We Are Troy Davis: What Gives Me Hope in the Battle against the Death Penalty

Note: I originally posted this as comment here: Daily Kos: We Are Troy Davis

I gained hope from seeing and hearing of the tremendous outpouring of support and growing awareness of America's shame in allowing the death penalty to stay on the books.

As I was visiting and posting on several different forums last night, I encountered at least half a dozen comments from people who said they had been supportive or at least ambivalent about the death penalty, and were now reconsidering their stance on it. That is how minds change and how a movement gets going - one person at time being faced with an insupportable situation and rethinking their position because of it.

In most cases I was able to reply to these posts with some factual information, such as that the states without the death penalty have lower homicide rates. This surprised even me, but I live in one of those states (NM) and I have to say it doesn't seem like crime in NM has gone off the rails in the two years since it was abolished here. I did a quick Google search to see if my conclusions were correct, and it brought up a wealth of information. I'm posting the link here if any of you want to use it future discussions:

Google: states without the death penalty


Also, I would like to extend my enormous gratitude to Amy Goodman and the staff & producers of DemocracyNow, and the guests that were interviewed, for the superlative work they did last night in covering this. (As well as their impressive work in following the case over time.) Benjamin Jealous of the NAACP, along with the man from Amnesty International, did an excellent job of explaining the legal issues and ramifications of this entire case. Those who saw even part of this broadcast last night have received an education that will not soon be forgotten.

Finally, my condolences to the family, friends, and supporters of Troy Davis as well to the family of Officer MacPhail (whom I fear will not find the peace and closure they've been seeking - but that is their sad lesson to learn). It was said during the broadcast last night that Troy Davis felt God was using him as a beacon to bring this issue before the American public - and the world. This thought is certainly being fulfilled, imo, even as we speak.

GOP Health Care Plan Postcard from BoldlyLiberal* at Zazzle.com

GOP Health Care Plan Postcard from Zazzle.com

Gotta love the GOP, they're so fond of simple slogans. Remember their answer to all our energy problems: "Drill, Baby, Drill?" All righty then, we thought we'd help them out with a simple way to explain their plan for health care: Just DIE, Baby, DIE! After all, they cheered on prime-time TV over the thought of an unemployed, 30-year-old man dying because he had no insurance. Oh sure, he "choose" not to buy it, therefore I guess in their tiny little minds, he "deserved" to die. The GOP/TP: such great "deciders" of who deserves to live or die. (They also think leading the nation's record on executions is cool. Even if that includes executing innocent people). What are they, a death cult?

GOP Health Care Plan by BoldlyLiberal
Create a Full color postcard with zazzle.com

A "Cult of Ignorance" in the US - Asimov quote updated.

I saw this quote going around, and posted it on Facebook:

There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'" - Isaac Asimov, column in Newsweek (21 January 1980)

And one of my friends commented:

Interesting. And especially who said it. Also, true. Is the celebration of ignorance just laziness, or what? (don't worry, I'm being rhetorical ; )

To which I replied:

Good rhetorical question ;) I think Asimov nailed it with the part about the flase notion of democracy. Ya know, one thing the Tbaggers hate about us 'liberal elitist scum' is that they think we think we're better than them (because among other things, we're smarter and better educated). Well, any normal person would use such feelings of envy as motivation to better themselves. But the tbaggers use it as an excuse to lash out and destroy everything good they can get their hands, to drag everything down to their level. They remind me of the Morlocks in Huxley's Brave New World.

Okay, I got the Morlocks wrong. They were from H.G.Wells's The Time Machine. Anyway, when I Googled the term to check which novel they came from, this little gem came up:

E - er's race of
L - little
O - odd looking cattle
I - inevitably to be eaten by the...
M - monsterous creatures
O - of the underground
R - ruling the world
L - like a species
O - of
C - crazy
K - killer mole/apes in
S - suprimeity.

Hmm, ring any bells? Just think ... tonight's GOTP debate was highlighted by audience applauding for the idea that someone without health insurance could be left to die in a coma. Crazy Killer mole/apes they are. Let's hope - and work - to make sure they NEVER acheive "supremeity."

The Democrat Lady Speaks Out: Democrats, Get Off Your Rear End!

The Democrat Lady Speaks Out: Democrats, Get Off Your Rear End!: Get ready now! In recent months, Republican majorities in Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida, and several other states have created voter registrati...

Gay Marriage t-shirt from BoldlyLiberal* at Zazzle.com

Gay Marriage t-shirt from Zazzle.com

It's so simple: If you don't like Gay Marriage, don't have one! Dedicated to al our LGBT brothers and sisters, their friends and families, and all who believe in Live and Let Live.

Gay Marriage t-shirt by BoldlyLiberal
Browse Gay marriage T-Shirts

Enjoy Your Weekend? t-shirt from BoldlyLiberal* at Zazzle.com

Enjoy Your Weekend? t-shirt from Zazzle.com

The working-person icon Rosie the Riveter reminds of just one of the many benefits the trade unions have brought us. Things we take for granted - like paid sick leave, workplace safety, sane working hours, and many more. And all of these are in danger in the funneling of power into the hands of the corporations. So take a moment right now to remember what collective bargaining has saved for us, and stand up for the union!

Enjoy Your Weekend? t-shirt by BoldlyLiberal
Browse more Thank the unions T-Shirts

Man Dies of Toothache

Man Dies of Toothache

In order to understand the absolute RAGE I feel at this moment, you should, first, visit the above link and read about 24-year-old Kyle Willis who died of a tooth infection because he did not have the money he needed for the antibiotic.

Second, read the blog below from Michelle Makin and all the things the conservatives are doing to blame the dead gentleman for his own death.

ObamaCare Fable

I don't care what other options he had. HE DIED BECAUSE NO ONE TOLD HIM OF THOSE OPTIONS. He died because the GOP will not let government do its job. Sick people should NOT have to run around to various organizations trying to figure out how to pay for their illness. They should go to the doctor or dentist and it gets taken care of, PERIOD!

I DO NOT CARE IF HE COULD GET IT FOR FREE FROM A CHURCH, A CHARITY OR WHEREVER. HIS DENTIST or DOCTOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAY "HERE, TAKE THIS AND LIVE".

By the way, tax-phobic GOPers should note, his daughter will probably cost taxpayers a ton of money till she is grown, since her father will not be there to even provide food or lodging. Kyle Willis' death is PROOF that we need universal health coverage. If we had it, he would be alive. If he lived in Europe, he would be alive. I do NOT care what taxes they pay in the EU, I care that they do not die, like we do, to save some fat-cat on his taxes! If the GOP wants to continue to call itself the "Party of Life", they had better get off their elephants and pay taxes so people can live!

From now on, everytime I donate to a Democrat or to a charity, I will pick ONE corporation which trades on Wall Street, and email them. My email will say, roughly, "I donated here instead of buying your product, because no one will take my tax money to fix the problems of the poor and middle class." I wonder what would happen if enough people did that and Wall Street corporations began to see the money they were losing? Maybe we can get a law passed to let their stockholders know how much money is NOT being spent to buy their product or service. And, maybe, other Kyle Willis' will live to see their daughters grow up.

When I vote in 2012, I will do so in Kyle Willis' memory.