The Terminator did his job. He refused clemency or mercy to convicted killer Stanley 'Tookie' Williams. Arnie has become that which he portrayed, an executioner. The super-hero Governor has wielded the mighty Sword of Death when he might have used the Shield of Mercy.
"The possible irregularities in Williams' trial have been thoroughly and carefully reviewed by the courts, and there is no reason to disturb the judicial decisions that uphold the jury's decisions that he is guilty of these four murders and should pay with his life."
Nice Arnie. This guy says he is innocent, there are some real questionable things about his trial and all you want to do is to keep the well oiled machinery death functioning. The mob has spoken, the die is cast, the victim selected, why rock the boat? Especially now that the War is a total failure and adequate global scapegoats have not been found. Since it's reinstatement in 1976, America has executed over 1,000 men and women. New DNA evidence indicates that a good percentage of those currently incarcerated on death row should not be there. Prosecutors and police who chose to manipulate evidence to secure a conviction don't just exist in other [bad] countries. But Arnie says better to go with the flow.
But far worse was that Arnie decided that he was not only a super-hero and governor, he was also a theologian.
"Stanley Williams insists he is innocent, and that he will not and should not apologize or otherwise atone for the murders of the four victims in this case," the governor wrote.
"Without an apology and atonement for these senseless and brutal killings, there can be no redemption."
Well, brother now you've stepped onto my turf. I'm not an actor nor am I a politician but I have spent my adult life studing theology. So since you have chosen to make of Tookie a theological example, let me ask you a question: when did you decide that redemption needed 'an apology and atonement?' Did you learn that in church? Do you know that you parrot the words, not of Jesus or of God, but of the 'liar and murderer (executioner)' who is from the beginning?
Here's the way it is Arnie: Your theory of the atonement is exquisitely legal and explicitly so, you, sir, are Anselmian. No, that's neither a disease or a drug you bulk up on, it's a distorted theological position out of step with the New Testament, Jesus and the Gospel. So, if by any chance you believe you did the right/righteous thing by denying clemency to Tookie, think again. Jesus said that mercy is better than sacrifice. Guess they didn't teach you that one.
Once again, religious fundamentalism and super-hero dualism converge to produce justification for violence. Sick stuff and really sick theology.
Michael
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