I won't open this post without saying that I offer the world my greatest condolences for the "legal" murder of Mr. Saddam Hussein, Iraq's ex-dictator who was accused of the murder of 142 Shiites (without mentioning his crimes against the Kurds and the killing of one Israeli in the 1991 Gulf war, among many others) and sentenced to the capital punishment of death by hanging, by the Supreme Court of Baghdad last year. Although he appealed that sentence, pardon was refused to him and he was hanged the morning of the 30th December, 2006.
This man was guilty indeed, but the capital punishment is not a punishment but a release of punishment. This will be a matter for the next post.

In the 21 century, when the world claims to be modern, it is inconceivable to accept such barbaric treatment of a human being. And I just want to point that even being a Zionist and radical in many ways, I do not support capital punishment. The US have to check what they based their constitution on, the Bible. If it is so, they will certainly find that the Lord did not support murder. He called everyone to grant pardon for anyone and be kind. To kill, even the worst of the murderers, is opposed to the teachings of the Great Master.

Rest in peace, Saddam Hussein. A human being whose life was taken by the blood thirst of the world. Soon, we'll see how the world will pay such death.


Now let's move to a topic, connected a bit to what I stated above. I read a book called "The Chamber", by John Grisham. Just a master.
It tempted me to think a lot over the subject of execution and capital punishment, and it certainly took me to the statement I wrote. During that time I had a work to do for English and one of the tasks was to write something, could be anything from a poem to an artistic work, about a song I translated. I opted for the song "Walking after you" by Foo Fighters and there came this text that was commented on as a 'masterpiece' by my number one fan: the English teacher. I saw it as good and relevant to post here as it goes a bit with what I went through in the last month. But, don't get me wrong, I by no means think this shows my feelings. I just find suspense a bit nice for writing. And I love to show frantic and violent pictures for some reason. Anyone who knows me knows pretty well I am not violent. Enjoy.

P.S: You could find a part where I took some lines from "The Chamber" in the end.

Oven Firewood

It was long after dark, when he reached the old cliff in which he used to play when he was a child. It was a quiet night and it had been said it would rain.
He stared at the trees down by the lake. The same trees that used to be his shelter long ago, but not anymore. He had tried to change them for better buildings. Buildings that could keep him warm.
The moonlight left a stripe of silver on the lake, which distorted as a cold breeze shook its waters.
It was cold, and rain was a right guess for any natural event that could come in those moments. Nevertheless he stood still, looking at the trees.
Every time he felt unable to find a shelter he came up to this spot, where he looked at the trees. He stared at them for a long time, making sure he understood that he wasn't a kid anymore. Making sure that he now was an adult, trees were only his source of oxygen, not his shelter.
But this time it was different.

She said it twice. Her words soft to his ears, but like acid to his inside. He felt burning. And he knew why.
She tried to explain desperately, but he needed no explanation. She didn't want him, and such a fool he was to think his fear was nonsense. That he would make it this time.
After her cold sermon, that seemed to take an eternity, he felt unable to speak.
He only could add a soft lie that ended it all: "I love you, and I respect you. Therefore, I understand your reasons". She then looked at him, at his blank eyes that showed nothing but death, and with a smile said: "Thank you. I knew you would understand me". It was time for her to say good bye and add the classic "we are still friends, right?", and she did. No response came from him, none was suitable for now.
That was it. The end of another short, same basis story.

No tears were available, as he knew this feeling pretty well. Therefore he could only look. Stare blankly at the trees. Down there, near the lake.

He sat suddenly at the edge of the cliff and spent another 10 minutes looking down. Trying to find a reason for this happening again. Nothing came, except for the trees.
A tree was always a symbol for a new start, a new beginning, and after all that used to calm him down a bit after the same thing happened over and over again.
This time he felt it was over, no new beginnings or starts would come. Nothing will ever make him feel what he felt for her, or for anybody. He had no family and that would be easy. He didn't have to love anybody, as no one ever loved him or felt sorry for his bad luck.

He turned again to take a look at the road. It was empty. No vehicles except for his car. And suddenly he had an idea. Disappear.
He went back to his car. His dear old Chevy from the 70's, which he adored. He turned the key and the engine breathed to life.
He drove something like 80 meters from the cliff and turned around. He stared for a moment to make sure no other cars were coming, and pressed the gas pedal to the top as his two liters engine roared to life. The car took the 80 meters ride pretty well and at the end turned to his right, in the direction of the cliff. The car flew as its wheels lost contact with the ground.
Twenty meters below the cliff there was a crash, and after 3 seconds a blast, and suddenly, the whole bunch of trees were on fire.

He rose up to his feet from the ground to see his amazing work. And he stared, laughing at his old trees burning down. He almost flew off the cliff along with his car. After he opened the door he came to a stop half a meter from the cliff, and that was what he wanted.
He laughed, as he saw his old Chevy burning.
Minutes passed by and when he turned around to start making his way to his old home, about ten minutes from where he was, he saw a car.
He recognized it, it was Karen's. Stopped by the cliff and came to him with tears in her eyes. She said she was sorry, and that she didn't know what happened, and why she had said what she said. She hugged him and told him she still loved him.
He only said: "Don't worry, honey. Everything's ok".
Suddenly, she saw the lights of the fire down the cliff. She heard a few more blasts, little ones.
She went to the edge and looked down. "What happened? Isn't that your Chevy?", she asked.
He smiled and said: "Nothing happened. Everything's ok".
Terror was in her eyes. He came next to her and hugged her. She was puzzled.
A cold, long silence reigned for about a minute, and he said: "Listen, Karen. I don't think this could work out".
"Why not?", she asked, and her eyes filled with fear. Tears started to come down her face. He gently kissed her. She looked at him even more puzzled.
He turned around, then stopped and turned towards her begging eyes. "Because".
He pushed her down the cliff to the sea of fire. She fell, as he screamed "Because!" several times. And then silence.
She fell by the driver's open door and was in flames immediately. Just as he wanted.

She didn't move. She made no sound. Her death was "quick and painless". As it was said in his father's report of execution.
After all, it seems that this kind of violence comes in from his genes, but he felt very relaxed after all. Next would be Alice.
He went back to her car. The engine was still on. He sat in the driver's seat and closed the door.
Alice lived not far from here, and she was surely sleeping by now. He turned around and sped away.