Kill Tookie

Some would argue that there are very good reasons for it - aside from it, you know, being the law.

Part of what troubles me about this issue is how we marginalize the principles behind our Constitution with all this last minute hand wringing. I realize it is a state issue. California constitutionally passed a law which has survived judicial scrutiny. When we jump in at the last minute based upon little more than emotion, we undermine the very principle of democratic government itself.

If California doesn't want to apply the death penalty - fine. Make it the damn law. But stop circumventing the law and, in essence, justice, every time a bunch of hand wringing liberals start having second thoughts. They lost the issue in an election. Small D democratic government doesn't win by giving one group another bite at the apple now.

Here's the link from above - you should consider reading it all.

Comments

[Hobo]

Just read one of the news articles regarding the case reviews by one of the California Supreme Court Justices and he states they (the Justices) are "tiring of routine reviews of cases that have been heard and decided."

[chrys]

I see the death penalty as an elective. Since California elected to use the death penalty - again this is the law. Problem - the victims did not have 26 years to write children's books and to clean up their act or have "friendlies" nominate them for "Peace Prize." - did you see how easy this is! Who knows what Tookie's victims may have accomplished! Starting to think - how many of the prisoners on death row die of natural causes before their penalty is carried out! This game playing is out of line and the wait, court expense, etc. is way out of line.

[splashtc]

How can you undo the crypts and all the crimes committed by them which tookie would still be involved with had he not been caught! He is no hero.

[caseyschenkofsky]

http://www.cjpf.org/clemency/California.html
"Once the formal application is received, the Governor refers it to the Board of Prison Terms (BPT). BPT will conduct an investigation to determine whether the applicant meets the standards set forth in California Penal Code section 4852.05, which states, "During the period of rehabilitation the person shall live an honest and upright life, shall conduct himself or herself with sobriety and industry, shall exhibit a good moral character, and shall conform to and obey the laws of the land."

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cap12dec12,1,321765.column?coll=la-utilities-politics
"Schwarzenegger probably isn't consciously pondering the political ramifications of his decision, but he is aware of public support for the death penalty. The last survey by the Field Poll on capital punishment, in March 2004, found that 68% of California voters favored it. That included 54% of Democrats and 87% of Republicans.

Historically, Californians' support for the death penalty has ebbed and flowed. In 1956, 49% favored it; in 1971, 58%; in 1985, 83%; in 1997, 74%. Same poll question, different events in the news."

"One result of dragging out his decision — if Schwarzenegger does deny clemency — is that there'll be less time for Williams' attorneys to file last-ditch court motions seeking a stay of execution."

[Justice4All]

I bet Tookies victims would have liked to have this much time buying before they were so viciously murdered..Who does the system work for?
Arnold needs to stand behind the laws of his state, or you will become a mockery of them, BTW
90% of CA residents say to go forward with the execution.

We all are given a birth rite of doing right or wrong. Some chose the wrong and there is a price to be paid.

[Magnolia]

Anyone that evokes a riot response from folks that don't like the law needs to die. I hate being afraid of what will happen if Tookie supporters don't get their way.Sure wish his victims had equal or more press...oh,wait...they're dead..

[teresa]

I hope Arnold isn't going to be a GIRLY MAN.

[Dan is the Man]

If Tookie had not been caught, I am sure he would not be writing childrens books in his spare time. And Dan is right. Let us have it in writing if California does not want to enforce the death penalty. If you let one criminal avoid the death penalty, then how many other death row inmates do you have to allow clemency for. I am sure there are hundreds of murders out there who would like to change their life for about 15 years if they can avoid getting death. I am sure that there are many who have already "changed" their lives. Even though these murderers have time to make a change of heart, think about the people that they have killed. They were not given a choice to change their lives. Instead, it was the cold blooded murderers who made that choice for them. And now those murderers have been caught, and they are afraid that someone is going to make that same fateful decision for them.

[Dan is the Man]

I heard on a news channel last night about how that if he is killed, then it would send the wrong message to troubled gang members. That even though they are involved in bad things, that there is no hope for them.
I think it sends an even clearer message to obey the law, or be punished by it.
But then again, in today's terms, it seems like there is no written law. We just make it up as we go, depending on the circumstances. Like this one.

[jolari]

I agree--It is the law. He has been given the death penalty & that should stand. I heard one of the commments was that he isn't the same person he was in 1979. Gee--what a shock. I'm not either. But at least I have had the time to make any changes in my life since then, as had Tookie, his victims were robbed of this.
He has been convicted, he has been sentenced, no stay.

[Laurie K.]

Since Mr. Williams has never acknowledged his crimes, much less asked forgiveness for them, nor assisted the police in breaking up the gang he gave us (wouldn't want to teach the kids "to snitch", after all), I question is "redemption." In the end, this is between Tookie and God -- what I think is of no consequence. In a state where it is endorsed by the majority, and where the law has been upheld many times, and in a case as clear cut as this one, justice would seem to dictate clearly that the law be upheld.

[Sun]

Arnold Schwarzenegger has denied clemency for Tookie Williams.

[salada]

Folks if Tookie had not committed the crimes he committed, he would not be alive today. He would have been killed on the streets or from drugs or some other way. Its the way the gangs work. There aint no retirement or getting out. The crips are really bad dudes, so are the bloods for that matter. The state of California got Tookie off the streets but as long as he is alive he is a crip. Book, movies he may even be on his knees praying but he still killed those 4 people in cold blood and the gang he founded is responsible for many other violent crimes. Yes people CAN change, but the time for change is not after the crime or during the punishment.

[beautifulatrocities]

Capital crimes are referred to in the 5th Amendment, therefore a state can't outlaw them any more than it can outlaw guns.

[beautifulatrocities]

Or the Supreme Court, for that matter

[Bob]

Burn Baby Burn. Have you executed a felon today?

[k.jeanne]

The crips are really bad dudes, so are the bloods for that matter. The state of California got Tookie off the streets but as long as he is alive he is a crip.
Posted by: salada | Dec 12, 2005 4:49:27 PM

On Fox tonight a reporter said that the guards at SQ have said he is as tough and mean (still) as they come.

[Big Blu]

he aint none of those thingz, hez a nigga dat dint wanna put up wid d bullshit most peoplez have to, fed up of bein hungry and penniless he said fuck it and fought back, id do the same. RIP tookie, keep crippin cuzz