To: Bill who wrote (462 ) 7/19/2000 10:20:39 PM From: markaerwin Read Replies (1) | Respond to I think it was the Indiana or Illinios Gov that just recently placed a hold on any further executions due to the fact that most of the prisoners on death row in his state were, in fact, exonerated due to new DNA evidence. Now, I'm a proud Texan, but I'm humble enough to realize that given the great number of people that we have executed, at least some of them are probably innocent of the crime. It's possible that they are all, in fact guilty, but I find it unlikely. Do you REALLY believe ALL of them are guilty? Think about it. Really, how wild IS that statement? I think it's pretty out there. It's our old, dark friend, denial - IMO. What is really disturbing is the certainty statement itself, however, and the willingness of people to accept it. I do not appreciate speaking to obvious unknowns as if there is knowledge, for a fact, of the truth. Although it may be difficult for politicians to be humble, I expect it of them like I expect it from anyone else. Just as in the case of abortion, I may believe that life begins at conception (which I do), but I don't KNOW for sure, and since I don't know, I'm not shoving it down anyone's throat. I'll do my part by encouraging adoption (I'm adopted myself), but I ain't gonna tell someone what they haveta do cause I don't know - and neither does anyone else. I'll leave that decision to the people closest to the situation (in my view, the mother _and_ the father). I can't imagine the pain of such a decision - but I expect it is grueling and nightmarish. People that pretend to know "for sure" are fooling themselves, but they ain't foolin me. I'm old enough to know neither I nor they know everything. It makes for a comfortable lullaby for children - but we aren't children.
