The Bitter Irony Of the Blessed Cross:
Modern Calvary Is An Ominous Death House
There are elements of Tim McVeigh's upcoming execution that give new meaning to the word "irony." Someone recently pointed out that, since Tim has recently turned thirty-three years of age, he's just as old, or young, as Jesus Christ when he was persecuted on the cross on Calvary. I'm not trying to tell anyone reading this that McVeigh has Christ-like characteristics, per se, but when one combines that knowledge with the undeniable fact that the infamous gurney, on which Tim will breathe his last, is built just like the cross on which our Lord met His death so many years ago.
Those two arms of the "killing bed" are outstretched, not exactly as the cross but pretty damned close. Tim will be strapped down, placed in restraints and then poisons will be subsequently jammed into his veins----just as nails were pounded into Christ's hands and feet. Does this tell you something? Something about the darkness of humanity's heart when it comes to executing those who have killed, using the rather lame excuse that the criminal in question will never get out of prison and murder again.
Let's see now: How on earth does someone incarcerated in a maximum security prison manage to escape from his or her cell, get by security guards poised for action at all times they're on duty, then run across the grounds, where powerful search lights flood the entire area, enabling anyone to see anything at all out of the ordinary, to finally reach the dizzyingly high chain link fence with the sharper than sharp rolls of razor wire? Does that make any iota of sense to anyone here? There is no way on earth that Tim McVeigh could go on the lam from the US Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, unless he was suddenly given super-human powers to accomplish that feat.
Now, the following paragraphs may enrage some of you and believe me, I have the utmost respect and admiration for anyone who managed to survive the death camps in Europe during Adolph Hitler's reign of terror on the Jewish people who might somehow "mar the face of the master race." Having said that, I must bring to your attention the stark similarities between horrific places like Dachau, Auschwitz and Bergen Belsen and a prison housing facilities to put inmates to death.
Using Tim McVeigh as an example as compared to a concentration camp inmate in the 1940's, it is my hope that you will agree with me that there are not many aspects of both places that do not bear a striking and sickening resemblance to one another. If anyone here has been reading David's journal, posted on an incredible site entitled, "Death Row Speaks" and run by a dedicated woman named Julie (I've linked it and you can find this link at the bottom of the first page of this site). In the newly-posted May journals, David Hammer, who is also on death row at the Terre Haute penitentiary, speaks frankly about McVeigh, a man he has come to know quite well in the past few years. Hammer recalls talking to Tim just days before he was to be executed on May 16th and noted that McVeigh was emaciated, scared and, despite his flippant candor, easy smile and kindness (yes, Tim can be very sensitive and kindly), David could see fear in his eyes. Put together the starved body, the constraints of death row, the execution chamber that bears striking similarities to Hitler's ovens and you have a place that doesn't stray far from the description of a death camp. Psychologically abused, kept at a distance from friends and family, Tim is a political prisoner. How does that make you feel? Angry, ready to shake me until my teeth rattle? Go ahead and vent your rage on one who dares to speak the truth about the cruel and unusual punishment of the death penalty. I've heard it all and will continue to be buffeted by people who are clamoring for Tim's death.
Jesus gave up His life for His beliefs. Death row inmates give up their lives to satisfy the ravaged cries for "justice." Even though Tim's crime was nothing short of terrible, he's paying with his life. Maybe some things are worth dying for.
Christ gave up His life for Tim, for me and for anyone who has sinned in any kind of way. We're so far from His teachings that our life journeys have led us to a place where killing can be considered just. We're all so completely and totally wrong.
