I'm saying that we could call it "20 years" instead of "life" to make MichaelP happy - and the substance would still be the same: a dirtbag locked up in prison for life.
Did you read your response before posting? You say the substance would be unchanged a dirtbag locked up for life but it would be better to say "20 years" rather than "life". That is exactly the definition of arguing symbolism over substance.
Indeed I did. You didn't read it after I posted it.
Here's a recap:
(1) "Substance" would refer to the dirtbag in question dying in prison.
(2) "Symbolism" would refer to the name you assign to the sentence that produces the substantive result - you could call it "20 years" you could call it "life", you could call it "Fred" if it makes people happy.
My posts so far have had the same message: you can call it what you like, as long as he dies in prison.
So, when I say that you can use any name you want as long as he's locked up for life, I am indeed putting the substance over the symbolism.