Weighing the value of Life versus the value of a Life Sentence

 So What does the Governor do? Here is a guy who is associated with the most notorious Murderer in American History. He may know more about other crimes, and indeed may have been involved in other crimes. Yet - he was personally really only involved with two crime scenes which can be proved, and neither was a contributor in making the case so infamous. As well- he has done twice as much time as anyone else (not also associated with this case) who has committed similar crimes. He has a very good record and meets the criteria for release in almost every measurable way...

A Political conundrum no doubt. But beyond the obvious reasons The Governor will have to make this decision about Mr. Davis- is the moral one. Does a life sentence mean a life sentence? Are the prison systems for rehabilitation, or just a way to lock up the bad guys and keep them away from the rest of us? Do we place more importance on judging the value of one man and his worthiness of some mercy and compassion, or do we value more the statement we can make  through this man to remind us all where society draws the line  with those individuals who have shown the lack of ability to demonstrate mercy and compassion themselves???? Naturally- this statement is most effective when the most people are paying attention.  Of course, this decision is much more than a review of his post incarceration record and suitability, and we have seen before how much weight the parole board's recommendation carries in this situation...

Saint says- Bruce stays put

Bruce Recommended for Parole!

KTLA News

3:58 p.m. PDT, October 4, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A parole board has recommended parole for a convicted killer described as a top follower of mass murderer Charles Manson.

Bruce Davis' 27th parole hearing postponed back in June after Davis reported feeling ill, the L.A. County district attorney’s office said.

Davis is serving 2 life sentences for the 1969 slayings of musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald "Shorty" Shea.

During today's rescheduled hearing board members found Davis suitable for parole based on his positive adjustment, record of no recent disciplinary problems, and successful completion of academic and vocational education and self-help programs.

He was not involved in the infamous murders by Manson followers of actress Sharon Tate and six others in Los Angeles.

During his 40 years in prison, Davis became an ordained minister and earned master's degrees in philosophy and religion via a correspondence program.

He was recommended for parole in 2010, but his release was later blocked by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Davis was convicted of helping kill musician Gary Hinman in his Topanga Canyon home and former stuntman Donald "Shorty" Shea, who lived in Manson's commune at the Spahn movie ranch in Chatsworth.

Schwarzenegger acknowledged that Davis had made "some credible gains" during his incarceration.

But in turning down the parole recommendation, he cited the "especially heinous" nature of the slayings and Davis' repeated efforts to minimize his involvement.

So what do we think now?  Will Bruce possibly be out shortly to breathe  fresh air, and experience nature, sunshine and all the things he has longed for all these years? Or- will the Governor slam the door on him crushing his spirit and hope for maybe the last time?

Rare Manson Photo

I consider it "rare" if I'VE never seen it  :)

Who's your Daddy?? The Master, Scientology, Manson

So I saw "The Master" because I heard it was based on Scientology and the guy who made "Boogie Nights" was the Director and the early reviews said it would win a million Oscars.

I happen to know a thing or two about Scientology. I also went and read a good deal of reviews from a website which is run by former high ranking members of the "Church". We are in agreement that this movie is more or less directly based on the life of L. Ron Hubbard. The references are made in many sequences of the movie, and many of Scientology's theories and verbiage are referenced throughout the dialogue.

However it is not an expose of the quasi-religion, or the imagined creation of another. They simply use it as a backdrop. It is more the story of one broken man who wanders into it. This movie is absolutely stolen by the performance of Joaquin Phoenix. Most people who see this film will walk away thinking about his character Freddie Quell, and even I had a hard time paying attention to anything other than his every unpredictable moment in this film.

I won’t spoil this movie for those who have not seen it, but it did make me think of the constant mentioning of Manson's connection to Scientology and the fact that Bruce Davis also has been connected to the church, and murder of two people who lived on a Scientology property. Just because helpless young people were slaughtered in such a brutal manner - do they have to drag up the usual suspects? If ever there were a group of people as dangerous and mysterious as the Manson Family- would not the Scientologists be among them? The Process, Scientology, Church of Satan? Why do so many want to connect them to Manson? It seems there were no shortage of fringe groups to join if you were a lost confused soul during this period of time. Why do you suppose that some chose the darker ones during a time of so much promise, hope, and light???

Sinners or Saints??

From the website of Charles “Tex” Watson (A prisoner Outreach with Abounding Love) Feb 2012 

Sinners are those who don't believe in God's love, that Christ died to provide the gift of righteousness, and rose again to give eternal life. "For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." 

Saints are those who believe in God's love and grace. 

As a sinner in the sixties, I did not realize that Jesus died and rose again to supply all my need. I tried desperately to fill my own need in every possible way, only to fail miserably. But today as a Saint, "...God shall supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

I was blind to the wonderful things God had freely given to me 2,000 years ago at the cross. I was expecting people, places, and things to provide the love, acceptance, and approval that only God's love and grace can give. Maybe you can identify now with how I felt back then?


I guess maybe I am not alone here, but if I had the opportunity to be in Southern California in the late 60’s,  I may have had more on my agenda then stuff that happened a couple thousand years ago. All due respect to religion. Tex has none. As a  "sinner in the 60’s"  Tex did not realize quite a few things, and even today it still sounds like he is looking for someone to  "supply all our need."  Tex says sinners are those who don’t believe in God’s love. I think if a person who does not believe in God doesn’t harm anyone and is a decent member of society and treats his fellow man with compassion and dignity, God would let them in Heaven anyway. I don’t necessarily think believing in God more loudly than others can get you to the front of the line or earn you any titles either. It certainly won’t make him forget or ignore your resume when you arrive there trying to get in. I think this guy is making excuses, and has been looking for someone to hide behind his whole life. He can call himself whatever he wishes and he can make references to the Bible for as many days as he has left mopping up the Mule Creek State Prison State floors. But if there is really a God up there and he is watching - I am sure he would not want this man  just bestowing himself with such prestigious titles, and comparing himself to such important people...

It just isn’t that easy to be a Saint ;)

Anton LaVey and John Kerry

Strange Bedfellows: Anton LaVey, former head of Church of Satan, meets John Kerry.
From the San Francisco Chronicle, July 17, 1982

Charles Manson Writes Marilyn Manson A Letter

To Marilyn Manson,

it’s taken me a long time to get there from where I could touch M. Manson. Now I got a card to play – you may look into my non-profit, ATWA, and give Manson what you think he’s got coming for Air, Trees, Water, and you. Or I will pay Manson what you think Manson got coming – the music has made Manson into Abraxas Devil, and I’m SURE you would want some of what I got from what I got. It’s a far out balance."

Beyond good and bad, right, wrong. What you don’t do is what I will do – what you did a sing-along, and let it roll and said how you saved me a lot of steps – I don’t need, it’s not a need or a want. Couped – coup. Ghost dancers slay together and you’re just in my grave Sunstroker Corona-coronas-coronae – you seen me from under with it all standing on me. That’s 2 dump trucks – doing the same as CMF 000007. Charles Manson."

Then It All Came Down - Truman Capote

Scene: A cell in a maximum-security cell block at San Quen­tin prison in California. The cell is furnished with a single cot, and its permanent occupant, Robert Beausoleil, and his visitor are required to sit on it in rather cramped positions. The cell is neat, uncluttered; a well-waxed guitar stands in one corner. But it is late on a winter afternoon, and in the air lingers a chill, even a hint of mist, as though fog from San Francisco Bay had infiltrated the prison itself.

Despite the chill, Beausoleil is shirtless, wearing only a pair of prison-issue denim trousers, and it is clear that he is satisfied with his appearance, his body particularly, which is lithe, feline, in well-toned shape considering that he has been incarcerated more than a decade. His chest and arms are a panorama of tattooed emblems: feisty dragons, coiled chrysanthemums, uncoiled serpents. He is thought by some to be exceptionally good-looking; he is, but in a rather hustlerish camp-macho style. Not surprisingly, he worked as an actor as a child and appeared in several Hollywood films; later, as a very young man, he was for a while the protege of Kenneth Anger, the experimental film-maker (Scorpio Rising) and au­thor (Hollywood Babylon); indeed, Anger cast him in the title role of Lucifer Rising, an unfinished film.

Robert Beausoleil, who is now thirty-one...

Read the rest here.

Manson Family trivia game.

Take the quiz here

Thanks LMan.

La Coka Nostra - Letter to Ouisch

Thanks Mike...

Added by candy and nuts