Arnold Blows It Big Time, Again

There can be little doubt of two truths now:

1. The WWII generation was misinformed when it over-stressed consistency as a virtue
2. CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will wait until the last moment to make the worst possible decision

Yesterday, the last possible time to grant executive clemency, he earned his name the Terminator by turning Stanley "Tookie" Williams down. His six-page order is here.

Many, with the clear exceptions of the prosecutors and victims' families, doubt Tookie's guilt in the murders of which he was convicted. Yet, few can doubt that he has been rehabilitated, is a different man than the one who organized the Crips gang, and is a strong anti-gang-violence voice.

There is no question that over two decades ago, he was a violent gang leader and an anti-social threat to the public. Yet the crimes for which he is condemned to murder by the state are very questionable.

Arnold isn't buying any of it. As his order to proceed with the execution (which occurred at 3:35 a.m. EST) concludes:

Is Williams' redemption complete and sincere, or is it just a hollow promise? Stanley Williams insists he is innocent, and that he will not and should not apologize or otherwise atone for the murders of the four victims in this case. Without an apology and atonement for these senseless and brutal killings there can be no redemption. In this case, the one thing that would be the clearest indication of complete remorse and full redemption is the one thing Williams will not do.

Clemency decisions are always difficult, and this one is no exception. After reviewing and weighing the showing Williams has made in support of his clemency request, there is nothing that compels me to nullify the jury's decision of guilt and sentence and the many court decisoins during the lat 24 years upholding the jury's decision with a grant of clemency.

This is the reasoning that brought you the Salem witch trials and Spanish Inquisition. Confess and beg for mercy, even if you are innocent, and we just might let you live...or not.

It's also along the line of Arnold's veto of the same-sex marriage bill his legislature passed. He hides here too behind the courts. He is a cowardly non-leader.

Whether it is an individual or a class of citizens, Schwarzenegger lacks compassion, lacks vision, and lacks a sense of the public weal.

He does not understand the meaning of clemency. He does not understand the power he could use for good. He must have been raised by wolverines.