A Tale of Two Killers!

Stanley "Tookie" Williams was a founder of the "Crips" who helped promote the gang lifestyle that led to widespread violence and death throughout Southern California in the early 70’s. He was convicted of killing 4 people in 1979, although he maintained that he did not commit the crimes. Witnesses, after striking plea deals, testified that he laughed as he pulled the trigger.

George W. Bush is the leader of a neoconservative movement that has promoted preemptive war leading to the death of over 2,100 U.S. troops and over 30,000 Iraqi civilians. His rationale for starting the war – a supposed connection between the 9/11 terrorists and Saddam Hussein - has been proven to be false with evidence available at the time he chose to go to war. He has said that he would “make the same decision again!”

Both of these men chose to promote values that ended up costing the lives of many other human beings. Both of these men would deny being directly responsible for the death of others, and have refused to accept accountability for choices that have indirectly led to violence and bloodshed. However, it is here that the similarities end, and the differences between these two men become quite striking.

One of these men has rejected the violent and destructive lifestyle he originally chose. The other frequently chuckles as he talks about his decisions, makes jokes after discussing the body count of his war, and still can't think of anything he has done wrong.

One of these men has demonstrated the intent to avoid promoting the mistakes he has made in the past. The other has promised to "stay the course" even if it means continuing to make the same mistakes again and again.

One of these men has done good work for others, trying to lead young people from following a destructive lifestyle. The other is fighting to keep the ability to torture his enemies, and to conduct war without national debate or significant international support and cooperation.

One of these men was executed this morning as a murderer. The other will get to keep living in the White House and representing the values of the U.S. to the rest of the world!