3.19.2009
Death Sentence @ 10:12 AM
The countdown starts the moment we are born.
Right now, all chain of events seems to lead me to news about death sentence.
I've taken up reading Prison Writings: My Life is my Sun Dance by Leonard Peltier, an American activist for the American Indian Movement, also currently serving 2 life sentences as prisoner #89637-132. The question of whether or not his sentence is rightful is beyond my judgment as even he says that his book is meant to educate, not garner sympathy.
And then there's the Austria incest case, in which Josef Fritzl, 73, is sentenced to a life in prison after being convicted of rape, incest, imprisonment, enslavement, etc. In summary, he drugged his daughter about a quarter of century ago, locked her up in the basement of the apartment house and repeatedly raped her, fathering 7 children. One of the children, a 19 year-old, saw daylight for the first time when she was taken to the hospital for necessary treatment.
Lastly, a photo of Charles Manson, flashed on my laptop, large and quite spine chilling. This picture of the 74 year old was taken recently and released to the public. Comments on the article indicate that despite nearly 40 years of imprisonment, the general sentiment against him has not abated.
I guess we are all born with the death sentence. As they say: there is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval. Well, they can't. That's prison life for you.
Labels: contemplation, news