Well said.

And let him who is without sin throw the first stone. Such a shame. last I heard non-violence meant not killing, bill. Makes me wonder what fearful spot jesse pokes in soul? Revenge is always a ligitimate role of government?! Since when? Both vulgar and discusting, thought you were a human, guess I was wrong! When Bill, and who will decide the person and reason for that revenge? You or Me or who? Christ? How much blood is enough?

Yeah, like Jesus meant that stone thing to apply to legal systems.. and later did nothing to oppose capital punishment. Can you imagine a world with no judgement? The real point is, this life, whether its 10 years or 110, is incredibly short. If Tookie redeemed himself in his time here, good for him. Man's justice is small-time compared to God's, if you believe in all that, which I do. If not, then of course I can see someone's concern that we have exterminated a rehabilitated individual. All a matter of perspective.

On a lighter note:
http://www.google.com/search?q=racist+media+whore
This term seems to be used mostly be conservatives. Go figure?

Yes, Glen, because my opinions differ from yours, I should no longer be considered human. So what part of Germany did your family happen to grow up in during World War II?

Render unto Caesar that which is... Oh, nevermind.

"Man's justice is small-time compared to God's." The understatement of all-time. Thanks for posting it, Chris.

Oh I get it! we are all proud or is it boastful! Look god ,look at me see how well i can kill. Oh yes I am doing it for your honor and glory. Only someone with a cold heart can take... pleasure in the death of another. I am sorry.
That does not make tookies crimes any less criminal, barbaric, or muderous. Will the continued letting of blood bring any of those souls back. Will vengence ever spill enough blood?
I guess I must have been sleeping when they were reading those verses out of the .....bible? paying taxes is now permission to enjoy killing? some great logic there.

Where was the pleasure behind ANY of my posts, sir? Please point me towards it. I don't remember feeeling any. Maybe it's because I'm not human, though. I'm not sure... You've given me much to think about. I'll have to discuss it with my wife. I'm sure she'll be surprised.

According to a) the facts of the case and b) our judicial system, the execution of Mr. Williams was lawful.

Like I said earlier, if you want to change the laws, fight to change them. I will support you in your quest to speak and act your conscience.

Bill, I believe that the phrase racist media whore works best as a link.

I have to agree.

Please ask your wife (and I hope you also) to forgive me. I did not wish to single you out as not human, rather the execution via the state of another is inhumane! Bill, given the hold corp. america has on the political system, do you think the green party has a chance to influence the law? Not today, I only hope we are not so far gone in the near future that all hope is not lost. My conscience screams at me, I can only hope I am not alone. If a law exsists does that make it alright? Does the national thirst for blood seem normal to anyone? Since when is killing right? It's ok if the state does it in my name, but wrong if I do it? A measure of good fortune vicariosly for me? Why? Where is the disconnect? Who decided?

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Taken as justification for the crusades, the spanish inquisition, it led to the reformation of luther and lets not forget slavery. That whole chapter in romans spoke to being to concecrated of god and the christian life. The context you would present it in was directed at taxes and revenue, the warning was that failure was subject the state using force to collect. the 12th chapter just prior says in verse 17,18, and 19 something to the effect of repay evil with good, feed your enemies, give them drink....
that whole chapter in romans is cause for thought, isn't it. Of course the righteousness of Rome( remember nero?) really worked out well for paul. I guess because paul was put to death, that justifies ...what? Every place I read in the gospels, suggests that killing and the violence that attends it are sure paths of evil. The state as we know it(republic) was a verey foriegn concept to jews during Agrippa's reign in palistine. This vengence and lust for blood condemns us all.

If blogging would help folks embrace the christ I read about in the scriptures, then all my pithy comments would be worth it. Of course, I can change, so I am sure the rest of our society can too. I cannot exclude myself from the lust for revenge. The catholic "we" applies. The "thall shalt nots"' did not have any exceptions listed in an appendix. I may not be reading the same scriptures as you though. About every instance of violence and bloodshed ends terribly for those accounts in the bible. The gospel is very clear and compelling of us to love. Nowhere that I've read does christ suggest that violence is the answer. All of the early fathers of the church wrote against it. The death penalty is murder no matter who carries it out. And yes, sadam is a murdering savage. In my heart of hearts revenge calls for blood. However, I know that to act on or give value to those urges makes me as guilty as him. It is no less wrong that 1 person or 100 people are killed. Isn't the position of the church that the death penalty is murder. Every denomination that I know of condemns the death penalty. The council of churches is a consistant voice against state supported murder. I believe that christians are called to be different, to be peacemakers at all times. Not just when it suits us or is easy.

Even the often-wacko 9th Circuit Court of Appeals could not find grounds to commute the sentence of Tookie Williams, let alone grant a new trial.

He committed the crimes, there was overwhelming evidence to convict him, he deserved the lethal injection. He was hardly a model inmate, read John Leo's recent syndicated column for details about his life in prison. No amount of good works make up for the fact that he never repented for his misdeeds, in spite of any amount of bookwriting he did.