Last night, we learned that Stanley Williams died because the collective people of California thought he should. Well, the government of the people of California, acting in their behalf. A man who contributed more to society than most of the schmucks I met everyday with his messages against gang violence is dead. A voice of authority on the topic that stood a chance of reaching someone? Dead.
Okay, so, now we're better off to have this scum dead, right? Every argument I hear in support of the death penalty seems more and more absurd each time. Are we safer now that a man that was doing all he could to combat crime behind bars is dead? Did he deserve it? That isn't justice, that is revenge. We're a sick, sick society -- is it any wonder we have some crime problems?
...and what if we're wrong? To what clemency board do we appeal?
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3 comments:
You say:
"Are we safer now that a man that was doing all he could to combat crime behind bars is dead? Did he deserve it? That isn't justice, that is revenge. We're a sick, sick society -- is it any wonder we have some crime problems?"
You miss the point. The guy broke the law and got sentenced to death. If he did genuinely reform (and wasn't just hoping he'd have his sentence reviewed for 'being nice') then while it is a shame he had to be sentenced to death to reform, the bottom line remains: he broke the law, and the law said he should die.
As for whether it is "revenge", it is debatable. The death penalty is certainly punishment -- and justice is punishment. Your law says death can be used as a punishment.
Plus, I think your idea of letting people off who subsequently "become nice" is about as unjust as you can get...
I miss the point?
First of all, I didn't suggest we let him go out and live a normal life. The man was behind bars and would be for life.
Yes, our law does say that death can be used for punishment, but it isn't difficult to see that such rationale is a ruse for revenge. What practical reason is there for using death as a punishment? How exactly does that make us safer?
More insight on Tookie:
At approximately 5:00 a.m. on March 11, 1979, Stanley Williams entered the Brookhaven Motel at 10411 South Vermont Avenue.
Once inside the private office, Williams, using his shotgun, killed seventy-six year old Yen-I Yang; Williams also killed Yang's wife, sixty-three year old Tsai-Shai Yang; lastly, Williams killed Yang's daughter, forty-three year old Yee-Chen Lin. Williams then removed the currency from the cash register and fled the location.
. . . "soaked with blood," "gasping for air, and making gurgling noises." (TT 1501). They also saw the bloodied body of Tsai-Shai Yang. She was making "gurgling noises" and "gasping for air," with "her knees drawn up under her, and her face down on the floor," as if she had been forced to bow down before being killed. (TT 1502). Lastly, the deputies found the body of Yee-Chen Lin lying on the hallway floor.
What would you say if this was one of your family members "gurgling" their final breathe after Tookie shot them. My brother was murdered and I have no remorse for these animals. Tookie should have been put to death a long time ago. I can not believe people want to live with animals like this. They should not be allowed to breathe the same air we breathe. Get rid of them! Send a message to anyone even thinking about commiting murder. You will be put to death if you commit murder. Simple.
If you pitty them so much then invite them to stay at your house, and you can pick up the tab that 'WE' are paying for!
http://crime.about.com/od/deathrow/a/tookie15.htm (check out all the violence that occured in jail when he was in there. Check out the threats on the jurors too.) Real nice guy hey. Give me a break!
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