Ah, good ol' Snoop. Will someone please put his ***** to sleep?
http://www.chronwatch.com/content/contentDisplay.asp?aid=18119&catcode=13
Snoop Dogg Glorifies Death Row Murderer
Written by Jim Kouri
Monday, November 28, 2005
Snoop Dogg, the celebrated rapper, was once a member of the Crips
gang. Since then he's grown in popularity as an award-winning rap
artist, actor, and advertising spokesperson for a number of products.
Now he's using his celebrity and influence on behalf of a
multiple-murderer and co-founder of one of the nation's most
bloodthirsty gangs. He wants the California authorities to spare the
life of Stanley "Tookie" Williams. Snoop Dogg is the latest addition
to the hundreds of people who are protesting against the execution of
Williams schedule for December 13.
"Stanley "Tookie" Williams is not a regular guy, he's an inspiration,"
Dogg said. "All I want to say to the governor is it's about keeping
this man alive because his voice needs to be heard."
Unfortunately the four people Williams murdered have had their voices
silenced forever. The untold number of people killed, maimed, and
assaulted by the gang Williams founded also have been denied a voice
since they are dead or they lack the celebrity status of a star rapper
or the clout of a motion picture studio that made a piece of
propaganda about Tookie Williams, with actor Jamie Foxx playing a
sympathetic Williams on the big screen.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will decide on Williams'
petition for clemency in the coming weeks, and there are many who
believe he will cave in to the Hollywood establishment that seems to
advocate leniency for murders, cop-killers, and other anti-social
thugs who suddenly write books, give speeches, and tell tales of life
in the meanstreets.
Celebrities rubbing elbows with gangsters is nothing new. There's
always been a fascination by the denizens of the entertainment
industry with the murderers, drug-dealers, pimps, and robbers who
populate the American underworld.
Snoop Dogg was the highlight of the evening when he was honored as the
final speaker of about a dozen at a large protest outside the main
gates of San Quentin federal prison, where speakers included former
gang members, religious leaders, and representatives from the Nation
of Islam.
The anti-death penalty activists have made the Williams case the
fiercest battle over execution of murderers many have seen in years.
California State officials and police officers believe Williams is a
brutal and unremorseful murderer who deserves death by lethal
injection for viciously murdering four people in 1979 during a spree
of robberies.
William is the author of several books aimed at teaching young men and
teenagers about the perils of gang life. His conversion has won over
high-profile supporters, including actor Jamie Foxx, who portrayed him
in a sympathetic film version of his life.
In an interview in prison on Wednesday, Williams continued to claim he
was innocent. This in spite of overwhelming evidence of his criminal
deeds. Most of his supporters are African-Americans as were his
victims.
The anti-death penalty protest had former gang-members testifying how
Williams helped them to get out of the "life."
But not everyone is buying it. "Stanley Williams does not deserve
this mercy," the Los Angeles district attorney wrote in a response to
the Williams' clemency petition.
"Despite the overwhelming nature of the evidence against him and
despite the nonexistence of any credible defense, Stanley Williams has
steadfastly refused to take any responsibility for the brutal,
destructive, and murderous acts he committed," he added.
Snoop Dogg grew up in Southern California where the Crips began. He
left the gang to become one of rap music's mega-stars after his albums
repeatedly topped the music charts. Dogg is also a motion picture
actor and is frequently seen in commercials.
Snoop Dogg claims the death of Williams will dash the dreams of kids
for a better life outside of the gang lifestyle.
"On the street we don't have no role models, we don't have no
leaders," he said. To be sure, Snoop Dogg isn't no role model or
leader either.
About the Writer: Jim Kouri is the vice president of the National
Association of Chiefs of Police, and is a prolific writer for police
and crime magazines. He has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN,
MTV, and Fox News, and his book, "Assume the Position," is currently
available at Amazon.com and Booksamillion. To recieve his newsletter,
write to JimKouriReports@aol.com, or visit his website at
http://jimkouri.us.
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