My last word...

[Sapphire Blue]

A man will die tonight, executed by the State, one minute after midnight.

May we learn from what this man has been teaching for over a decade... teaching about peace, teaching about redemption.

May Stanley Tookie Williams go with God... in this life and in the next.

[converted_democrat]

1. Amen..May God forgive him. n/t

[adarling]

2. Amen- God have mercy on his soul

[Endangered Specie]

3. The sad part is you seriously believe that...

Only thing hes taught people is in gangs, on how to commit crimes, leading by example.



If there is a God, He would probably send him straight to Hell.

ps (Spend more time praying for his victims instead, they deserve it a bit more)

[...of J.Temperance]

4. Now you see

I agree with you again ;)

[Endangered Specie]

7. I just cant believe rational people would so deeply mourn

such a destructive person... makes our side look pretty damn bad.

[tyedyeto]

14. Many of us are not mourning him but mourn our society who...

still believes it's right to murder another fellow human being in the state's name. That is what I feel the death penalty is ... murder by state.

[Endangered Specie]

17. I know,

Im only speaking about those who are actively mounring, not the entire anti-DP crowd.

[G_j]

26. as opposed to passively mourning?

:shrug:

[...of J.Temperance]

29. You might like to read this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5579634

I've said my piece, and because of that I've had to put on THIS incredibly fetching and snappy number...I'm fully kitted out now...



:rofl:

[converted_democrat]

19. He was destructive, but he was still a child of God.

I believe in what I was taught, and I was taught not to judge. I say a prayer for his soul, just as I would for any other facing death.

[AgadorSparticus]

75. you express my sentiment as well. When I was younger, I believe

in the death penalty. But as I got older and realized all the dynamic shades of gray, I choose to work on the side of love and non judgement. I believe in karma and I believe in letting god handle justice. But that requires strong faith and letting go which are impossible in a control addicted society.

[Czolgosz]

27. It's not Williams I morn; I morn those who so desperately want to kill him

[...of J.Temperance]

28. self-delete...accidental double post.

[noiretextatique]

45. have you read any of his books?

do you know that kids credit him, his teachings on those books with saving them from his fate in the gang life? what is "destructive" about that? i don't know any perfect people in my life...i know people who have committed heinous acts. my father accidentally shot and killed my brother...a cousin killed his father while in a drug-induced rage. I KNOW FOR A FACT that people do change and grow, even people who committed horrendous acts in their lives.
i absolutely believe williams is one of those people, and will pray for him as well as the people he victimized.

[Endangered Specie]

65. well, they should have changed before they commit murder...

and, before you get to excited about his 'books' (which were published and probably mostly written by his publicists), he hasnt managed to sell that many.

In any event, Id estimate the Crips gang has ruined far more lives that number of copies that book has sold.

[Bluerthanblue]

84. so ending

another life will make it all 'better'?

Or make us all a little less 'good'. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, will not only leave this world blind- (which we are close to) but sickly, gumming our food, and slowly wasting away.

[noiretextatique]

94. i grew up in that neighborhood

the same one where tookie did his works....and in spite of the crips, i managed to turn out okay, as did most of the people i know from that neighborhood. you obviously have never done anything wrong in your life or know anyone who as done anything wrong...how fortunate (or not) for you. pray that you never have to face this type of judgement, because condoning this state-sponsored murder will not save you.

[woo me with science]

83. snort

Lots of people have terribly eloquent conversions once they're facing justice. And this one STILL never apologized for his crimes or cooperated with police.

The gullibility on this board is mind-boggling.

[noiretextatique]

91. cooperating with the police means nothing, except an early execution

i wouldn't cooperate with the police either, if that would get me killed, which it probably would. if imploring others not to follow his path isn't "apologizing" enough for you, then perhaps you need to take a look in the mirror. some of you folks think too highly of yourselves and your need for apologies and denouncing...there's something mighty arrogant about that.

[G_j]

5. telling people how to pray

interesting

[AirmensMom]

16. You're wrong, ES.

God is more merciful than you are.

[Endangered Specie]

20. you have His telephone number?

I guarantee you one thing, I would refuse to beleive in a God who had no problem letting an unrepentant, cowardy, serial murderer (amongst other things) into eternal paradise.

[Midlodemocrat]

33. Well, I was taught that if a person repented, Christ

would welcome them home. I'm okay with that.


Here's a little joke about that:

Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and lots of other bad guys kept trying to get into Heaven and Jesus kept shutting the Pearly Gates on them. When his long day was done, Christ went into Heaven and saw all those to whom he had refused entrance walking around Heaven. He went up to Hitler and said "hey, I denied you entrance into Heaven, what are you doing in here". Hitler replied; "we went around to the back door and your mother let us in".

A very Catholic joke, but a little funny as well.

[AirmensMom]

38. What you believe is up to you.

How people are judged for eternity is up to God. When you meet him face to face, even you might be humbled enough to ask for forgiveness. Miracles do happen.

[stepnw1f]

69. That Was Beautiful (nt)

[nofurylike]

96. *

visionary

peace

[NYC Liberal]

22. "leading by example" ... so when YOU support killing.....?

[judaspriestess]

120. could you please remove the pic you have

its the most gross picture I think I have ever seen in my life.

King and Queen of the lizard people. ol barbara is starting to really show her scaley skin, (shuttering)

[NYC Liberal]

23. delete

[figureditout]

31. thank you

[bosspepper1]

39. Count on it.

Hell awaits.

[roguevalley]

57. so redemption and rehabilitation are a sham we perpetuate so

that people don't see the savages we've become. Christianity, which most of this country supposes to belong to, DEMANDS that we turn the cheek. So much for Christianity. And don't quote the Old Testament to me.

[woo me with science]

81. thank you!

the victims? who????????

[me b zola]

89. May God have mercy on OUR souls

How is that glass house of yours working for ya?? Is your hair on fire yet??

[H2O Man]

6. A sad day.

There is too much hatred in our society.

[Aretha]

12. No one on DU

has done more to spread hatred and destruction, especially among some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in America, than Stan Williams.

I wonder ... has anyone here actually bought any of Williams' 9 books? Just curious.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MissB]

24. duplicate

[laylah]

41. I have!

I use them as learning tools for the at-risk kids I work with. Tookie's story never fails to impress them, and NOT in a "Wow, I wanna be a gangsta'"! type of way. I have had kids who were involved with gangs, turn away from them after reading Tookie's books.

"Why do we kill people who kill people to teach people killing is wrong"?

[noiretextatique]

97. bullshit

there has been a non-stop barrrage of the most hateful and vindictive tripe on DU for the past few days, perpetrated by people who have absolutely no stake in this case. they didn't and don't live in the 'hood, they don't know anyone in a gang, and they don't give a SHIT about any of the victims of williams'self-professed pathology...real or imagined...not the ones he was convicted of killing or the ones he was never tried for.
they want blood...that's it and that's all. fuck the noble intentions bs...there is no "nobility": in clamoring for someone's death.

[Sapphire Blue]

108. What you say is true; may they receive mercy whenever they may need it.

[Don Claybrook]

49. And fear too.

Fear and hatred. Yes, they're flip-sides of the same thing, as we've all been told.

I'm anti-death penalty, and I'm trying to understand the minds of those who are for it. Because even though I used to count myself as pro-capital punishment, I'm a different person now, and the person that I am cannot understand the other side of this argument. It doesn't make any sense to me anymore.

Assuming for the sake of this post the Mr. Williams is guilty as charged (and I personally believe this to be the case), and assuming that his conversion is genuine and truthful (I personally do believe this to be the case), and assuming that he is executed at midnight tonight, what will this action have accomplished? Here's how I see it:

-We all understand Tookie won't be committing any more murders, at least in this plane. That's a very weak and one-off argument. I don't know the numbers, but I think that escape rates from supermax prisons must be awfully low.

-People will claim that the victims' families have received some measure of justice. No, justice and vengeance just aren't equivalent. The families of the victims may feel some grim sense of satisfaction, but they won't have their loved ones back. Grim satisfaction, by the way, isn't built to last. It's an energy-sucking emotion and it never pays off. And I believe that people come to realize this (and then later forget it, so as to help with starting the next cycle). Now, I don't have any loved ones or acquaintances who have been murdered, so I cannot possibly know what that feels like. My suspicion is that it is like other grieving and anger processes, but much greater in magnitude. All of that is preface to saying that I think the families of murder victims see justice served when they can finally be at peace. And being at peace would necessarily include not being consumed with hatred for the killer. I didn't say anything about learning to love the killer or working for his release or whatever. I just mean that it seems intuitive that when a family member can work through enough issues and let enough time pass, their best bet for being at peace is by not being consumed (or destroyed, if you'd like) with rage for the murderer. So I don't think any real justice will be served tonight.

-Tookie may be guilty (and it's even within the slight realm of possibility that he's not), but there are many more on death row whose cases are much less clear. There are some on death row who are innocent, at least statistically speaking. So, who gets to decide who lives and dies? Oh yeah, ultimately, that decision rests with our government. What could possibly go wrong? I don't think I need to carry that point any farther.

So the tradeoff is, we let ourselves act as a barbaric society, and in return, we get...nothing. We get to hate more. We get to fear more. We get a momentary sense of having some power (by proxy of the executioner) over a world in which we generally feel powerless.

So I don't get it, and maybe I never will.

[Binka]

117. Best Tookie Post Ever.......Of Course It Was Written By You

I've not chimed in on this issue. Now I don't have to because you've spoken for me. Peace and Love to you my dear friend. Happy Holidays from Peyton Rose & I.

[Connie_Corleone]

8. Did he confess yet? Did he cooperate with police by giving up

the names of gang members yet?

[Walt Starr]

10. Nope

and it's a bit late now for him top do so.

[Czolgosz]

47. Those facts would be relevant to an acquittal or a plea deal. In regard to

a clemency plea perhaps we should ask if these facts have been rebutted:

1. Is he a black man?
2. Is he accused of killing non-black people, including women?
3. Does it remain true that in America black men accused of killing non-black people (especially women) are selected for prosecutions seeking the death penalty at a much higher rate than others?
4. Does it remain true that black men accused of killing non-black people (especially women) are sentenced to the death penalty at a much higher rate than others?
5. Has the prosecutor who prosecuted Williams been rebuked (twice) for improperly using jury strikes on a racial basis?
6. Did the prosecutor who prosecuted Williams use his peremptory strikes conspicuously against black jurors?
7. Would Williams not receive the death penalty if convicted of the exact same crimes in a different state (or nearly any other civilized country)?
8. Does it remain true that in America we are still finding that many of those who were on death row were, in fact, innocent of the crimes they were convicted of and they have been released?

I have not yet heard anyone rebut the essential facts that the death penalty in America is applied in a manner that is biased based on race (the accused's and the victim's), gender, economic class, and region. I have not yet heard anyone rebut the essential facts that Williams's prosecutor is known to have acted with improper racial motivations in his tactics. I have not heard anyone convincingly argue that Williams would be facing the same fate if he were a woman or if he were white or if his victims had all been black men or if he was convicted in one of the many states or countries that do not allow the death penalty. I have not heard anyone rebut the fact that our system of execution is flawed.

Yet Williams will die. This is a tragedy as much for the executioner as for the executed.

[Stand and Fight]

9. Amen.

The level of hatred I detect in regards to this matter is disturbing. However, the work to abolish the death penalty must continue. Furthermore, let's not forget the four people who lost their lives as a result of his direct actions.

May his victims find eternal peace in the arms of God.

May he go to meet his maker, answer for his trespasses, and have peace with God.

So be it.


EDIT: Spell check.

[Wind Dancer]

11. In solidarity, Sapphire Blue.

Stanley Tookie Williams has made a huge impact on people worldwide through his teachings and messages.

The state can't KILL the work he has done over his lifetime, the message will NOT die.

Tookie will finally be at peace with God.

[Sapphire Blue]

36. ...

:hug:

[goclark]

63. (((Hugs))) for you Sapphire Blue

:hug:

[Sapphire Blue]

64. ...

:hug:

[ClayZ]

13. Lighting a candle, here, for Stanley Tookie Williams...

:cry:

[Fescue4u]

71. Lighting 4 here for his victims.

[Bluerthanblue]

79. it is easy

to see them as the victims they are- There are millions who have sympathized with the loss of their lives, and who feel lessened by thier deaths.

But it takes a different kind of outlook to feel true compassion for someone everyone else chooses to hate- Despite the harm this man may have done- he's done good too- and we, as a society of (god,... this word doesn't fit here at all) " CIVILIZED people- are demonstrating how WRONG it is to take another persons life, by taking this mans life.

We should light a candle for this world- because we need it, we "americans" are leading the charge, becoming ever more vengefull, judgemental, un-forgiving, hypocritical tyrants- but maybe we've always been that way, and it is just becoming more self- evident-
that all 'men' are NOT created equal- and are only endowed with the 'right' to life, when they fit certian criteria, and we can take that right away from them and grant OURSELVES 'amenesty'- at will.

sad, sad, sad. all the killing in the world won't bring his victims back- or change anything, except to diminish us all.

(edit-grammar)

[Czolgosz]

15. You did good work, toiling thanklessly for what is right and moral and you

put up with much abuse. You should be very proud.

Someday, these same people who posted such ugly, mean-spirited things in the threads you started will have some issue which they believe in passionately. Maybe it will be another state passing of yet another homophobic constitutional amendment, maybe it will be an extension of CAFTA, or further limitations on reproductive freedoms, or restrictions on consumer protections, or environmental protections, or whatever issue is dearly important to them.

These people will ask "where are the other people to support me and this cause?" And they will find that there is not as much community as there should be.

By community I mean this: Some of progressive issues are very important to me; others are less important, but my Democratic friends support me in the issues that are most important to me and I support them in the issues most important to them -- even if I don't feel as strongly as they do about the issue -- simply because those issues are important to them and I respect them and I stand with them. That's what a political community is about.

This lack of community is a big part of why we lose elections. The Christian Jihadists and the Neo-Con Imperialists and the Enron-Diebold Corporatist don't share in many views but they stick together as a political community. It's sad when we need to learn a political lesson from them.

If you don't think this lack of political community is a cancer, you should think back to the not-so-distant past when Texans voted for Ann Richards and Jim Hightower. How did we go from those giants to voting for Bush and Cornyn?

There were several factors at play, of course, but a pig part of this failure was the direct result of Democrats failing to stand by their fellow Democrats.

Texas labor groups stopped helping feminists protect women's rights; feminists stopped helping consumer advocates protect consumers' rights; consumer advocates stopped helping environmentalists protect our air, water, and land; environmentalists stopped helping urban activists protect the rights of the inner-city poor; urban activists stopped helping the GLBT community protect gay from discrimination; and gays stopped helping labor protect workers' rights, etc.

I'm not saying that all the members of these groups walked away from each other; I'm saying that they didn't support each other as much as they should have. This is the genius of Rove's hatred politics. He'll demonize unions so other Democrats are weaker than they should be in supporting workers' rights; he'll demonize trial lawyers so other Democrats give up on protecting consumers; he's demonize feminists so some of the Democrats feel alienated from the fight to ensure women's rights. That Karl Rove's talent -- drawing us apart. He's not a hate-savant like Joseph McCarthy, but Rove's got some impressive talents in the field of hate mongering.

This is part of the reason why I get so disheartened when I see threads which are deliberately calculated to denigrate death-penalty opponents, or vegetarians, or gays, or liberal Christians, or any group we should support. If we can't stand by one another, we have no chance of working our way past this reign of witches like Rove and his hate mongering colleagues.

Remember the words of Thomas Jefferson: "A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt. If the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake."

[militaryWife]

66. well said

[Midlodemocrat]

18. Thank you for your efforts Sapphire Blue ,not necessarily

on behalf of Tookie Williams, but on behalf of all those who sit on death row.

State sanctioned murder is not the way to go. Ever.

[emlev]

25. Thank you for posting

It's a very sad day.

[Kurovski]

30. I'm often struck by how-- in a self-described Christian nation--

the whole concept of redemption goes begging.

There is a great deal of lip-service given to Jesus Christ, but it appears that it is the vengeance and tribalism of the Old Testament that interests many a Christian today.

[stepnw1f]

32. Go In Peace (nt)

[nofurylike]

34. yes

[Sapphire Blue]

35. ..

:hug:

[nofurylike]

73. *

:hug:

[Sapphire Blue]

78. ...

:hug:

Thank you so much, my dear friend, for everything... especially for the beautiful person that you are.

[nofurylike]

95. *

inspirational, your devotion to Justice
my dear friend

:hug:

gratitude

[nofurylike]

100. *

you teach me beauty

Sapphire Blue

[Silverhair]

37. Your last word about Tookie? Really? Is that a promise? NT

[Czolgosz]

50. You aware that this is the shit that people are expressing disgust about?

Your attitude toward someone who worked hard in connection with an issue that means the world to them nauseates me.

[Silverhair]

51. He also posted numerous lies about Tookie.

When corrected on the lies, he ignored the corrections, and continued to post the same lies. That has led me to lose all respect for him.

I can respect a principled DP opponent who stays with the facts. I don't respect liars.

[Sapphire Blue]

52. *** I want to sincerely thank everyone who has posted on this & previous..

... threads... (especially those who have posted unkind remarks, as it seems that the poster to whom you were replying <and I have on 'ignore'> has done, Czolgosz.)

My sincere 'Thank You': http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5535280&mesg_id=5538598

[T Town Jake]

56. For someone so "concerned" about the perpetuation of violence...

...in this world, you sure do have an interesting screename:

Czolgosz

[Czolgosz]

58. It's a reference to the anarchist professor character in the movie Slacker

[AirmensMom]

40. Keep fighting against the DP, Sapphire Blue.

Too bad you've had to put up with so much hatefulness for your efforts. :hug:

[Sapphire Blue]

42. ...

:hug:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

43. ...

You've put a lot of effort into this fight against the DP. I can only stand with you.

:hug:

[Sapphire Blue]

44. ...

:hug:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

48. ...

:hug:

:D :D

[stlsaxman]

46. Thank you.

And may the Nobel Commitee give him the Peace Prize posthumously. Seriously.

[Avalux]

53. My 13 daughter just asked me if Tookie will be in pain.

She doesn't understand - she thinks he should be allowed to remain in jail for life as long as he's contributing to society, so to speak.

I have to agree with her. I really didn't know what to say about her question either. I explained they try to make it painless and it probably is, but we'll never know because we won't have the chance to ask him.

[Sapphire Blue]

54. I would tell her...

... that the pain will end, and that he will go with God.

[Raydawg1234]

60. lets not forget that this guy killed 4 people

it's not that I advocate the death penalty, but if you knew that you were gonna die, wouldn't you reform?

[Bluerthanblue]

76. how does one re-form?

how do you know in his heart he hasn't?
What's so wrong about killing anyway? It's what 'we' noble, righteous people we say we are, have CHOSEN with a 'clear mind' and 'bald faced pre-meditation' to do to him-

"ah, but you see, he KILLED several people, and must be punished, by killing him that way people will know they shouldn't kill- or 'we' will kill them."

We tell our children not to hit, not to emulate behaviours that are offensive, not to be hypocrites, while our examples to them scream just the opposite- We have more power than them, so, we can do whatever we want, and find all the excuses we want to justify what we say others shouldn't.


It's not up to 'me' to forgive Tookie- but it is up to him to forgive 'us' for doing what we claim to be so WRONG- in return for what HE did wrong-

i'm ashamed of this nation. one more senseless death, will NOT bring back those he killed- nor will it stop ANYONE from killing anyone else- America, our motto should be "do as I say, NOT as I do"-

we're fools. stupid, vengeful fools.

[Bluerthanblue]

80. i would too-

and that God takes no joy in what we are doing-
May He show us more mercy than we show each other-

"Unmerited Grace"- Mercy, is more scarce than ever in this weary world.

peace- forever-

[Sapphire Blue]

82. ...

:hug:

[Parche]

55. teachings

Teaching gang violence is not something to be proud of

GOD is the only one that can forgive him, and I hope he can, because I could never forgive him
for killing 4people.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

59. Let's Hope He Repents More To God Than He Did Down Here

As far as I know he still has not condemned his crimes. I hope he has at least done so in the privacy of his cell tonight, so that when he meets his god he can be redeemed. Otherwise, if even privately he maintains the lie, than I fear the Lord may not go so easy on him.

[laylah]

61. For all of your efforts

:hug: May Tookie find his peace.

[Sapphire Blue]

62. ...

:hug:

[tamtam]

67. Much love to you

I've read many of your threads you have worked so hard. :hug:

[Sapphire Blue]

68. ...

:hug:

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Peter Frank]

72. K & R...

Thank you Sapphire Blue for you're commitment to the concept of redemption and for sparking this debate on the DP. It's been quite illuminating to me to see the spectrum of views held by various DUers.

My 2 cents... The only thing Capital Punishment teaches is the notion that killing is a satisfactory means of addressing a problem -- and if some are innocent ...well sobeit (I'm not saying Williams is innocent).

This sounds eerily familiar doesn't it? After all, our government clearly finds it justifiable to kill innocent Iraqis in persecuting the "war on terror." ...Which begs the question, if innocent people are terrorized & killed in a state sponsored effort (however well meaning), doesn't this make it difficult to sort out who the bad guys are? If I had a brother who was wrongly accused of a capital crime and was executed by the state, I would feel the same as if I were an Iraqi & lost a loved one to a cruise missile attack. From this perspective -- there would be no question in my mind who the bad guys are.

My hope is that we as a society will grow to aspire to the better aspects of our nature, and stop the killing -- that we elect people of such character. This would eliminate the kind of ambiguity I described; and the world would see us (and we would see ourselves) as peacemakers one again -- and not callous war mongers fueling a new generation of "terrorists."



Merry Christmas. ...Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.

[Sapphire Blue]

74. ...

:hug:

May God / Goddess / Allah / Jehovah / YHWH / the Creator / Waheguru / the One have mercy on us, awaken our souls and restore humanity.

[Peter Frank]

77. Amen

[Bluerthanblue]

85. and Amen

[eridani]

86. Life in prison offers the options of redemption and restitution

The DP does not.

Crime is a wound; justice should be healing--slogan of the restorative justice movement.

[eridani]

87. We have lost a battle--

--but the fight for restorative justice goes on. Thank you, Sapphire Blue, for your hard work in this area.

[AtomicKitten]

88. Those so anxious for Tookie to die should be ashamed.

His disposition is none of our business. What is our business is state-sanctioned murder.

[Sapphire Blue]

90. It is sad that some feel that way.

May God / Goddess / Allah / Jehovah / YHWH / the Creator / Waheguru / the One have mercy on us, awaken our souls and restore humanity.

[nicknameless]

92. .

Thank you, Sapphire Blue.

[Sapphire Blue]

93. ...

:hug:

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

98. Apparently, the citizens of California...

are doing the "Beer Barrel Polka" over this. To them I say "I fart, piss, and puke in your general direction."

I hope you manage to masturbate yourselves to climax upon hearing the morning news...

[Sapphire Blue]

112. May they receive mercy whenever they may need it.

[nofurylike]

99. *

with you

:hug:

[nofurylike]

101. *

with you
:hug:

[rfkrfk]

102. Hasta la Vista, Tookie n/t

[nofurylike]

103. everyone

:grouphug:

"they know not what they do"


peace

[nofurylike]

104. peace and gratitude

:hug:

[nofurylike]

105. Peace, Stan

[nofurylike]

106. "I'm okay. My conscience is clear," he said.

[Sapphire Blue]

107. Stanley Tookie Williams ~ Dec. 29, 1953 - Dec. 13, 2005 ~

Aloha, my brother.

Thank you for teaching me.

[FreedomAngel82]

109. Now all that can happen

is those lives he touched to change things will keep going to make change. God bless the work he has done!

[Sapphire Blue]

110. ...

:hug:

[nofurylike]

111. *

:hug:

[ClayZ]

113. (((((Sapphire Blue))))))

Thank you for your thoughtful post!

[Sapphire Blue]

115. ...

:hug:

[Peter Frank]

114. I have this dream...

...that all God's children know they have fallen short of His glory, and will dedicate their lives to redeeming themselves by love and action. It's not outrageous to express outrage at the outrageous -- it's our conscientious duty. Wrong will always be wrong -- regardless of spin.

Jesus kicked the money changers out of the temple. He overturned the tables!

No matter where we're born, there will be an extant nest of vipers in control. Rather than complaining, "Why am I a descendant of this shit?" -- Maybe a better question is, "What kind of ancestor do I want to be?"

[Sapphire Blue]

116. A dream worth living!

And a question worth asking! :hug:

[Binka]

118. Bump

:kick:

[Sapphire Blue]

119. Pope, many Europeans express outrage over execution of 'Tookie' Williams

Pope, many Europeans express outrage over execution of 'Tookie' Williams
11:23:13 EST Dec 13, 2005
VANESSA GERA

VIENNA, Austria (AP) - The execution of convicted murderer Stanley (Tookie) Williams in California on Tuesday outraged many in Europe, who regard the practice as barbaric, and feelings ran particularly high in Austria, the homeland of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

At the Vatican, Pope Benedict's top official for justice matters denounced the death penalty for going against redemption and human dignity.

"We know the death penalty doesn't resolve anything," Renato Cardinal Martino told Associated Press Television News. "Even a criminal is worthy of respect because he is a human being. The death penalty is a negation of human dignity."

Capital punishment is illegal throughout the European Union, and many Europeans consider state-sponsored executions to be barbaric. Those feelings were amplified in the case of Williams, due to the apparent remorse they believe the Crips gang co-founder showed by writing children's books about the dangers of gangs and violence.

Continued @ http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/051213/w121350.html

May God / Goddess / Allah / Jehovah / YHWH / the Creator / Waheguru / the One have mercy on us, awaken our souls and restore humanity.

[nofurylike]

121. thank you, SB. i am thankful that Europeans are voicing outrage with us.

sad the pope's top official for justice matters didn't have a firm talk with catholic arnold.

alas...


peace