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Once again, global attention is focused on Texas. No, I am not referring to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

No, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the fanatical fires in Waco were not enough. Now we have to deal with the tragedy and embarrassment of the sick events which took place in Jasper.

How does this reflect on us as Texans? I remember being in Germany shortly after the Waco ordeal and having to answer ignorant questions.

"Does everyone in Texas ride a horse to school?"

"Is everyone a religious fanatic there?"

I suppose during my next trip I will have to answer questions very much like, "Why do you live in a racist state?"

That is a rather thought-provoking question. In all the years I have lived in Texas, describing it as a "racist state" would definitely not have been the first thing to come to my mind.

Whenever I hear about acts of racism, I always picture them happening in the backwoods of Louisiana, Alabama or Mississippi. I have never thought to put Texas in the same category.

Of course, that definitely isn't to say that racism and ethnocentrism does not exist here. Having been on the receiving end of both, I know for a fact that they still do.

Either I have chosen to remain a blind optimist or, a more likely possibility, I have just stopped caring.

I find, however, that maintaining either stance is becoming more and more difficult.

The atrocity that resulted in the death of James Byrd Jr. should not have happened. It still shocks me to think that it did take place.

I have never witnessed or experienced such complete disregard for human life.

For that very reason, someone should be held accountable - preferably the person or persons responsible for the murder.

Luckily, a jury voted to convict John William King (why is every murderer referred to by both his or her first and middle names?).

The process of law has been followed correctly. He has been treated justly.

I have never supported the death penalty. I have always found it a barbaric and irresponsible way to deal with society's pressing problems. It has always been my position that the government should find a way to reform criminals instead of reprimanding them.

Three fundamental characteristics that many people opposing the death penalty possess are reason, compassion and respect for human life.

We can always work out why or how a crime occurred and somehow allow ourselves to overlook the evil. We can always choose to look toward the future instead.

Despite futile efforts to the contrary, I cannot overlook the actions of John William King.

Why should we as a society have mercy on him? He found nothing but hatred and cruelty for James Byrd Jr. Even now, he shows no remorse for his actions.

Were he to remain in prison for a life term, would it really be possible for him to change himself? If that had the slightest chance of happening, would we really care?

There is no way to justify what happened to James Byrd Jr. There is no way to magically make this situation better.

Here is a saying worth some thought: You can kill a man, but you can't kill his spirit.

I know that one execution won't eliminate racism or racial tension. However, if John William King really wants to be a martyr for his own sick beliefs instead of finding any semblance of dignity or decency, let him.

The rest of the world can only sigh with relief.