It's the day after. A day late. A dollar short. I want to smoke, but I don't anymore so instead I'm left with this uncomfortable feeling. The feeling of regret.
Two men died yesterday. I'm not here to debate the merits of the Troy Davis case. He said he was innocent. He was put to death.
In the great state of Texas another man was put to death. In 1989 Russell Brewer picked up Byrd and offered him a ride home. Brewer was with 2 other friends.
James was dragged to his death.
He was dragged for over 2 miles.
There was nothing of him left.
They dumped his remains in front of a black cemetery and went to a barbecue. They had beer. They drank. Russell has never been sorry though he tried to wiggle out of responsibility. The day before his execution Russell Brewer said, "As far as regrets go, no, I don't have any. I'd do it all again to tell you the truth."
"...I'd do it all again to tell you the truth".
Ross Byrd, 32, and the son of James said "You can't fight murder with murder." Byrd and James' father were at the prison the day of the execution to state that they didn't want this. They didn't agree with the death penalty. Killing Brewer wasn't going to bring his father back.
I don't agree with the death penalty. I also don't agree with the apathy that this country has been since the death of Matthew Shepard in 1988 and James Byrd in 1989. 20 years has gone by- and what do we have to show for it? A spending hangover, two parties that look the same and a generation of kids who lack the leadership that Generation Y had when they were growing up. But instead of Tweeting for the night and "post this as your status for 30 minutes if you agree!", what if we did something. What if we did it every day. Vote out elected officials who don't speak for you. Tell them to go home. Or run. My local councilman is running for Mayor- the first planning meeting is in two weeks. I'll be there.
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