Violence against innocent people is wrong

[Pushed To The Left]

I oppose the death penalty due to the possibility of innocent people being executed, and I did sign a petition and send e-mail to urge that Williams get clemency. There has been some talk of possible riots in California in response to Williams' execution. Anybody who protests the execution by committing violence against innocent people deserves to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

[Maat]

1. I quite agree!

Thanks for the post.

We need to rid the world of the death penalty the proper way - through legislation.

[Poll_Blind]

2. "Anybody who protests the execution by committing violence against..."

"...innocent people deserves to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. "

That's what Tookie did and that's what he's facing tonight.

PB

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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

[Webster Green]

4. Having fun eh?

Lovely!

[Guaranteed]

6. That's really pretty gross.

I could have sworn that you were being sarcastic. But, I know that you're not.

[Poll_Blind]

7. I don't buy into the "Burn, Tookie, burn!!" rhetoric. It is dismal that..

...it has come to this- that he chose the path he did. I am a bit partial to the "Fuck you and die, Tookie, you murdering bastard!", though. After reading exactly what he did, I have no sympathy for him. I don't wish him any particular torture after he leaves this plane of existence: If there is a God, he will be punished. If there is not, oblivion or something weirder.

I just want that individual out of my society as the law decrees.

PB

[Kagemusha]

9. Ah, when they say DU'ers who are enthused about this,

they mean you...

Not a complaint. I sympathize with the anti-death penalty people but... I think Tookie lost a lot of potential support from reasonable people when he asked for clemency while maintaining his innocence. It's like, not only must we be anti-death penalty, but we must accept that Tookie is a saint as well, a black Gandi who changed after being framed for crimes he did not commit. That rubs some people the wrong way. It rubs me the wrong way.

[mondo joe]

5. How do you feel about locking up innocent people for life?

[Pushed To The Left]

8. I oppose that too

The difference is that if somebody is wrongfully convicted and gets a life term, he or she can be released if and when the mistake is discovered. If there is a wrongful execution, the mistake can not be reversed.

[mondo joe]

10. Fair point. Do you believe in Williams' innocennce?

[Pushed To The Left]

11. I wasn't 100% sure about his guilt

Even if he did commit those crimes, I would rather have Williams get a life sentence with no parole than have an innocent person get executed.