Tookie Williams revisited

Well, it was no surprise that Governor Schwarzenegger had Tokie Williams executed. Schwarzenegger has experienced waning popularity including from within his own party. Ultimately, Tookie Williams was sacrificed on the altar of the Governor's ambition to hold on to the job concerning which he has already been ludicrously overpromoted.

The grotesque nature of this execution was illustrated by the length of time it took. The state chose to kill and then botched its evil actions .

Of some interest was Scwarzenegger's explanation of why he couldn't grant clemency. The main reason seemed to be that as Williams had not confessed to the crime he was unrepentant. this opens up practical concerns because evidence such as that obtained by the former Governor Ryan of Illinois suggests that innocence is no protection against being put on Death Row and the Williams case had plenty of grounds for concern (Williams has admitted doing many bad things). I guess all this means is that if you are wrongly convicted, to keep the likes of such towering intellects as Schwazenegger happy, one has to lie and make a false confession. I

However, there is also a theological issue. Schwarzenneger suggests that redemption requires apology and atonement which as Michael Hardin points out is a view that owes its being to Satan rather than Christ . Once more, the curse of sick religion becomes transparent as Schwarzenegger denies the possibilities of change in Williams having pleaded with Californians to accept the possibilities of change in himself after the accusations of sexual misconduct which were heard throughout his successful election campaign. Clearly what is good for the goose is not for the gander!

A part of me hopes that Schwarzenneger will be back making his B movies as that would get him out of any form of power although I can't say I found 'The Terminator' stiff remotely edifying.

Still, after seeing his conduct of this case, I can hardly take seriously the image of Schwarzenegger as a 'he man.' Instead, in his failure to do the right thing, I see him more as a 'shiver looking for a spine to crawl up.'