Sympathy for the Devil: Retaliation by Pen and Death by Design

Dear Mindful Leader,

How far have we fallen when retaliation becomes acceptable? When vengeance, disguised as justice, stains the hands of those entrusted to uphold it?

The story of James “Whitey” Bulger’s brutal murder isn’t just a tale of violence behind prison walls; it’s a glaring indictment of a system that allowed revenge to rule the day.

Bulger was a man of unspeakable evil, but does that justify turning a blind eye to the orchestrated nature of his death? The Bureau of Prisons didn’t kill him with fists or weapons—they used a pen to ensure his demise, sending him to a place where his murder was all but guaranteed.

If we as a society condone this, what does it say about our ethics, our morality, and our reflection of Christ’s teachings? This newsletter challenges us to confront the ethical abyss we face when vengeance is allowed to replace justice.

When Pens Become Weapons

How dare we, as a society, sit idle while retaliation is passed off as justice?

How dare we let vengeance masquerade as due process, allowing those in power to wield pens as weapons of murder? The death of James “Whitey” Bulger at the hands of his fellow inmates wasn’t just inevitable—it was orchestrated. And if you think that’s acceptable because he was evil incarnate, you need to take a hard look at what you’re condoning.

The Bureau of Prisons didn’t kill Bulger with their fists, but let’s not kid ourselves: their pens were stained with his blood.

An Evil Man and the Shadows He Cast

Let me be clear: James “Whitey” Bulger was an evil man.

There’s no need to mince words. His crimes were not just violent; they were catastrophic. Bulger terrorized Boston, leaving a trail of blood and devastation.

Sons never came home. Families were shattered.

He wielded power like a tyrant, blending cruelty with cunning. As the leader of the Winter Hill Gang, his hands were steeped in the blood of his victims, many of whom were left unrecognizable—just like he was in death. Bulger wasn’t merely a gangster; he was a predator, a man who crushed lives with a callousness that defied comprehension.

Worse still, he didn’t just betray his victims—he betrayed everyone. The FBI, seduced by his usefulness as an informant, allowed him to operate unchecked for years. He used the system to his advantage, manipulating agents, betraying rivals, and lining his pockets with the proceeds of death and destruction.

Evil.

Vile.

Despicable.

There aren’t enough adjectives to describe him. So why, then, should we care that his death wasn’t “clean”?

Because how we treat even the worst among us speaks volumes about who we are.

Retaliation by Bureaucracy

When Bulger was transferred to USP Hazelton, the writing was on the wall.

This wasn’t a move born of necessity—it was a calculated act of retaliation.

Hazelton was no ordinary prison. Its nickname, “Misery Mountain,” spoke volumes about the chaos within its walls. Fights, stabbings, and gang wars were routine. For a man like Bulger—89 years old, in a wheelchair, and notorious beyond measure—it was a death trap.

The Bureau of Prisons knew this. They didn’t just turn a blind eye; they orchestrated the conditions for his demise.

Here’s the truth: Bulger was sent to Hazelton because he had verbally abused BOP staff at his previous location.

Let me repeat that: Bulger was murdered because he had the audacity to mouth off.

He didn’t physically attack anyone. He didn’t try to escape. He used words, and for that, he was sentenced to die.

“An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also. (Matthew 5:38-39)

Are we so blind, so hardened by our desire for vengeance, that we cannot see the moral abyss here? Retaliation isn’t justice—it’s weakness. And the officers who facilitated Bulger’s death revealed the rot within the system.

The Murderers Behind the Pen

Let’s not dance around this: the Bureau of Prisons killed Whitey Bulger. They may not have wielded the sock filled with a padlock, but they might as well have handed it to his killers with instructions.

The prisoners at Hazelton weren’t just aware of Bulger’s arrival—they were giddy with anticipation.

Bets were placed on how long he would last.

Twelve hours. That’s all it took. Twelve hours for them to beat him into an unrecognizable pulp, ensuring his death was as brutal as his life had been.

And yet, no one is surprised.

Why?

Because everyone—from the guards to the warden to the paper-pushers at the BOP—knew exactly what they were doing when they sent Bulger to Hazelton. This wasn’t incompetence. It was retaliation disguised as policy.

Here’s the most damning fact: Bulger’s transfer wasn’t necessary. He wasn’t a threat to staff or other inmates. He was a grumpy old man in a wheelchair.

The real reason for the move? Retaliation for his verbal abuse. If you think that’s an exaggeration, consider this: who benefited from his death? Certainly not the justice system.

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17, 21)

We must face this reality with clear eyes. The BOP didn’t uphold justice—they undermined it. And in doing so, they invited us all to accept a dangerous precedent: that the system can retaliate, so long as its victim is sufficiently hated.

Forgiveness, Boundaries, and God’s Justice

Now, let’s talk about forgiveness. It’s tempting to think that forgiving someone like Bulger is impossible. After all, he didn’t ask for forgiveness. He didn’t repent. His life was a monument to cruelty.

But forgiveness isn’t about the other person—it’s about freeing ourselves from the chains of anger and hatred. It’s about refusing to let vengeance consume us.

Jesus showed us what this looks like. On the cross, as He suffered the ultimate injustice, He prayed:

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Forgiveness doesn’t mean ignoring evil. It doesn’t mean tolerating abuse. It means trusting God’s justice over our own. It means acknowledging that while the world’s justice may fail, God’s justice is perfect and eternal.

Let me be clear: forgiving Bulger doesn’t mean excusing his actions. It means refusing to let his evil define our response. And it means holding the BOP accountable for their failure to rise above retaliation

Retaliation, Ethics, and the Soul of Justice

Whitey Bulger's death wasn’t just the result of individual negligence. It was the byproduct of a system corrupted by its own inability to separate justice from vengeance. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) didn’t just fail; they actively participated in creating conditions where Bulger’s murder was inevitable.

This isn’t conjecture—it’s fact. And if we’re willing to let it slide because of who Bulger was, then we’re complicit in a greater moral decay.

The Real Murder Weapon: The Pen

The murder weapon in this case wasn’t just the padlock-stuffed sock. It was the pen in the hands of those who signed Bulger’s transfer orders. With a flick of that pen, they condemned an elderly, wheelchair-bound man to death.

Let’s not sugarcoat this: every official who approved that transfer knew the risks. Hazelton’s reputation wasn’t a secret. It was a violent battleground, not a place for anyone who might be seen as weak, let alone a notorious informant like Bulger.

The question isn’t whether the BOP knew what would happen—it’s why they allowed it to happen.

Bulger had been difficult, verbally abusive to staff at his previous prison. But was his rudeness deserving of death?

And if we believe it was, what does that say about us?

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)

The officers who sent Bulger to Hazelton didn’t kill him with their hands. They used their authority to orchestrate his death. And they did so knowing full well that the inmates of Hazelton would finish the job.

This was retaliation. Pure, cold, calculated retaliation.

Why This Should Outrage You

You may think, “Why should I care? He was the devil himself.”

And you’re right: Bulger’s crimes were unspeakable. He brought ruin to countless lives. But our willingness to ignore what happened to him reveals something troubling about us.

1. Dehumanizing One Dehumanizes—All If we allow the system to dehumanize someone like Bulger, we open the door for it to dehumanize anyone. Today it’s Bulger; tomorrow it’s someone less infamous but equally despised. Who decides who deserves dignity and who doesn’t?
2. Retaliation Undermines Justice—Retaliation is emotional. Justice is rational. By retaliating against Bulger, the BOP undermined the very principles it’s supposed to uphold. Justice must be blind to personal feelings; otherwise, it becomes vengeance.
3. Complicity by Silence—If we don’t speak out against what happened to Bulger, we become complicit. Silence is consent. As Christians, we’re called to stand for truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

The Gospel and the Call to Mercy

Jesus didn’t shy away from the issue of mercy and retaliation. He didn’t ignore evil, nor did He condone it. Instead, He modeled a radical mercy that calls us to rise above our basest instincts.

When Peter asked how many times we should forgive someone who sins against us, Jesus replied:

“I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:22)

This isn’t a call to weakness. It’s a call to strength. Forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing wrongdoing; it means trusting God’s justice over our own.

Let’s be clear: forgiveness and accountability go hand in hand. Holding the BOP accountable for their actions doesn’t mean absolving Bulger of his sins. It means refusing to let retaliation become our standard.

The Systemic Failure of the Bureau of Prisons

Bulger’s death was preventable. But it wasn’t just an individual failure—it was systemic. The BOP has a responsibility to protect every inmate, no matter how reviled. By failing to do so, they sent a message: some lives are expendable.

Consider this: Bulger’s murder wasn’t the first death at Hazelton. In the months leading up to his transfer, there were multiple inmate murders. The facility was already under scrutiny for its lack of safety measures. And yet, the BOP sent Bulger there anyway.

“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees.” (Isaiah 10:1)

The failure here wasn’t just negligence; it was willful. And as people of faith, we must demand better.

What This Means for Us

Bulger’s story forces us to confront hard truths. How often do we let our anger justify unethical actions? How often do we excuse retaliation because it feels like justice?

Jesus calls us to a higher standard. He calls us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and trust God’s justice above all else.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

As Christians, we must reject the cycle of vengeance. We must stand for truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. And we must hold ourselves and our institutions to the standard of Christ’s love.

How Should We Respond When Someone Comes to us with the Intent to Harm?

In a world that often encourages retaliation and self-defense at any cost, Jesus offers a radically different response, a response rooted in love, forgiveness, and trust in God’s justice. This response is not rooted in weakness but in strength, the kind of strength that only comes from God.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus challenges us with these words:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also… Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:38-39, 44)

This teaching feels impossible at times.

How do we turn the other cheek when someone insults us, betrays us, or intentionally tries to harm us?

How do we love those who wound us deeply, whether through words, actions, or even silence?

Yet Jesus doesn’t ask us to do anything He hasn’t already done.

Jesus chose forgiveness over revenge, love over hate, and peace over violence. If we claim to follow Him, we must ask ourselves: Are we willing to do the same?

Retaliation may feel like justice in the moment, but it only deepens wounds and separates us from God’s peace. We are not called to repay hurt with hurt, but to rise above it, trusting that God will handle what we cannot.

Practical Ways to Respond to Hate with Christ’s Love

1. Pause and Pray Before Reacting

When someone wrongs you, pause. Take a moment to breathe and pray. Our first reaction often comes from emotion, not faith. Ask God for peace and clarity. This small pause can change how we respond.

2. Pray for Those Who Hurt You

Jesus commands us to “pray for those who persecute you.” This isn’t easy, but prayer softens even the hardest hearts—starting with our own. Praying for those who hurt us invites God into the situation and transforms how we see others.

3. Respond with Words of Grace, Not Gossip

One of the most common ways we retaliate is through our words. Gossip and slander may feel satisfying temporarily, but they poison our hearts. Scripture says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” (Proverbs 18:21) Choose words that build up, not tear down.?

4. Set Healthy Boundaries Without Bitterness

Forgiving doesn’t mean exposing yourself to continued harm. Setting boundaries protects your dignity and well-being. But do it with love, not resentment. Protecting yourself is not sinful it honors the value God placed in you.

5. Trust God’s Justice Over Your Own

God sees every injustice and every wound. Scripture reminds us, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19) We don’t need to take matters

into our own hands. God’s justice is perfect and complete. Let go of the need for revenge and trust Him to make things right.

The Power of Mercy Over Revenge

Choosing love over hate doesn’t mean accepting injustice. It means we refuse to let hatred define us.

It means acknowledging that we are all sinners in need of mercy.

Consider the story of Saint Maria Goretti, a young girl who was attacked by her neighbor. Before dying, she forgave him, and her forgiveness led to his profound conversion. Her choice to forgive became a testimony of God’s transforming power.

Or look at modern examples, like the Amish community in Pennsylvania who forgave the man who killed their children. Their forgiveness shocked the world but reflected Christ’s mercy.

These stories show us that forgiveness is not weakness, it is strength. It is the victory of good over evil.

A Call to Examine Our Hearts

Brothers and Sisters, I invite you to reflect deeply:

?How do you respond when someone wrongs you?

?Do you hold grudges, seek revenge, or spread gossip?

?Or do you pause, pray, and seek to forgive as Christ has forgiven you?

Ask God to reveal any anger or bitterness in your heart. Let Him replace it with His peace. This doesn’t happen overnight, but God honors every step we take toward healing and forgiveness.

Imagine the impact if we, as a community, committed to responding with love instead of retaliation.

Imagine how our families, workplaces, and community could be transformed if we chose forgiveness over gossip, peace over anger, and love over hate.

This is how we become true disciples. This is how we reflect Christ to the world..

A Call to Action

What happened to Bulger was wrong.

Not because he was innocent, but because we cannot allow retaliation to replace justice.

Let us examine our own hearts.

Are we harboring anger or bitterness?

Are we seeking revenge in subtle ways?

Let us lay those burdens at the foot of the cross, trusting God to bring true justice.

Imagine a world where we, as followers of Christ, committed to mercy over vengeance. Imagine the impact we could have if we refused to let hatred define our actions.

This is the call of the Gospel. And it’s a call we must answer.

Stay well. Swim strong.

Warmly,

David

P. S. ?????? ? If you don’t know who I am, my name is David Vogel, retired CEO turned LinkedIn influencer and Founder of the Church of Unity Society. Six mornings a week Live at 7 AM, I preach to the C-suite, igniting their spirits with the power of God. As the publisher of Mindful Ethics, the unapologetic voice of ethics on LinkedIn, I challenge leaders to elevate their game, lead with heart, and redefine what it means to live with purpose.

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? Published by: David Vogel, in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire