State as Murderer

The first recorded history of an execution in the British Colonies (no United States of America) was in 1608 for treason. Hi name was Captain George Kendall and it seems there was no clear cut evidence that he actually committed a crime. REF We will never know now.

How many other have been murdered by the state who were innocent? We will never know now. But, you say, that doesn’t happen very often. Well there are at least 15 known cases since 1992. REF Can we justify even one?

That is the problem with state sanctioned murder. There is no turning back. Once a person is dead there is nothing more that can be done. Clearing his/her name notwithstanding. Although important, it is of little value to the family of a wrongly accused and murdered loved one.

Now before you begin to admonish me for having sympathy for the criminal, just stop. I think criminals should be punished, period. But death is only punishment for the family of the criminal not the criminal. I want him/her punished. I want them to live in humane but minimal circumstances. I want him/her to work every day, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and earn minimum wage which will go to support his/her sustenance. I want him/her to have to think about what happened and live with the knowledge that he is being punished. Death is the end and therefore not a punishment.

Some will say he gets his punishment in hell, but...how many criminals find jesus on death row? Most of them. So now, if you buy that crap, he is going to heaven where he will spend eternity with his victims! Oh my god, how can that be just?

State murder is murder. It has nothing to do with punishment and everything to do with revenge and states should not be in the revenge business. It doesn’t deter crime. REF  Long sentences in minimal conditions in maximum security facilities does. Making criminals support themselves will work.

It is time to get the state out of the murder business.

Steve Jobs is gone

I use a PC with Windows. I don't own a Mac, and IPad or an IPhone but I like the philosophy of the man who made them famous.


"No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. ... Stay hungry. Stay foolish."

----Steve Jobs



He wisdom will live forever.

Osama is dead

I know this is old news now but I have needed a few days to process this whole mess. I've listened to the news and read the newsfeeds, scanned the blogs and thought hard about it. I didn't know how I felt.

People in my own family were celebrating and asking for proof at the same time. I remained quiet. I didn't know how I felt.

I'm still not sure. Should I be glad that a person is dead, even as bad a person as the leader of America's number one enemy in the War on Terror? I don't know, it doesn't feel right. I don't believe the death penalty is real punishment for the offender. I think the family and those left behind suffer much more than the offender.

So now, we are rid of Osama but are we any safer? Is it logical that his followers will fold up their tents and go home? Does anyone think we have won the war? Are our troops coming home now? My son-in-law just left for Iraq...doesn't sound like they are coming home to me.

What bothers me most about this whole affair is the celebration of someone's death. I know he was responsible for some terrible things but are we any better that those who celebrated the destruction of the Twin Towers when we stoop to their level? I don't think so.

Life Before Death II

I went to see my brother yesterday. He lives about an hour and a half away. I had not actually visited him since my sister died 3 years ago.

My middle daughter was with me and we had a nice visit with my brother, his wife and various other family members.

My bro is so kind hearted that even when he has not worked in a year and has only minimal income, his house is open to the family bums. He has two 30 something nephews living with him...not working...not contributing to the troubled household but selfishly mooching off a dying man. I asked him why; he really had no answer. I didn't pursue it as it seemed rather pointless but it makes me wonder.

I can't say my brother looked well; he didn't. He is 6'3'' and he now weighs 148 lbs. He says he will lose more weight if he decides to continue with radiation and chemo. I don't think he wants to go through it again. He seems to be ready to end all this pain and suffering. But even with all the pain, he was upbeat. He said his affairs are in order and he has taken care of things so his wife can go on living in their home. My sister-in-law said she isn't worried because she knows god will take care of her.

How am I? I don't know. I question my feelings everyday. I love my brother but the fact that he is dying has not shattered my life. It makes me wonder about my own health, since I am older than all but one of my siblings who have died. It makes me think about our growing up years..not all happy times, but we have not been close for a long time.

Am I cold-hearted? I hope not.