Murderers

[aybabtu1313]

The state of California just killed a reformed man who would have been worth more alive doing good for the world than dead.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/12/13/williams.execution/index.html

Rest in peace comrade in arms(12-13-05).

Comments

[cerulescent]

Yeah, I read that story earlier during a study break. It's such a damn shame...much more evil individuals get such lighter sentences than he did, even without attempting to pretend that they have turned their lives around. His story is just another testament to America's pathetic justice system.

[e_franz12]

I agree. I don't know why you would put someone to death who was doing good work. Let him rot in jail.

I have no compassion for him though. I wouldn't call him a comrade.

The man killed at least 4 people, probably many more and started a gang that has covered the country. A gang that is responsible for multiple deaths everyday.

I don't agree with the death penalty at all.

And I think it was a waste.

[aybabtu1313]

I call him a comrade because, in my eyes, he was trying to redeem for his crimes against society by trying to guide others to avoid doing the same. Anybody who shows that they are sorry and not just by saying it is a comrade to me. In many cases, they are better than many people out there that live passive lives with no intentions to bring either a negative or positive influence to this world. While Williams had a negative history, he decided to create a postive one by warning others to not do the same as he did.

[our_little_girl]

C'mon what do you expect from a state lead by the terminator?

But seriously, I was really hoping he would be granted clemency.

[e_franz12]

Of course the question is, would we have felt the same about a "reformed" Hitler?

And would we feel the same way about Bush if 10 years from now he starts preaching anti-war propaganda?

[cerulescent]

I don't think Hitler or Bush can really be compared to Williams.

[e_franz12]

If you believe in redemption you believe in redemption. You can't qualify who gets and who doesn't.

And if you don't think the Crips have killed at least a 1000 people since they began 25 years ago you are terribly naive.

[aybabtu1313]

It is not the crips that I am calling a comrade, it is a man that has denounced his association from them, who has asked for forgiveness, and who did some good by telling others the truth of what it is like to be in such a gang. He has done more good for this world than Bush or Hitler ever did. Based on that, I feel that he was worth more to the cause alive and a man like that has earned the right to be my comrade.

[asteinho]

I don't agree with the death penalty. It is a tough call. I believe in compassion, forgiveness and redemption. But I also know no matter how many people this man may have saved from horrible fates, it wont change anything for the famalies of people who died because of him.

I've often though about the fate of men like Hitler, and what would be the reaction if they had genuinely repented and tried to do good for the rest of their life. Is it really an eye for an eye? Or as Shakespeare said, Measure for Measure. Can you make up for all the bed by doing good?