Tyler's Turn Blog

Remember those wonderful deep-fried apple pies McDonald's used to make? Those were one of my favorite things when I was a kid -- better than any stupid Happy Meal toy. And the new, healthier version just doesn't cut it.

Well, I just discovered that KFC has a deep-fried apple pie almost identical to the old McDonald's variety. They're smaller than the old ones, but they're also two for a dollar. I was so happy when I discovered them on the menu, I grinned all afternoon Sunday.

I don't know enough to say whether Governor Schwarzenegger should have commuted Stanley "Tookie" Williams sentence to life in prison. (An NPR story this week said there's historical precedent for Governors commuting sentences based on a prisoner's rehabilitation, while Schwarzenegger said he wasn't convinced of Williams' redemption.) However, the Williams case demonstrates my main objection to the death penalty.

Once someone is executed, the hope of their redemption is ended, and there's no chance they'll ever add anything to society again. Imagine Tookie Williams had been executed quickly -- as used to happen in death penalty cases. He wouldn't have been able to write the books he published, or do the anti-violence work he did. Whether or not one finds great value in Williams' post-conviciton work, it certainly has more value than the complete nothingness that is now Williams' work.

Do we really believe it's our responsibility to place certain people permanently beyond redemption? Is there a value in killing someone that is not served by sentencing them to life in prison without the possibility of parole? And, even if there is, does that value outweigh the finality of execution?

Of course, my answer to all three of those questions is, "No." If you think you have a good reason to answer, "Yes," say so in the comments. (I'm turning them on for the first time with this post.) Of course, uncivil comments, ad homonym attacks, and the like will not be allowed. I don't believe in killing, but I do believe in deleting.