Throwing Stones
This week four police officers were murdered in a Seattle coffee shop. The alleged killer, Maurice Clemmons, is a career criminal with convictions in burglary, robbery, possession of illegal arms and assault. Why was this villain allowed to walk our streets with such a violent past? In turns out Mike Huckabee, current Republican pundit and former presidential candidate commuted Clemmons’ 95 year sentence as Arkansas governor in 1990.
Governor Huckabee states, “Should he, (Clemmons), be found to be responsible for this horrible tragedy, it will be the result of a series of failures in the criminal justice system in both Arkansas and Washington State.” Huckabee did not admit guilt or involvement, fingering his parole board for making the recommendation. Huckabee currently spends his living throwing stones, left and right, on mistakes made by the current administration and the moderate members of his own party. It has enriched him through paid speeches and book sales. Now, this event is being called, “Huckabee’s Willie Horton.” Michael Dukakis, as Governor of Massachusetts, released Horton, a convicted robber and murderer, on a weekend furlough. Horton not only did not return, but raped a local woman after beating and binding her spouse. Candidate George H.W. Bush amplified this issue in commercials and speeches, ending Dukakis’s attempt at the presidency.
We speak about the need for political civility as this country faces economic, social and global challenges, yet emotions from both parties are escalating into riotous town meetings were the anger may eventually lead to violence. There is a lesson, here, that throwing stones damaged both a right and left wing governor. It is time to minimize the finger-pointing and solve some problems. It is time to mourn the dead and help their families. It is time to remember a greater lesson, “Let the first stone be thrown by the one among you who has no sin.”
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