December 25, 2012

Dear Sis~

What a treat it was to visit with you on Christmas Day!  My rare visits are my only real highlights of this otherwise spare existence, the only time - however briefly - I can put prison behind me, interact with free world people on an equal footing, almost as if I am free, sitting in a cafe discussing current events.  Now I'm back in my cell where the Christ Spirit seems very far removed, hugging tight today's memories of our visit...

Last night on PBS I watched a great Christmas Special by Rod Stewart, Merry Christmas Baby, where he sang many of the classic Christmas songs, along with a few musical guests (like Ceelo Green), using a big band (lots of strings and horns) of fine musicians.  I wouldn't normally associate Rod Stewart with Christmas songs, but he's the epitome of a real pro.  The production values were top notch and Rod pulled it off with class and panache.  By the way, on the subject of music, there's a new movie musical version of Les Misérables with Hugh Jackman and Russel Crowe which is getting good reviews.  I read the book and saw an old version of the movie when I was a kid and I never forgot it; that's gotta be one of the best tales ever written, and besides being great entertainment it teaches some serious life lessons about the meaning of true justice, and the importance of compassion, understanding and forgiveness (not to mention common sense) when attempting to weigh a person's worth in the balance...

Well, you know that the execution took place as scheduled on December 11th,  and I suspect Gov. Scott will sign another death warrant as soon as the new year gets ringed in (last year he signed his first warrant of 2012 on January 2nd). What a great way to start off your new year, huh?  Deciding who to put to death.  It's not something I could (or would) do, I know that...

On the subject of clemency, which we touched on during our visit, the last time a Florida governor granted clemency to anyone on death row was in 1983 or 1984.  Nowadays very few governors have the political courage to grant clemency, to spare a life, despite the fact that there's no shortage of prisoners on the row who merit clemency.  Ironically, history shows that in the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's, governors - even in the deep south - freely exercised their powers of executive grace and granted clemency on a regular basis, without fear of being labeled "soft on crime".  But nowadays most governors are scared to death to show mercy, afraid to be labeled soft on crime.  Easier to just kill people off than to be merciful and risk any political kickback...

Ok, Sis, that's enough for now.  It's time for me to hit the hay and get a good night's sleep.  Be good and stay out of mischief!

Love, 
  Bill