All are appalled by the violent, rageful attack of two Asian men by actor, Mark Wahlberg, when he was 16 years old. He was arrested, convicted and served time. Now he wants to be pardoned, claiming that it would serve as an incentive for violent youth that their lives can be redeemed and that there is hope for coming to terms with the ravages of their past. But many published reports, such as the one linked below, believe otherwise. But consider this: In the Bible, a man named Saul was a Jewish persecutor, a hunter of Christians who he believed were polluting Judaism with their beliefs and he pursued them zealously. He later changed his name to Paul and became the author of the letters, the epistles and he himself was persecuted and killed as a follower of Christ. He is now referred to most commonly as Saint Paul.
Conversion. Redemption.
Today, many ruthless forgive-them-nots dismiss the conversions of prisoners because they believe such a reversal is inauthentic, impossible, and will never be enough because forgiving a celebrity will set a bad example of favoritism.
I believe in pardon, parole, redemption, forgiveness. Not in all, or even most cases. But what more can a hardened heart require of a violent, angry youth than his confession of wrongdoing and, as this article states, a belief that, “he has devoted the rest of his life to being a model citizen. His movies do not glorify violence (apparently). He has contributed significantly to his community. He has mentored many young boys away from a life of crime. He has demonstrated, in deed, a respect for the police.”
What do you think? Thumbs up, or thumbs down?
http://theweek.com/article/index/273108/mark-wahlberg-should-not-be-pardoned
dwight lee wolter 
Pardoning Mark Wahlberg…good question without a good answer. I was surprised to learn of this history and disappointed too. I looked up his biography and with that insight in mind my vote on a pardon is this: maybe. Turns out Mark had a troubled past filled with many police interactions. In addition to the racially charged assaults for which he was later convicted involving two Asian men, he was also involved in a racial harassment incident involving African Americans too. He served a grand total of 45 days in jail for his assault on one of the two Vietnamese men he hurt, one so badly he permanently lost vision in one of his eyes. Not much time actually for the crime committed. After jail he did begin a long process of turning his life around to the point where he is today more of a model citizen than he was as a young man. If I were the Governor these are the things I would ask Mark to do. One, make personal amends with each of his victims. Two gain their approval for his pardon. And lastly make the person he injured whole again as best as he could. Put your right hand over your right eye and continue to read on and that might give you a glimpse of what one of his victims has had to endure all these years since he was attacked. Mark has money, if that victim was still in need he should use of his money to set that life on a better track putting his money where his mouth is. I would say that until all these things were done no pardon should be granted…it still has to be earned but if those things were done all of them then a pardon would bring closure for all involved. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Wahlberg
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I was raised in a very violent, alcoholic, military home. I have experienced violence and forgiveness. As an author (three books on forgiveness) and as a minister, I have also met many prisoners and AA and NA people (former prisoners of addiction) who have done horrible deeds. Motives are often complex (right thing to do = benefit me). But I see far more people refusing to let go than I do people willing to “pardon”. .In any event, more shall be revealed…
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