1000th U.S. prisoner to be executed since 1977

The United States re-enacted the death penalty in 1977 with the execution of Gary Gilmore. Now, this week the 1000th prisoner will be executed and each state governor doesn't want it to be in his state. I've always been conflicted about the death penalty, but have moved more and more toward eliminating it as I process the idea. And I have a personal reason for saying so.

The worst nightmare - literally a nightmare - of my adult life happened in 1977 the night that Gary Gilmore was executed. That night, January 17, 1977, I had a dream that was as real as could be that I was Gary Gilmore. I remember the preparation. The details. And I had the dream all the way up until I was executed by firing squad (remember that he was shot to death?). I was really scared, and I can still remember that dream like it was yesterday. I know, it was just a dream, but it was terrifying all the same (my heart's pounding right now as I write this).

Anyways, Execution 1000. We just passed Execution 2000 in Iraq. The Death Millennium.