Sept 23rd, 2011
One of the reasons I made a point not to subject myself to last night's GOP "debate" after liveblogging the previous gatherings was that I didn't want to sit through two solid hours of this. A question posed by a gay active duty soldier in Iraq was booed by the audience. What's more, not one person on the stage pushed back. Listen to the shrieking applause over Rick Santorum's commitment to reinstate the just repealed DADT policy.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Quote Of The Day
Sept 23rd, 2011
"Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing."
-- Edmund Burke
-- Edmund Burke
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Watching And Recording The State
Sept 22nd 2011
What might be the most important line of defense we citizens have in this new century? The lens. Very nearly all of us carry a camera on our persons whether or not we think about it. Reason TV, yes the libertarian mouthpiece network, has done a tremendous service in profiling just how much of a difference that has made in the case of the police murder of Kelly Thomas. Just yesterday, criminal charges were filed. If you see something questionable... pull out that camera phone. It may be the tool that begets justice.
What might be the most important line of defense we citizens have in this new century? The lens. Very nearly all of us carry a camera on our persons whether or not we think about it. Reason TV, yes the libertarian mouthpiece network, has done a tremendous service in profiling just how much of a difference that has made in the case of the police murder of Kelly Thomas. Just yesterday, criminal charges were filed. If you see something questionable... pull out that camera phone. It may be the tool that begets justice.
It REALLY Gets Better
Sept 22nd, 2011
If you have not yet seen this, it is beautiful. Shortly after the official end of DADT, one young serviceman calls his dad... and tells him he is gay.
If you have not yet seen this, it is beautiful. Shortly after the official end of DADT, one young serviceman calls his dad... and tells him he is gay.
The Epidemic Of Not Watching, cont...
Sept 22nd, 2011
Yes, the #OccupyWallStreet protest is still happening. The "liberal" MSM might not be paying attention. However, a lot of us are.
Yes, the #OccupyWallStreet protest is still happening. The "liberal" MSM might not be paying attention. However, a lot of us are.
Quote Of The Day
Sept 22nd, 2011
"The punishment of murder by death is contrary to reason, and to the order and happiness of society, and contrary to divine revelation."
-- Benjamin Rush
-- Benjamin Rush
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Troy Davis' Letter To Supporters
Sept 21st, 2011
A letter Troy Davis penned to his supporters was published today by the Atlanta Post:
"I want to thank all of you for your efforts and dedication to Human Rights and Human Kindness, in the past year I have experienced such emotion, joy, sadness and never ending faith. It is because of all of you that I am alive today, as I look at my sister Martina I am marveled by the love she has for me and of course I worry about her and her health, but as she tells me she is the eldest and she will not back down from this fight to save my life and prove to the world that I am innocent of this terrible crime.
As I look at my mail from across the globe, from places I have never ever dreamed I would know about and people speaking languages and expressing cultures and religions I could only hope to one day see first hand. I am humbled by the emotion that fills my heart with overwhelming, overflowing Joy. I can’t even explain the insurgence of emotion I feel when I try to express the strength I draw from you all, it compounds my faith and it shows me yet again that this is not a case about the death penalty, this is not a case about Troy Davis, this is a case about Justice and the Human Spirit to see Justice prevail."
A letter Troy Davis penned to his supporters was published today by the Atlanta Post:
"I want to thank all of you for your efforts and dedication to Human Rights and Human Kindness, in the past year I have experienced such emotion, joy, sadness and never ending faith. It is because of all of you that I am alive today, as I look at my sister Martina I am marveled by the love she has for me and of course I worry about her and her health, but as she tells me she is the eldest and she will not back down from this fight to save my life and prove to the world that I am innocent of this terrible crime.
As I look at my mail from across the globe, from places I have never ever dreamed I would know about and people speaking languages and expressing cultures and religions I could only hope to one day see first hand. I am humbled by the emotion that fills my heart with overwhelming, overflowing Joy. I can’t even explain the insurgence of emotion I feel when I try to express the strength I draw from you all, it compounds my faith and it shows me yet again that this is not a case about the death penalty, this is not a case about Troy Davis, this is a case about Justice and the Human Spirit to see Justice prevail."
Quote Of The Day - Here and Now Edition
Sept 21st, 2011
"May God have mercy on your souls."
-- Troy Davis to his executioners moments before his death
-- Troy Davis to his executioners moments before his death
The End Of Troy Davis
Sept 21st, 2011
by F. Grey Parker
UPDATE 10:15pm CST - Troy Davis was executed at 11:08pm EDT
9:45pm CST via ABC:
"The U.S. Supreme Court denied a last-minute stay of execution for Troy Davis after a delay to weigh arguments."
There was no physical evidence in his case. He was convicted on the basis of eyewitness testimony only for the killing of an off-duty police officer. 7 of the 9 witnesses against him have recanted. There are multiple allegations of police intimidation in the investigative phase. What's more, there is another suspect. It is more likely that this other suspect committed the crime.
The fight to prevent this miscarriage of justice has not merely been the latest cause celebre of committed opponents of capital punishment. For example, here is former F.B.I. direstor William Sessions:
"What quickly will become apparent is that serious questions about Davis’ guilt, highlighted by witness recantations, allegations of police coercion and a lack of relevant physical evidence, continue to plague his conviction. Last summer, an extraordinary hearing ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court to answer these questions instead left us with more doubt.
At Davis’ evidentiary hearing, witnesses called by Davis recanted trial testimony and made allegations of police pressure. Others testified that an alternative suspect had confessed to them that he committed the crime. One eyewitness testified, for the first time, that he saw this other suspect, a relative of his, commit the crime. Police witnesses for the state of Georgia alternatively asserted that the original trial testimony was the true version of events and that it was elicited without coercion."
For more background, here is last week's (very belated) CNN report:
More than a million informed Americans have acted on Mr. Davis' behalf. To no avail. Yesterday, the Georgia Board on Pardons and Paroles basically said "who cares."
And now, this.
by F. Grey Parker
UPDATE 10:15pm CST - Troy Davis was executed at 11:08pm EDT
9:45pm CST via ABC:
There was no physical evidence in his case. He was convicted on the basis of eyewitness testimony only for the killing of an off-duty police officer. 7 of the 9 witnesses against him have recanted. There are multiple allegations of police intimidation in the investigative phase. What's more, there is another suspect. It is more likely that this other suspect committed the crime.
The fight to prevent this miscarriage of justice has not merely been the latest cause celebre of committed opponents of capital punishment. For example, here is former F.B.I. direstor William Sessions:
"What quickly will become apparent is that serious questions about Davis’ guilt, highlighted by witness recantations, allegations of police coercion and a lack of relevant physical evidence, continue to plague his conviction. Last summer, an extraordinary hearing ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court to answer these questions instead left us with more doubt.
At Davis’ evidentiary hearing, witnesses called by Davis recanted trial testimony and made allegations of police pressure. Others testified that an alternative suspect had confessed to them that he committed the crime. One eyewitness testified, for the first time, that he saw this other suspect, a relative of his, commit the crime. Police witnesses for the state of Georgia alternatively asserted that the original trial testimony was the true version of events and that it was elicited without coercion."
For more background, here is last week's (very belated) CNN report:
More than a million informed Americans have acted on Mr. Davis' behalf. To no avail. Yesterday, the Georgia Board on Pardons and Paroles basically said "who cares."
And now, this.
Yahoo Censored Wall Street Protest E-Mails
Sept 21st, 2011
It sounds more like the kind of thing you'd expect to hear about in China than the United States. But it happened.
Lee Fang reported for ThinkProgress earlier today:
"Thinking about e-mailing your friends and neighbors about the protests against Wall Street happening right now? If you have a Yahoo e-mail account, think again. ThinkProgress has reviewed claims that Yahoo is censoring e-mails relating to the protest and found that after several attempts on multiple accounts, we too were prevented from sending messages about the “Occupy Wall Street” demonstrations."
Lee Fang reported for ThinkProgress earlier today:
"Thinking about e-mailing your friends and neighbors about the protests against Wall Street happening right now? If you have a Yahoo e-mail account, think again. ThinkProgress has reviewed claims that Yahoo is censoring e-mails relating to the protest and found that after several attempts on multiple accounts, we too were prevented from sending messages about the “Occupy Wall Street” demonstrations."
AlterNet reports that the company has apologized. Not good enough. This demands a thorough investigation.
The video below shows what Yahoo users experienced.
Priorities and Politics Vs. Remembrance On 9/11
Sept, 21st, 2011
by F. Grey Parker
I am re-posting this very disturbing portion of my 9/11 round-up for a reason. That reason is outlined below the video. The video is not safe for work or children.
I am still going through reader correspondence from the last few weeks. My apologies. Some of the mail I am reading is actually quite startling. In particular, I have been taken aback by the sheer level of venom and vitriol directed at me regarding the choices I made while marking the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Apparently, a larger number of my readers than I am frankly comfortable with were disappointed that I didn't take that time to write some anti-militarist screed. More disturbing were the dozens who railed at me for not promoting outright "trutherism."
With all due respect, what the hell is wrong with you?
The legitimacy of these arguments and the veracity of conspiratorial claims were not on my mind that day. Nor should they have been. I have written, in excruciating detail, on these subjects. The only thing that mattered on that day was to remeber the human toll.
Period. End of story.
I am hoping that just one or two of the people who felt the need to condemn my "failure" to capitalize on such horror will watch this.
by F. Grey Parker
I am re-posting this very disturbing portion of my 9/11 round-up for a reason. That reason is outlined below the video. The video is not safe for work or children.
I am still going through reader correspondence from the last few weeks. My apologies. Some of the mail I am reading is actually quite startling. In particular, I have been taken aback by the sheer level of venom and vitriol directed at me regarding the choices I made while marking the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Apparently, a larger number of my readers than I am frankly comfortable with were disappointed that I didn't take that time to write some anti-militarist screed. More disturbing were the dozens who railed at me for not promoting outright "trutherism."
With all due respect, what the hell is wrong with you?
The legitimacy of these arguments and the veracity of conspiratorial claims were not on my mind that day. Nor should they have been. I have written, in excruciating detail, on these subjects. The only thing that mattered on that day was to remeber the human toll.
Period. End of story.
I am hoping that just one or two of the people who felt the need to condemn my "failure" to capitalize on such horror will watch this.
Quote Of The Day
Sept 21st, 2011
"Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal."
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
There Is STILL No 4th Amendment In Indiana
Sept 20th, 2011
posted by F. Grey Parker
This is not hyperbole. In May, one of the worst decisions in Indiana's history was handed down by this state's Supreme Court. Today, that court doubled down. As of this writing, there is an apparent lack of coordinated pushback. Some civil rights attorneys here are saying, off the record, that they fear the current SCOTUS might not strike down this assault on the 4th Amendment.
From NWI:
"The Indiana Supreme Court has affirmed its controversial ruling that Hoosiers have no right to ever physically resist police entry into their homes.
In a 4-1 decision, the state's high court said Tuesday the common law rule that "a man's home is his castle" cannot be used as a defense if a person is accused of attacking a police officer entering a home in an official capacity.
"Our holding does no more than bring Indiana common law in stride with jurisdictions that value promoting safety in situations where police and homeowners interact," wrote Justice Steven David for the court.
The ruling stemmed from an alleged 2007 Evansville domestic violence incident where Richard Barnes shoved a police officer trying to enter Barnes' home to investigate after Barnes told the officer he couldn't come in.
Barnes claimed the jury in his misdemeanor battery case should have been instructed that Barnes had a lawful right to resist what he considered an illegal police entry into his home.
In May, the five-member Supreme Court rejected Barnes' appeal, 3-2, saying Hoosiers have no right to resist even unlawful police entry into their homes." EMPHASeS OURS
posted by F. Grey Parker
From NWI:
"The Indiana Supreme Court has affirmed its controversial ruling that Hoosiers have no right to ever physically resist police entry into their homes.
In a 4-1 decision, the state's high court said Tuesday the common law rule that "a man's home is his castle" cannot be used as a defense if a person is accused of attacking a police officer entering a home in an official capacity.
"Our holding does no more than bring Indiana common law in stride with jurisdictions that value promoting safety in situations where police and homeowners interact," wrote Justice Steven David for the court.
The ruling stemmed from an alleged 2007 Evansville domestic violence incident where Richard Barnes shoved a police officer trying to enter Barnes' home to investigate after Barnes told the officer he couldn't come in.
Barnes claimed the jury in his misdemeanor battery case should have been instructed that Barnes had a lawful right to resist what he considered an illegal police entry into his home.
In May, the five-member Supreme Court rejected Barnes' appeal, 3-2, saying Hoosiers have no right to resist even unlawful police entry into their homes." EMPHASeS OURS
The Growing Numbers They Would Let Die
Sept 20th, 2011
At the last Republican debate, every single hopeful candidate made the promise to end "Obamacare." There was also the issue of their base cheering the prospect of letting the uninsured die. Let's look at just how many more of us would be at their mercy compared to a decade ago.
Via CBPP
Medicaid should be expanded into a full single payer system.
Period.
There should be no substantial profit incentive in the delivery of medicine.
Period.
And politicians who stay silent while their constituents cry out in bloodlust should be disallowed all power.
Period.
At the last Republican debate, every single hopeful candidate made the promise to end "Obamacare." There was also the issue of their base cheering the prospect of letting the uninsured die. Let's look at just how many more of us would be at their mercy compared to a decade ago.
Via CBPP
Period.
There should be no substantial profit incentive in the delivery of medicine.
Period.
And politicians who stay silent while their constituents cry out in bloodlust should be disallowed all power.
Period.
The President's Plan
Sept 20th, 2011
The following is the full text of the President's remarks from yesterday as delivered:
A week ago today, I sent Congress the American Jobs Act. It’s a plan that will lead to new jobs for teachers, for construction workers, for veterans, and for the unemployed. It will cut taxes for every small business owner and virtually every working man and woman in America. And the proposals in this jobs bill are the kinds that have been supported by Democrats and Republicans in the past. So there shouldn’t be any reason for Congress to drag its feet. They should pass it right away. I'm ready to sign a bill. I've got the pens all ready.
The following is the full text of the President's remarks from yesterday as delivered:
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