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Dec. 14, 2005 California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger denied clemency and refused to spare the life of convicted murderer, Stanley "Tookie" Williams. The Governor wrote, "Is Williams' redemption complete and sincere, or is it just a hollow promise? Without an apology and atonement for these senseless and brutal killings, there can be no redemption." Tookie Williams admitted to a violent lifestyle but maintained that he was innocent of killing four people in two separate hold-ups. He apologized for being a co-founder of the Crips, a vicious street gang . While on Death Row, he wrote children's books and worked to steer youth away from street gangs It appeared that Stanley "Tookie" Williams had redeemed himself while he was on Death Row. Innocent or otherwise, admitting responsibility for the crimes might have saved his life. Acknowledging guilt did not save the life of Karla Faye Tucker who was convicted of murdering two people with a pickax. She converted to Christianity while she was on death row. The story is that Texas Governor, George W. Bush openly taunted Karla Faye Tucker when she was pleading for her life. `Please,' the Texas Governor, whimpered, his lips pursed in mock desperation, `don't kill me,' He quotes, "Oh, yeah..... What a whiner. But, God, with all due respect, should I have to pardon her just because Pat Robertson and the Pope asked me to? When Bush officially denied the clemency, he quoted that he took an oath of office to uphold the laws including the death penalty. He respected the strong convictions which have prompted some to call for mercy and others to emphasize accountability and consequences. He have concluded judgment about the heart and soul of an individual on death row are best left to a higher authority The courts, including the United States Supreme Court, have reviewed the legal issues in this case, and therefore he would not grant a stay of execution for Karla Faye Tucker. Many folks are skeptical of death-row transformation. It may be a good thing for condemned convicts to sit around on death roll for fifteen or more years. It gives them time to make peace with their creator. Nevertheless, writing some children's books. or converting to Christianity does not atone for brutal crimes committed. Certainly the family members of the victims would not buy that. Most of the time, I am at odds with the silly Republican from Texas. I have to agree with his statement that issues of the heart and soul of a person on death row are best left to a higher authority. I also have to agree with Sister Helen Prejean who says "The profound moral question is not, "Do they deserve to die?" but "Do we deserve to kill them?" Does the execution of a convicted murderer bring peace to families of the victims? Executing their killers won't bring back the loved ones. It won't ease the pain. Lengthy trials and appeals make the case drag on for years. It is like pouring salt into the wound and not allowing it to heal. The Death Penalty is not cost effective. It costs more to keep a person on death row than incarcerated for life. Meanwhile in some southern states like blood thirsty Texas, race plays a factor in who gets the death penalty. In Texas, a white woman, Andrea Yates was convicted of drowning her five children and received life in prison. A black woman , Kenisha Berry is sitting on death row. She was convicted of murdering her four day old son. Both women blamed the killings on postpartum depression, mental illness and Satanic possession West Virginia does not have a death penalty because the state can't afford one. Keeping a person on Death Row is not cost effective. There is appeal after appeal as the convicted killers fight for their lives. The taxpayer supported court system makes a fortune. If an innocent person is executed, it can never be corrected. Coretta Scott King quoted, "Forgiving violence does not mean condoning violence. There are only two alternatives to forgiving violence: revenge, or adopting an attitude of never-ending bitterness and anger. For too long we have treated violence with violence, and that's why it never ends." When Karla Faye Tucker made her last statement, she said that she would soon be face to face with Jesus. Tookie Williams declined a last statement but undoubtedly is now also with his creator. There is definite separation of Church and State. The Church will recognize redemption of convicted killers. The state does not acknowledge redemption. This is life on life's terms in the spiritworld or otherwise. The Former Texas Governor who is now United States President quoted "May God bless Karla Faye Tucker and may God bless her victims and their families." Former Movie Star, Arnold Schwarzenegger should have quoted "God Bless and Hasta La Vista Tookie!" ------------ About the author: Bonijean Isaacs is a freelance writer and Astrologer in West Virginia. Email: inez4liberty@gmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com. Please link to this article rather than copying and pasting it onto your site (which would be unauthorized and illegal). |
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