Truth
In our society, we have to deal with issues of capital punishment. I know in my heart that inncoent people have suffered at the hands of the state. That's not to say that the guilty haven't always gone free. We have to realize that we, all of us, live in an imperfect society. We try in many ways to be better, but the more things change, the more they stay the same. I've never met Stanley Williams. Growing up in Watts although I am quite familiar with the Crips. To those who have never suffered at the hands of terrorists(that's right, terrorists) I will only say try living under those conditions. The murders, the drugs, the lives destroyed, and a community annihilated. In some respect, we must thank "Tookie" for this.
planetary - Thanks for the comment. I'm surprised more people aren't expressing an opinion on this.
B-
I covered an execution about 5 years ago. If you think your mind is racing now...wait until the night of. I don't know how these things work in Cali, but in Oaklahoma (where I was at the time) the executions happen at the stroke of midnight. Our last live hit wrapped at 11:05...then for the next 55 minutes we (media) waited in a crowded little room, for a man to die. That was a long hour. When the phone finally rang at ten after, entire room jumped. It was a morbid experience. Be glad you won't have to actually watch the man die...just or unjust...the mere idea of a man being killed while a bunch of people stand around and watch...well...personally I find it morbid and disgusting. It's a perplexing situation. I'm sure your mind will be racing all night, throughout the entire process. I recommend bringing a note pad (or laptop) and writing your thoughts down as you have them.
My entire experience in Oklahoma forever changed my views on capital punishment.
Thanks for being thoughtful on this, beFrank. What do you make of the stories of Williams' apparent turn around?--his speaking out against gang violence and the way of life he once lived? I think he surely deserves death for the actions of his life, but I don't think, based on the stories I've heard of him, that some mercy would be wasted on him. If we thought that mercy towards him wouldn't be wasted, and I think it could be argued so in his case, then I think exercising some mercy towards him would be the right thing to do.
As far as whether a group of people has the right to take a life is an even thornier question, I think, even if that group is "society". Doe's one's deserving of death qualify some other person or group deserving of taking a life? I guess I'm in the "I don't know..." boat, as well.
my first thought on it was
hey you lead people to killing, you killed, you sold drugs and had others selling drugs, which creates a modern day slavery,. Tookie, you are no better than the ancestors who sold their brothers into slavery and now
in this society that will kill you for it, what did you expect?
then i heard him speak
and i know he has created a ripple of peace - just a small insignificant ripple in comparison to the waves he created as the crip leader
but, are there more peaceful ripples to come? and should he be given the chance to create them from prison?
or will he be better off as a martyr - at least for the anti capital punishment folks...
i dont know?
I am only against capital punishment when an innocent person dies, not so much when someone who has created so much evil will be put to death...
this case is unique, it's thought provoking, it's going to be a lesson all the way around.
sheesh. long comment just now, hell-scan ate it.
good post, i'll email later about great thoughtprovoking job ya did here,
happy turkey day to the whole Frank family, eat well friends!
Happy Thanksgiving Bryan, enjoy a family day, i bet Dellis does a great turkey!
I am a bit torn by this, but at the same time I cannot get beyond a few things. First and foremost he ended the lives of others.
And how many others did he hurt in the process. I am not sure that you ever are able to make up for something like that.
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