That's a fair point. The comment should have been more carefully phrased as aspirational. Recognizing that's not the current state of affairs, it does seem that

That's a fair point. The comment should have been more carefully phrased as aspirational. Recognizing that's not the current state of affairs, it does seem that not "forgetting" is akin to not "forgiving" in modern society. Consider trying to vote, let alone get a job after being released from prison if your name is plastered all over the internet in connection with a crime. That seems to be a second, extra-judicial sentence in fact if the law has in function "forgiven" you.