[quote=Lilo]...It's not just about arguing for Fredo's life; it's also about arguing for Michael's soul. All of those actions Michael took made sense taken by themselves but added up they condemn the character to hell, primarily via pride.../quote]

Oh, I see - we're talking about hell now.

Well, sure...can you name for me an organized crime figure, past or present, dead or alive, fictional or non-fictional...who ever got to look forward to heaven? (And don't bother to mention Vito..he did plenty of killing in his younger days.)

As for Michael's soul, forget it. That was lost by the end of GF. In the context of what Fredo did, and the business they were raised in and in order to further protect his 'Family'...Michael did the right thing in having him killed.