I'd kill to win a Nobel Peace Prize

Several of Hollywood's leading lights including Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg and Russell Crowe are appealing to California Governor Arnold Schwarenegger to grant clemency to former LA Cripps leader Stanley "Tookie" Williams, scheduled to be executed on December 13 by lethal injection for his role in the murder of four people over the course of two robberies in the late '70s.

Williams, who is serving his time at the notorious San Quentin prison, has always maintained his innocence in these crimes. Allegations of racism abound concerning the details of his original trial, more of which you can read about here.

During his time on death row, Williams seems to have turned the corner. He has written several children's books educating children about the dangers of gang life, even getting nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize five times for his efforts.

Those who are arguing for clemency are not limited to the entertainment community. Socialist Worker, Democracy Now! and the ACLU are also involved.

Not suprisingly, the headline banner on the "Save Tookie" website (linked above) pleads with the Governor to "do the right thing for the children". (In fact, Williams is seen as being responsible for saving the lives of over 150,000 kids for his anti-gang efforts, according to the fact sheet on the website.)

Now, assuming Williams did indeed carry out those heinous crimes, I think that Arnold is in a tight spot here. While I personally am unequivocally opposed to capital punishment, I think that a message needs to be sent to youth that if you are considering a life of crime - and let's face it, that's what gang life is - there will be consequences. Moreover, what kind of precedent would Arnold be setting if he commutes the sentence, thereby signalling that the law doesn't always apply if the state reeeeeaaaaaally doesn't want it to?

I'm not sure how this should be handled, but what has to be kept in mind is that Williams needs to be made an example of. It has to be clear that if you engage in crime, the justice system will make you face consequences for your actions. It is also essential that the law be seen as having integrity and is to be respected.

I will be following the Governor's decision with interest over the coming days and weeks.

(And I lifted the witty title for this post from one of the "Morning Smiles" this week in the Globe and Mail. Let the record state that the Road Hammer rejects plagiarism in all its forms!)