← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Sertorius
Thread ID: 19456 | Posts: 8 | Started: 2005-08-06
2005-08-06 00:03 | User Profile
[url]http://www.bakersfield.com/state_wire/story/5590476p-5564830c.html[/url] Gang founder on death row gets presidential award for good deeds By KIM CURTIS, Associated Press Writer
Posted: Thursday August 4th, 2005, 3:25 PM Last Updated: Thursday August 4th, 2005, 3:25 PM
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Convicted murderer Stanley "Tookie" Williams has received an award for his good deeds on death row, complete with a letter from President Bush praising the notorious gang founder for demonstrating "the outstanding character of America."
Williams, co-founder of the notorious Crips street gang, has been an anti-gang activist during his many years on death row at San Quentin State Prison, where he was sent after being convicted in 1981 for killing four people. He's authored 10 books, mostly warning young people to stay away from gangs.
The President's Call to Service Award arrived as Williams, 53, continues his final fight for clemency. His case is now being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
[B]It was doubtful that the president, who oversaw 152 executions during his six years as Texas governor, knew that Williams had received a congratulatory letter bearing his signature.[/B]
More than 267,000 people have received the award, which costs $1 and includes a certificate of achievement and commendation letters from the president and former Sens. Bob Dole and John Glenn, honorary co-chairs of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.
Sandy Scott, a spokesman for the council, refused to address the fact that the award was given to a condemned killer. After nearly three days of attempts by The Associated Press to get a comment, Scott e-mailed a response saying the awards are approved by nominating organizations, not the council.
Williams was nominated for the award by William A. Harrison of West Monroe, La. a minister with The Old Catholic Orthodox Church.
"People can be redeemed. It doesn't matter where you come from," Harrison said. "You may be on death row, but to be able to lend something that people can say, 'This has inspired me to change my life."
Barbara Becnel, Williams' spokeswoman and co-author, said she believes he is the first death row inmate to receive the service award created in 2003 to honor Americans who inspire volunteerism.
One of Williams' books, 1998's "Life in Prison," led to the Internet Project for Street Peace, an afterschool violence prevention program.
In 1999, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, former African National Congress Women's League president, visited Williams at San Quentin because she was inspired by the Internet project.
In April, Williams' story was portrayed in an award-winning film starring Jamie Foxx called "Redemption: The Stan 'Tookie' Williams Story." Becnel said Williams has received tens of thousands of e-mails - many from young gang members who said his life story helped them turn their lives around.
2005-08-06 00:21 | User Profile
Welcome to the new America. :angry:
2005-08-06 00:47 | User Profile
Maybe Bush thinks "Tookie" is the ticket to increase the Stupid Party's share of the black vote. [IMG]http://www.tookie.com/images/Blue%20Rage,%20Black%20Redemption%20cover%202.jpg[/IMG] Then again, maybe Bush wishes to recognizes a fellow criminal. [url]http://www.tookie.com/[/url]
2005-08-06 01:35 | User Profile
Maybe Bush thinks "Tookie" is the ticket to increase the Stupid Party's share of the black vote.
I don't find an "OutReach" program for white Southerners on the Republicrat's website.
South Carolina Repubs had an "OutReach" program for negroes (practising my Spicish).
2005-08-06 01:50 | User Profile
[QUOTE]Convicted murderer Stanley "Tookie" Williams has received an award for his good deeds on death row[/QUOTE]
I'd be happy to nominate him for another award (posthumously) as soon as he completes his current sentence.
2005-08-06 05:53 | User Profile
[QUOTE]complete with a letter from President Bush praising the notorious gang founder for demonstrating "the outstanding character of America." [/QUOTE] He praises the gang-banger, and the minutemen are vigilantes. As for a worthless nigger like this demonstrating the outstanding character of America, considering what this country has become, that statement may fit.
2005-08-07 01:07 | User Profile
The Schwarzenneger pose is not at all flattering, despite ol' Rastus' respectable level of dieselness. What's with the zipper-eyes though? Maybe he should call himself Mao Mao X.
2005-08-07 18:30 | User Profile
[QUOTE=John Graziano] Maybe he should call himself Mao Mao X.[/QUOTE] Crisp. :lol: