A plea for Tookie Williams

Anyone who has ever attended an urban, public high school in California knows about the Crips and the Bloods. However, the admonishing of their dangerous legacy often falls upon deaf ears.

When I was in middle school, my lab partner taught me how to flash the Bloods' gang sign. My seventh grade soccer picture had several girls discreetly holding their hands near their thighs so the cameraman won't catch the gang signs they were showing.

Gangs often gain notoriety that makes their lifestyle seem exciting and thrilling. But gang life is distinctly the opposite.

Stanley "Tookie" Williams understands the perils of gang life the way few other people can. As the co-founder of the Crips gang, Williams spent eight years on the streets as a revered gang leader.

In 1979, Williams was arrested for the murders of four people. He was convicted in 1981 and sentenced to death. After spending six and a half years in solitary confinement, Williams emerged a changed man. Although he still maintained his innocence of the murders, he repented for founding the Crips and acknowledged the awful violence that has resulted from gang activity.

Since his "reawakening," Williams has become active in educating children about gang life. He wrote nine children's books that encourage children to avoid gang activity and suggest how children can protect themselves from violence. High-risk teenagers are brought to see him in prison, and he speaks to them about life on death row.

He received five nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Williams is to be executed on Dec. 13. His last appeals attempt was denied. Today, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will hear Williams' clemency petition. Schwarzenegger has yet to grant clemency to any death row inmate.

Williams' attorneys argue that his trial was unfair. They claim witness testimony was fabricated and that all potential black jurors were dismissed. As compelling as this may be, this is not why clemency should be granted for Williams.

Clemency is an act based upon atonement and redemption. Williams regrets the errors of his past, and he is doing what he can from prison to make a difference in the lives of high-risk children. Williams has something that many other educators do not: street credibility. And like it or not, that plays an enormous role in the minds of many youth. Williams' success in his advocacy against gangs is measurable, and that should be a significant factor in Schwarzenegger's decision.

sharp eye on her potentially thieving teenage employees, while taking a smoke break.

Now she packs running shoes with her lighter.

Let's not forget the poor non-smoking friend left to eat alone while everyone else frantically hunts for a spot to legally light up.

Looking for smoking locations will replace looking for parking spots as the number one reason not to go downtown.

Maybe "smoking lots" will be 2006's million-dollar idea. You can smoke within 15 feet of Nordstrom for only $5 a minute.

We obviously have a responsibility to ensure healthy public places, but don't we also have one to helping smokers get through their abrupt schedule change?

We have, after all, indulged their addictions to the point of routine.

"Gotta ticket?"

That's what will matter tomorrow.