Governor denies clemency for ex-gang leader

[TwistedGypsy]

Originally Posted by The Tower

You're missing the point. No one is saying that Williams is a victim. The point is that the death penalty is barbaric and is not justifiable punishment for crime.

He really suffered didn't he?
Brit

[The Tower]

Originally Posted by TwistedGypsy

He really suffered didn't he?

You're right. They should have tortured him to death. But, on second thought, instead of the goal being to kill him, we should set up torture camps and just torture people for their crimes. That's a civilized society in action. Become the criminal. Lower yourself to their level. Commit the atrocities they commit. All in the name of revenge. It's a great way to live.

[David]

Originally Posted by The Tower

You're right. They should have tortured him to death. But, on second thought, instead of the goal being to kill him, we should set up torture camps and just torture people for their crimes. That's a civilized society in action. Become the criminal. Lower yourself to their level. Commit the atrocities they commit. All in the name of revenge. It's a great way to live.

Yeats foresaw such a civilization in "The Second Coming":

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all convictions, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Also, the Stevie reference of course is Taylor Caldwell's "Ceremony of the Innocent," Stevie's favorite novel.