out (not to put words in his mouth :S) that what you call 'brainwashing' we call society. is treating theft like its a bad thing 'brainwashing' the next generation?
but, why are we talking so much about morality? i dont see how its remotely related..