Who is afraid of the big bad wolf?

Mr. Armadillo over there is quite busy with his finals, studying and what not, so I'm going to fill in a bit. Add a little bit of my bottled sparkle to the journal, you know.

News wise, something that pleased me greatly was New Jersey's decision to outlaw the death penalty. This was decided last Thursday, with a 21 - 16 approval in the state Senate followed by a 41 - 36 vote in the state Assembly. There has not been anyone put to death in New Jersey since 1963, and it will be the first state to have banned this practice in forty years. This was brought to my attention yesterday, after seeing this article where they look at it from the perspective of people "getting off," including the man who gave the reason for establishing Megan's Law. I've personally never agreed with that idea, my opinion is more along the lines that the death penalty is a cruel, yet easy way out. People who do these sort of things should be made to think about what they've done every single day and should remember that they could have easily avoided being placed in a jail cell in the first place. I also will never be able to agree with the purposeful death of any living thing, even if that living thing has committed something as horrible as murder. A quote for this would be "An eye for an eye and the whole world is blind" by Mohandas Gandhi.

One person's perspective that I've always found interesting is that of Matthew Shepard's father, Dennis Shepard. Matthew Shepard was a man who, in 1998, was brutally attacked for being gay. He died less than a week later. When Matthew's parents were faced with the possibility of Aaron McKinney's (One of the attackers) death sentence, they chose two consecutive life sentences without parole instead. His father had this to say:

"... Mr. McKinney , one final comment before I sit and this is the reason that I stand before you now. At no time since Matt was found at the fence and taken to the hospital have Judy and I made any statements about our beliefs concerning the death penalty. We felt that would be an undue influence on any prospective juror. Judy has been quoted by some right wing groups as being against the death penalty. It has been stated that Matt was against the death penalty. Both of these statements are wrong. We have held family discussions and talked about the death penalty. For example, he and I discussed the horrible death of James Byrd, Jr. in Jasper, Texas. It was his opinion that the death penalty should be sought and that no expense should be spared to bring those responsible for this murder to justice. Little did we know that the same response would come about involving Matt. I, too, believe in the death penalty. I would like nothing better than to see you die, Mr. McKinney. However, this is the time to begin the healing process. To show mercy to someone who refused to show any mercy. To use this as the first step in my own closure about losing Matt. Mr. McKinney I am not doing this because of your family. I am definitely not doing it because of the crass and unwarranted pressures put on by the religious community. If anything, that hardens my resolve to see you die. Mr. McKinney, I'm going to grant you life, as hard as it is for me to do so, because of Matthew. Every time you celebrate Christmas, a birthday or the fourth of July, remember that Matthew isn't. Every time you wake up in that prison cell, remember that you had the opportunity and the ability to stop your actions that night. Every time that you see your cell mate, remember that you had a choice and now you are living that choice. You robbed me of something very precious and I will never forgive you for that. Mr. McKinney, I give you life in the memory of one who no longer lives. May you have a long life and may you thank Matthew every day for it.

Your honour, members of the jury, Mr. Rerucha, thank you."

Things for everyone to ponder, right?

In other news, this time for your health - Popcorn makers have finally decided to get rid of diacetyl. Diacetyl, which occurs naturally in various dairy products and fruits, has been found to be the cause of something known as "popcorn lung." This illness is prevalent in those working in the factories that produce the popcorn, but one case has been thought to be discovered in a consumer. All of the products containing diacetyl for Orville, Act II, Jolly Time, and Pop Secret should be phased out by January.

Today's song, because I love this band so very much: A Story About Two Sisters by Seamonster

Peace and all that jazz,
Fughzi