Did anyone notice
as they woke up this morning, that the world was a much brighter, safer, more loving and peaceful place?
Yeah, me neither.
So much for that.
And the executioners weren't even competent enough to find the goddamned vein. That's enough to make me physically ill. I like this LA Times piece on the matter a lot. Well...maybe not "like"...I appreciate it.
Merry Christmas everybody.
Yeah, me neither.
So much for that.
And the executioners weren't even competent enough to find the goddamned vein. That's enough to make me physically ill. I like this LA Times piece on the matter a lot. Well...maybe not "like"...I appreciate it.
Merry Christmas everybody.
posted by Flamingo Jones at 12/13/2005 07:39:00 AM
6 Comments:
If I were a devil's advocate type I might say that the killing of Williams might resonate within the hearts and minds of Iraqi---wait, not Iraqis, I mean gang members that, "Wow, if I get caught doing this shit, I WILL die." And, as such, perhaps convince a few potential murderers, rapists, and thugs to reflect on the life they choose to lead.
But, then again, I don't know how that stacks with the effect of ghost writing children's books in jail.
See...the thing with that argument is that they DON'T think like that. In general, it's been proven in studies time and time again that the death penalty is NOT a deterrant. People who commit crimes are do not think that they're going to be caught, in a majority of cases.
I would guess that at least 80% of the boys I've worked with (and a fair number of the girls as well) are gang members. We're talking some heavy duty inner city Chicago/Milwaukee gangs...nothing to mess with. They don't give a crap about Tookie Williams or his execution. Seriously. Plus, sadly of all, most of these kids figure they're going to die young as it is. So, how does this help them?
Also...as for the books...you've never heard/read me say anything about him making up for his crimes with those books. You may be confusing me with the Hollywood elite. It's an easy mistake to make, I know :)
You know, since midnight I've had a really bad time. I don't know if there's any connection, but the execution certainly didn't help.
You're right, Flamingo, that execution is not a deterrent and that most gangsters and McVeigh-types expect and/or want to die. The problem with the death penalty is that it is too much like supply-side economics: its success lies in unreliable chain reactions ("Well, I got a tax cut, so I should hire more workers!" "Gee golly Wally, that man got executed. I guess I should get off the streets."). At the same time, the lawmakers don't really expect either to work, just as long s they get their satisfaction. It's a sick world we live in.
I'm sorry you've had a bad time, Ian. I have too. It's mostly the execution thing for me, I think.
Plus, just minutes ago, I read Tucker Carlson's blog post about the execution, and I actually agreed with him. I even sent an email telling him so.
Talk about a sick world.
The George W Bush 2000 Stolen election commemorative Gold coin magnet.
Show Republicans your opposition to the illegitimate Bush regime.
Get them here, 13 dollars for a pack of 10.
http://www.cafepress.com/revolution09.40907793
Tell congress you don't approve of their "punish the poor" agenda.
http://www.hoflink.com/~dbaer/petitions.htm
Post a Comment
<< Home