On Monday, a Texas jury sent a message to any lowlife who might be planning to avenge alleged slights against the white race.

Tuesday, September 21, 1999

On Monday, a Texas jury sent a message to any lowlife who might be planning to avenge alleged slights against the white race. Pursue your beliefs, believe what you want, but if you harm another person, be prepared to face the death penalty.

The jury convicted Lawrence Russell Brewer in connection with the death of James Byrd Jr. In typical coward style, Brewer and his buddies – already convicted and imprisoned John William King and Shawn Allen Berry – beat Byrd and then chained him to the bumper of his truck. Then, they dragged Byrd until he died.

There was little doubt that the jury would return a guilty verdict. It only took about four hours. Now, that same jury will decide if Brewer should face the death penalty.

The latter seems the right message to send.

There should be no room in a civilized society for this kind of butchery. It is the kind of crime that deserves no forgiveness and no mercy.

Different viewpoints have created America. Allowing its citizens to speak their minds is what makes this country such a refuge for the persecuted. Although most people don’t like their message, Supremacists are entitled to it.

But when that message turns to violence, anger and hatred that takes the life of another, the violation is too heinous and the right of the individual becomes secondary to the good of the order.

This is a time to decide what we will or will not tolerate as a society. The Texas jury sent that message. It is up to the rest of the nation to make sure word gets around.