# An hour and a half left before he dies, and we live **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 11, 2001, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407 "2001-06-11T10:32:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zarathustra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/898d66/32.png) [@Zarathustra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zarathustra)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/1 "2001-06-11T10:32:45Z")
It’s about thirty minutes after 5:00 AM, and I know for certain that when I check this thread again at 7:10 AM, Timothy McVeigh will be dead. Regardless of who he is and what he’s done, there’s something unnatural about this level of certainty. We know that everyone will die sooner or later, but not when. Some people we know will die within a relatively short time frame, but not the precise moment. And of course, you can say that within a certain period–say, ten minutes–it’s reasonably assured that someone, somewhere will die. Only now, with a scheduled execution beyond all appeal, do all those variables become known. Here I am sitting at home looking at my watch, knowing exactly who, exactly when, and exactly how another person will die. I share nothing with him except the number of seconds between now and 7:00 AM, as I sit in my living room and he sits in his cell. After 7:00 AM, he and I will share that no longer. I’ll be breathing air he no longer breathes, seeing light he no longer sees, hearing sounds he no longer hears. All of us share that number of seconds with Timothy McVeigh, until his seconds are yielded up at a prearranged time and place. Then all of us will be bound again by the common breath and pumping blood that he has no longer. One gains some glimmering of understanding why sacrifices have been performed in every society, in every civilization we know of. Tick, tick, tick. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/2 "2001-06-11T10:38:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zarathustra \* > \*\*It’s about thirty minutes after 5:00 AM, and I know for certain that when I check this thread again at 7:10 AM, Timothy McVeigh will be dead. \*\* I must have missed something. I thought he was issued a stay of execution on account of the FBI not releasing some documents to his lawyers during the trial. > [@](#): > > \*\* > Regardless of who he is and what he’s done, there’s something unnatural about this level of certainty. \*\* I don’t see what’s so unnatural about it. > [@](#): > > \*\* > And of course, you can say that within a certain period–say, ten minutes–it’s reasonably assured that someone, somewhere will die. Only now, with a scheduled execution beyond all appeal, do all those variables become known. \*\* Well I dunno. Depending on the method of execution the time it takes to die can vary a bit can’t it? > [@](#): > > \*\* > I’ll be breathing air he no longer breathes, seeing light he no longer sees, hearing sounds he no longer hears. \*\* And the world will just keep on going. > [@](#): > > \*\* > All of us share that number of seconds with Timothy McVeigh, until his seconds are yielded up at a prearranged time and place. Then all of us will be bound again by the common breath and pumping blood that he has no longer. One gains some glimmering of understanding why sacrifices have been performed in every society, in every civilization we know of. > > Tick, tick, tick. \*\* I have no idea what you’re talking about. Marc ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/3 "2001-06-11T10:52:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MGibson \* > I have no idea what you’re talking about. I suspect he’s off on a philosophical tangent …some angle on ‘The Meaning of Life’…rather than a reflection of anything to do directly with McVeigh. If that’s the case, I give it about a 1/1,000,000 chance of not being hijacked. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/4 "2001-06-11T11:31:25Z")
**MGibson** , there was one stay issued, which is why his execution is today and not when it was originally scheduled. His laywers asked for another but it was denied and that was that. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/5 "2001-06-11T11:38:37Z")
I understand what you’re saying, **Zarathustra**. It seems weird and unusual to know the exact time that a young healthy man will die. I don’t like Timothy McVeigh any more than the next person, but I’m uncomfortable with the idea of man ruling that another human life should be taken. After all, man taking life is what started this mess. I’m also uncomfortable with the notion that this is justice for the relatives - the ones I’ve seen on TV seem to think that this will help them move on with their lives, but I wonder if they’ve forgotten that once Timothy McVeigh is dead, their loved ones won’t be coming back? I hope this does finally give them the closure they need. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/6 "2001-06-11T11:43:21Z")
[I know exactly how you feel.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=73589) It’s 04:43 here on the left coast. Eighteen minutes until the “procedure” starts. The news said that by 05:10 he’ll be dead. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/7 "2001-06-11T12:17:25Z")
So? I’m here in Korea, where the news from the US is delayed by a bit… any news? BTW: is it just me, or it is weird that we’re all waiting for someone to die… ---
**Author:** ![Zarathustra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/898d66/32.png) [@Zarathustra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zarathustra)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/8 "2001-06-11T12:17:33Z")
From _Unforgiven_: > [@](#): > > **The Kid** : Jesus Christ. It don’t seem real. How he ain’t gonna never breathe again, ever. How he’s dead. An’ the other one, too. All on account of pullin’ a trigger. > > **Will** : It’s a hell of a thing, killin’ a man. You take away all he’s got an’ all he’s ever gonna have. > > **The Kid** : Yeah. Well, I guess they had it comin’. > > **Will** : We all have it comin’, Kid. From _The Apology_: > [@](#): > > The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways - I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/9 "2001-06-11T12:18:46Z")
**Zara** , we simulposted… any news? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/10 "2001-06-11T12:22:55Z")
Nothing on CNN yet… 05:23 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/11 "2001-06-11T12:24:09Z")
Word came at 22 minutes past the hour that Timothy McVeigh is dead. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/12 "2001-06-11T12:30:25Z")
Timothy McVeigh is dead! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/13 "2001-06-11T12:30:30Z")
“He was pronounced dead at seven-fourteen Central Daylight time.” “Inmate McVeigh did not make a final statement.” “Inmate McVeigh was calm throughout the entire process. He was cooperative…” ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/14 "2001-06-11T12:35:32Z")
Buh-bye. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/15 "2001-06-11T12:36:23Z")
He died with his eyes open. His final statement was _Invictus_ by William Ernest Henley: > [@](#): > > Out of the night that covers me, > Black as the Pit from pole to pole, > I thank whatever gods may be > For my unconquerable soul. > In the fell clutch of circumstance > I have not winced nor cried aloud. > Under the bludgeonings of chance > My head is bloody, but unbowed. > Beyond this place of wrath and tears > Looms but the Horror of the shade, > And yet the menace of the years > Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. > It matters not how strait the gate, > How charged with punishments the scroll, > I am the master of my fate: > I am the captain of my soul. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/16 "2001-06-11T12:39:31Z")
**Astro** , yes, it is weird, but no more than when he felt satisfaction at killing all those people. Goodbye, Tim. Unfortunately, I will remember you. I hope you like it in Hell. ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/17 "2001-06-11T12:39:44Z")
And he got what he wanted. Fame, and death by Government. Fox news says that he’s gonna be cremated and his ashes scattered at a secret site. At least there will be no memorial to the bastard. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/18 "2001-06-11T12:45:57Z")
And now he is dead. And I don’t feel any better. I was not affected by the bombing. I lost no loved ones. I understand the pain he caused. Perhaps his death will give some comfort to his victims who lived and the survivors of his victims who died. I’ve said that I used to be in favour of capital punishment, and that over the years I have become ambivalent and that I lean toward opposing it. Clearly, if anyone deserved to be executed it was McVeigh. Some people “need killing”. But I can’t help feeling some shame at living in a country that executes people. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/19 "2001-06-11T12:57:43Z")
From [CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2001/LAW/06/11/mcveigh.01/index.html) > [@](#): > > McVeigh also revealed that at one time he considered having his ashes scattered at the Oklahoma City bombing memorial, but eventually decided against it. > > “That would be too vengeful, too raw, cold. It’s not in me,” he said in a letter. Just a warm-hearted softy… > [@](#): > > “He wanted the people of Oklahoma City to know that he held nothing personal against them,” Michel said. Killed 168, injured hundreds more, wounded a city, but “hey, nothing personal!” **What CRAP!!!** Self-deceiving to the very end. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2001, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407/20 "2001-06-11T13:03:46Z")
So he’s gone… good riddance. I don’t feel any better, though. I thought I would. Huh. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-hour-and-a-half-left-before-he-dies-and-we-live/68407.md?page=2)