On Tookie

[rgallitan]

I don't know about "probably innocent." It does seem in question, but he was convicted, and, in 26 years, there hasn't been compelling evidence to overturn the ruling

Comments

[unended01]

I like this part of Schwarzenegger's statement:

The dedication of Williams’ book “Life in Prison” casts significant doubt on his personal redemption. This book was published in 1998, several years after Williams’ claimed redemptive experience. Specifically, the book is dedicated to “Nelson Mandela, Angela Davis, Malcolm X, Assata Shakur, Geronimo Ji Jaga Pratt, Ramona Africa, John Africa, Leonard Peltier, Dhoruba Al-Mujahid, George Jackson, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and the countless other men, women, and youths who have to endure the hellish oppression of living behind bars.” The mix of individuals on this list is curious. Most have violent pasts and some have been convicted of committing heinous murders, including the killing of law enforcement.

But the inclusion of George Jackson on this list defies reason and is a significant indicator that Williams is not reformed and that he still sees violence and lawlessness as a legitimate means to address societal problems.

George Jackson, a subject of a Bob Dylan song, was murdered in prison by

[anonymous]

Well, can you think of a better reason for it to not be genuine than it not being genuine?

Michael

[anonymous]

How hard is it to understand Ahnold's point?

In plain English: Tookie's "change of heart" was probably just to look good for the parole board and his supporters. If he didn't show any real remorse for the subsequent actions of the mebers of the gang he founded, his change of heart was deemed fake. Got it? Okay.

[rgallitan]

You are decieved by the simplicity of the argument. If you look closer, you will find that it is too simple - in fact it is utterly hollow. Remember, whether Tookie has shown remorse is the very thing in question. Schwarzenegger then uses the assertion that he has not shown remorse to establish that he has not shown remorse. That's circular reasoning. Fallacy of Pleading the Question. The fact that he uses the phrase "change of heart" in one half of the argument, and "remorse" in the other just disguises the fallacy in semantics, but the two phrases mean the same thing. And while we're at it, the way he speaks of showing "real" remorse - whatever that may entail - slaps him with a No True Scotsman fallacy to boot.

[lunameow]

I think it's less a question of whether he'd shown remorse so much as whether he felt it. I can SHOW remorse about a lot of things. I can appear to be remorseful for slamming the door in my neighbor's face when she woke me up in the middle of the night to beg for money. Doesn't mean I wouldn't do it again in a heartbeat, and definitely doesn't mean I actually felt bad about it. Same situation in reverse... she "sincerely" apologizes every time she bangs on my door in the middle of the night to beg for two dollars. But the fact that I can even say "every time" tells you that she obviously doesn't FEEL remorse, or she wouldn't keep doing it

[rgallitan]

--I think it's less a question of whether he'd shown remorse so much as whether he felt it