Two quick notes -- UPDATED

Like most finals weeks, it's an extremely busy time and I have very little time to post.  I may get something up later today --or not.

Two quick notes:

My wife and I saw Syriana on Saturday night, easily the best film I've seen this season.  (Given that our pace of movie-going always picks up in January and February, that may change.)  I like a film that makes the assumption that the audience is reasonably intelligent and can follow a plot!  I don't know the whole story behind Participant Productions, but I'm deeply impressed that they've turned out three major films (along with three major social-justice campaigns) in the space of just over a month.  North Country, Good Night and Good Luck, and Syriana are all major awards contenders -- and all have serious, thoughtful, political messages.  I'm sorry that North Country has struggled, but am happy that the other two have had both splendid reviews and excellent box office.

Also, the governor has not yet annouced his decision on clemency for Stanley "Tookie" WIlliams."  I remain prayerful, but if I look at the issue dispassionately, cannot imagine why granting clemency would be a "smart" move for Schwarzenegger.  He can announce today he's agonized all weekend, and still allow the execution to go ahead.  It won't assuage anti-death penalty advocates, but I suspect our numbers are small,  Granting clemency would further damage his already weakened relationship with his conservative base, and I don't think he can risk that.  I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it.

UPDATE:  Clemency denied.  I have a little ritual that I go through whenever California executes someone.  I play the Kathleen Battle version of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands".  I'm praying for Stanley Williams, his victims, and all those who are involved in tonight's execution.  I am also asking, as I always need to around executions, for the strength to be kind and charitable today and tomorrow towards those who support capital punishment.  The urge to be vicious is strong in me, but I will not surrender to that temptation.

Comments

[Snowe]

Hugo--I'd like to see you blog about Cory Maye, a man on death row in MS for shooting a police officer who raided his home, in the middle of the night, without a proper warrant. I think that he really IS innocent, but it hasn't gotten much attention outside of the blogosphere. We need to to get people writing to Gov. Barbour!

[Kevin T. Keith]

I have a little ritual that I go through whenever California executes someone.

Are you familiar with The Living Theater? They have a play called "Not in My Name" which they stage in Times Square, New York, every night there is a scheduled execution somewhere in the US. They have trained others to perform it elsewhere. The play comments on the nature of state-sponsored execution and the endlessness of vengeance; at one point the actors each approach an audience member and vow: "I give you my word that I will never kill you. Will you promise me the same?"

[Hugo]

Thanks, Snowe, for the suggestion -- I'll read more about it.

Kevin, I'm not familiar -- but the premise sounds intriguing, and if done right, moving.

[Xrlq]

I'd recommend reading the clemency denial in full. It doesn't sound all that politically calculated to me; it's just a summary of what a crummy candidate for clemency Williams really is. If the Governor felt otherwise, I have little doubt he would have granted clemency. Politically, his goose appears to be cooked anyway, so why not? It's not as though he has no backup career if this politics thing doesn't work out.

[Chris T.]

I absolutely loved Good Night, and Good Luck and I'm planning to see Syriana tonight. You thought Syriana was better? That bodes well for the evening. :-)