L.A. debates governor's decision as execution nears

Mercury News ^ | Dec. 12, 2005 | Patrick May

[indcons]

LOS ANGELES - As word spread Monday afternoon that Gov. Schwarzenegger had turned down Stanley Tookie Williams' last-ditch bid for clemency, reaction on the streets where Williams launched the Crips gang 35 years ago was muted.

Some residents were saddened by the news, saying the governor had missed a golden opportunity to show true compassion hours before Williams' scheduled execution just past midnight. Others, though, felt anything but compassion for the man whose legacy in south central Los Angeles stills seems like nothing but gang colors, bullets and blood.

[indcons]

John Johnson, another social worker downtown whose clients include former gang members, put it this way: ``Every time a young black male or female dies from gang violence, an intelligent person would see that the guy who started this gang to begin with should be held responsible for his actions.''

[TexasCajun]

I'll be watching cable news to see if the Blacks burn down their neighborhoods tonight in protest.

Then they could apply to FEMA for free stuff.

[San Jacinto]

I don't see how Arnold can expect to hold on to the Crips' vote now.

[stm]

"true compassion"?

How much compassion did the Tookster show towards his victims?

Burn, baby, burn

[indcons]

LOL....

[MEG33]

Quote``Homebody Industries,'' said its founder, ``stands for redemption and second chances. If you execute him, you execute that, too.''

PIFFLE

[hsalaw]

"``There is a fate worse than death and that's the decision to execute a human being,'' said the Rev. Greg Boyle"

Get a grip, Reverand. Arnold didn't make the decision "to execute a human being"; the entire justice system, from trial court to Supreme Court, established by the people of California made that decision. Arnold did the right thing by not setting it aside.

[BurbankKarl]

Now now...there really is a smaller number of blacks compared to 1992. If they burn outside of their area, MS-13 will fire on them.

[GoforBroke]

How much compassion did the Tookster show towards his victims?

I was going to say the same thing!

[45Auto]

If you can't do the time, don't do the crime"

[greccogirl]

What is truly sad, is that Tookie Williams, murderer extrordinare, will receive a relatively painless go to sleep death.

Match that with how we starved to death an innocent person (Schavio).

[LOC1]

Toot, Toot, Tookie, Goodbye !

[indcons]

That's what I was thinking too....they should have brought Ol' Sparky out of retirement for this character.

[GreenHornet]

Just tell the libs that Tookie isn't being executed - he's being aborted. Then they'll have no problem with it.

[hophead]

"Tookie isn't being executed - he's being aborted."

Retro-active abortion.

[CAWats]

I don't see how Arnold can expect to hold on to the Crips' vote now.

Priceless.

[Alia]

Some residents were saddened by the news, saying the governor had missed a golden opportunity to show true compassion hours before Williams' scheduled execution just past midnight. Others, though, felt anything but compassion for the man whose legacy in south central Los Angeles stills seems like nothing but gang colors, bullets and blood.

Some know, they "imagine", they walk a mile in the moccassins of those who cared for those murdered by Tookie (or the gangs) - their own brutal murder of themself or someone they care for, could be next. That is what "compassion" means.

Some, however can "never" imagine such a reality for themselves or others. And seem so shocked when indeed it does happen to them. This is the tragedy, IMHO.

[Publius]

This reminds me of the uproar over the Caryl Chessman execution 40-odd years ago. In the end he breathed hydrogen cyanide.

[CAWats]

http://microfurry.250free.com/countdown.html

Countdown clock.

[CAWats]

This reminds me of the uproar over the Caryl Chessman execution 40-odd years ago. In the end he breathed hydrogen cyanide.


Did they think he was innocent?