The Men Tinkering With The Machinery Of Death

This Nightline piece is amazing. It's worth watching the two people largely responsible for Willingham's death. It's worth thinking on the fact that John Jackson, the original prosecutor (who, based on Willingham's music choice, believes he killed his kids as some form of devil worship) is now a Texas judge. It's worth thinking on the fact that we have arson investigators who think science doesn't matter.

Texas justice is essentially sorcery, and there will be people who say that we can perfect it, that we can close the loop-holes. They're wrong. The problem isn't with loopholes--it's with us. We are fallible. Conservatives, more than anyone, should know that--it undergirds their entire philosophy. They don't think government can perfect much of anything. What makes them think we can perfect murder? I'd have a lot more respect if they just came out and said, "Yeah, it isn't perfect, but it's a price we should be willing to pay.

See web-only content:
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2009/10/the-men-tinkering-with-the-machinery-of-death/27996/

This article available online at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2009/10/the-men-tinkering-with-the-machinery-of-death/27996/