I have lived in prison for a long time now and I’ve met a lot of men who were motivated to violence just like me. And without exception, every one of them was deeply involved in pornography, without a question, deeply influenced and consumed by an addiction to pornography.
-Ted Bundy interview shortly before execution
(originally posted 01Aug2004 3:17 PM)
ReplyDeletePerhaps a fruit of this thread thrown out long ago . . .
Of all people, Ted Bundy is certainly a poster-child for capital punishment and yet I still mourned him silently in my prayers that night.
I was struck by a documentary broadcast on NBC about the events surrounding the blanket commutation granted by outgoing Illinois Gov. George Ryan on January 11, 2003. It occurred to me only then how blindly this capital punishment debate was owned by my generation reaching consensus in 1981. It seemed like such an academic discussion about a long-established tradition of our life.
Placed before Ryan was the haunting critical power that rested in his hands for just a few more days. Ryan expresses his “frustrations and deep concerns about both the administration and the penalty of death.”
Quoting Justice Harry Blackmun on capital punishment legislation: “The legislature couldn't reform it. Lawmakers won't repeal it. But I will not stand for it. I must act.”
“Our capital system is haunted by the demon of error, error in determining guilt, and error in determining who among the guilty deserves to die. Because of all of these reasons today I am commuting the sentences of all death row inmates.”
Acknowledging his decision would “draw ridicule, scorn and anger from many” who oppose it, Ryan asserted his leadership: “They will say I am usurping the decisions of judges and juries and state legislators. But as I have said, the people of our state have vested in me to act in the interest of justice. Even if the exercise of my power becomes my burden I will bear it.”
Throughout Ryan expressed the need to provide more to victim’s families than a “hope of revenge.” Quoting Abraham Lincoln he concluded, "I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.”
With the help of God that will show true.
Something that caught my eye today on a related subject: http://www.bing.com/news/search?q=Jon+Venables&form=msnpop
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