"I also didn't expect the Crips to end up ruining the lives of so many young people, especially young black men who have hurt other young black men. . . . So today I apologize to you all -- the children of America and South Africa -- who must cope every day with dangerous street gangs. I no longer participate in the so-called gangster lifestyle, and I deeply regret that I ever did."
"As a contribution to the struggle to end child-on-child brutality and black-on-black brutality, I have written the Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence children's book series."
This is the substance of his "apology" and his message. There isn't a word of sympathy for his victims, or other innocent victims of gang crime. His sympathy is for the gang members. He regrets their -- and his own -- self-destruction -- that is all.
I think Tookie is still the same racist he was when he murdered whites and Asians in cold blood, laughed about their suffering, and stated that he wanted to kill all whites.
Put another way, his "redemption" is really just self-pity -- extended to those he views as being like himself.
His victims were white (or Asian). Maybe they don't deserve an apology?
You are exactly right. Execellent post.
Incidentally, you probably know that today is the day that the Governor will listen to the clemency request of Tookie Williams. Each side will have a half-hour to present their best case regarding clemency.
It is probably worth reviewing just exactly what Tookie did to receive the death penalty.
In 1979 Tookie murdered four innocent, defenseless people with a shotgun at point blank range. During his first murder he ordered a convenient store clerk into the back room and told him to "lay face down on the floor you mother----er." While the clerk was begging for his life, Tookie walked over to this young man and shot him in the back at contact range with a shotgun. The rush of blood in the victims lungs and throat made a horrible gurgling sound and the man struggled to breathe. Tookie then fired another killing round into the man's back -- again at contact range. Later that evening while eating a hamburger Tookie bragged about the murder and laughed while recalling the agony, gurgling sounds and the desperate gasping of the victim.
Eleven days later Tookie broke into a small motel at 5:30 in the morning. When confronted by the owner he shot the man point blank with a shotgun. He broke into the owners bedroom and shot and killed his wife at point blank range with the same shotgun. When their daughter came running to their rescue he shot her in the face and brutally killed their daughter with the same powerful shotgun. Then Tookie calmly raided the cash register and drove away with a hundred dollars -- the only receipts for the evening.
Tookie was convicted of murder and sentenced to death for these wanton, brutal acts of murder. During the sentencing phase of his trial he looked over to the jury and mouthed "I will get everyone of you mother----ers."
Tookie is a savage, unrepentant murderer who refuses to acknowledge his crimes. He has not apologized for these crimes, sought the forgiveness of these victim's families or has shown any remorse at all for what he has done. Clemency should be categorily denied.
For those of you who can not grasp the horror of what Tookie has done and would be free to do again if he is granted clemency and set free again, like many of his supporters desire, here are the photographs of his victims -- after he murdered them. Warning they are very graphic.
http://www.capitalideasblog.com/
Well put, lady! This animal sold POISON to OUR BLACK CHILDREN to make himself rich. He killed people in cold blood. Regardless of what he may have done since then, he must answer for those crimes. The intellectuals and elites can go stuff themselves.