America loves a reformer!
But Arnold Schwarznegger may simply be vindictive, or overly concerned
with proving to his "base" how tough on crime he is.
Aside from the dozens of reasons why the death penalty is wrong
generally, in Tookie's individual case, there was prosecutorial
misconduct involving comparing Tookie to a tiger in a jungle for the
all-white jury. That death penalties are awarded black men
disproportionately to any other segment of the population is a known
fact. That hundreds of former death row inmates were cleared completely
by DNA tests which were unavailable at their convictions shows that we
cannot trust this verdict (or any other verdict for that
matter) sufficiently to take a human life for it.
Tookie Williams has turned his life around, and has, even from jail,
been a positive voice and influence for black, inner city youth who are
tempted to get involved in gangs.
While I see nothing wrong with young blacks or young latinos hanging
out together socially, the problem begins when those gangs of youth get
involved in criminal activies such as violent assaults on other gang
members, or other crimes such as burglaries or illegal drug networks.
In my own community in Santa Cruz, we have a problem with gangs of
white, "neo-nazi" (their word) youth who like to beat up homeless
people for sport. Rumors fly that they are the children of police
officers so they are rarely charged with any of the crimes they commit.
Leaders like Tookie Williams, who know the ropes, have walked the walk,
and can see thru the bullshit, are in rare supply, and what is needed.
His value alive is of far greater benefit for society than his death
would ever be.
Redemption should be a popular theme: George W. Bush put that bottle of
Jim Beam down (and the cocaine and pills...) and went on to become
president of the United States. (okay, bad example).
Jesus taught the parable of the prodigal son, who despite wasting years
estranged and occupied with wine, women, and song, returned home to
share equally in his fathers inheritance.
Speaking of Jesus, he said to forgive 7 times 70.
Dr. Phil says that forgiveness is part of the 12-step programs. The
person being forgiven must have genuinely reformed, regrets past
behavior, and wants to atone. Tookie Williams fits this description
with whipped cream and a cherry on top.
And didn't Arnold Schwartzenegger used to use steroids? These
dangerous, illegal drugs were so common in the body-building world. But
he has stopped using them, and counsels young people to not use them,
doesn't he? We forgave him and elected him governor.
Can Arnold follow the example of the citizens of California who forgave
him his past misbehaviors and elected him governor?
Read
or post comments in the Pagesincolor.com blog
Pagesincolor.com
2860 Porter st #414
Soquel, CA 95073 USA
831-425-3316
info@pagesincolor.com