A look at the narrow margin between right and wrong,
seeing the limited choices among moral and immoral behaviors when in unexpected circumstances,
beginning to explore the relationship between trauma and social injustice,
hoping to choose a humane path through a sometimes inhumane landscape.
Please read on.
And then join in a conversation that we all really need to be having . . . .
Thu, Sep 15, 2011
A titillating review of Kerry Max Cook's unbelievable - but true - story and how he has overcome what none of us want to know can happen. Grisly, devastating, remarkably inspiring. All under the same cover. Tim Jon Semmerling gives you enticing details, read on . . .
Wed, Sep 14, 2011
Dr. Zalman asks intriguing questions in this article about the role of exonerees and those who remain in the system though wrongly convicted. He posits the reasonable argument that fixing the system is likely not going to be easily remedied simply by showing it is clearly in error on occasion. Bringing an excellent opportunity to reflect on this matter to the table he challenges common practice and the tendency to simply celebrate freedom and proclaim innocence and demands a deeper resolution and consideration even for exonerees.
Fri, Sep 09, 2011
As a culture, and the individuals who make that culture up, we both cause and effect our own process of evolving beliefs: choosing what we will value, stand for, and allow. Each person's choice, just as voting - can collectively enable abuse - or stand by silently while it occurs rationalizing some excuse rather than fighting against it. Let us harken back to John Donne who reminded us that anything we allow we should be willing to endure; for we are joint heirs in the human experience inevitably, and it will come round. Rather than passively looking over the hard and dark stories in our path let us proceed with increased awareness, even though it comes with increased responsibility. Let us mature as we age. Please reflect on this interplay between what you pay and choose to view and how you let it shape your willingness to look the other way or enable alternatives to due diligence and integrity in our system: the 'best system in the world'. Because your choices become our choices as we inspire one another. And we all need inspiration to make the right decisions and cause change for the better.
Thu, Sep 08, 2011
Diane Fanning has been on a large number of news and media shows discussing her role in covering the story of Casey Anthony and her role in the death of her daughter. She researched and wrote a book about the case, and here is her thought on what went wrong with the trial and why. She speaks boldly and thoughtfully. Forcing all of us to look at this situation from both sides.
Fri, Aug 26, 2011
This is a perspective piece about the second trial for a woman [Megan] who has been convicted of shooting and killing her husband who had met and groomed her from an early age. It is written by the mother [Audrey] of another woman [Kara] who is now imprisoned and claims innocence. Audrey attended Megan's trial and feels that the defense, showing evidence of Battered Women's Syndrome should have been a palpable and adequate. Here she reveals her own vulnerability as she experiences Megan's trial. We see that her heart and mind are alert even as she has been harshly thrown into the field of wrongful convictions by her own experience and how awareness grows.
Fri, Aug 26, 2011
When and what do we tell our children about the law enforcement officers of today? Lawyers clearly have a perspective on this that would differ from the rest of us. Dr. Morgan does too!
Sat, Oct 15, 2011
Word choices have consequences sometimes beyond the scope of intent. Here Elizabeth Webster surveys the schematic of the phenomena to throw women and the mysterious aspect of femininity as a 'wickedness' into the water so as to determine guilt by her dying as a guide to address current trends in jurisprudence. Well worth a read.
Thu, Sep 22, 2011
A federal 9th Cir. ruling in August 2011 has kept Kevin Gunn's federal habeas alive for the time being, but this is the story of how an accumulation of "errors" [which seem like they should have been exculpatory information to a competent defense attorney] become somehow used to convict Gunn of robberies and assaults that he didn't commit. What would seem like perplexing at best, and a surreal alternative reality for him, more likely, is described in detail as Hans Sherrer recounts the story of his arrest and conviction, leaving the reader somewhat more than perplexed, as well.
Wed, Sep 14, 2011
Sometimes there just isn't any way something can be made right. Everything is wrong from a moment in time on. And when you step into the picture it is already too late to change critical factors in a story. This is the case with the woman in this article. I share this part of her story because I came to know her as a decent person. At the same time that I say this I also freely admit that what she did was absolutely reprehensible. But I can accept her as the decent person and relate to her as such because she was willing to take responsibility for her actions and admit what she did. And while I would have stopped her by any means necessary had I been given the opportunity, I wasn't. I would never choose to be in a place like that and I didn't know her then. Given the choice I am sure she would never have been in that place. Who would? You and I have never been in Danita's shoes or lived as she lived. It is my guess, though we never talked about it, that she would change her actions a million times over given the chance. While I don't know this for sure, I can say I hope so. And I believe in her enough to believe so. All I can do is tell you who I knew/know her to be when I intersected her story . . . .
Fri, Aug 26, 2011
We generally see cases of individuals - rather than groups - being wrongly convicted. Bettie shares with us her experience as one among many and how both she and her family are affected as they continue to fight on in an effort for complete freedom from prosecution and conviction.
Thu, Sep 22, 2011
Whether or not Troy Davis was innocent he clearly has become iconic in the international efforts to argue for the margin of error that exists whenever the death penalty is carried out. His last words were powerful and will no doubt be often quoted by innocence advocates as well as those who argue against the death penalty in any case. His family is now left with no recourse except acceptance and the resolution that might come following efforts of posthumous exoneration, should they seek that, and of course, their long walk with grief.
Fri, Sep 16, 2011
Like Double Take One this response is a mother and grandmother's reply to how the story of Ms. Nelson's being charged in the death of her son. She brings up the issue of practicality in mothering - doing the things one needs to do in child care - like taking a child to the playground so the child can 'be a child', and also watching over the child adequately so that nothing happens to the child while being out and about ones daily activities and how the system now seems to be overanxious to find blame in ever situation.
Thu, Sep 15, 2011
In response to a charge many have found questionable this mother and grandmother asks some valid questions and shares her mind with us.
Wed, Sep 14, 2011
One man gets a chance to live with what he has done because a family tragically grieving can still hold onto their values despite their anguish.
Fri, Aug 26, 2011
An old woman, trying to do her best - and having succeeded for 28 years, finds herself violated by a prison guard's words, actions, and an unheard voice for what actually happened. This is not - unfortunately - an unusual experience for what occurs inside prisons. But she makes the absurdity of it available for us to consider in one situation. This contribution comes from Jane Dorotik, a prisoner herself, and she uses this story to highlight the question Dostoyevsky asks us: Just how civilized are we - well, Doris makes us wonder. And Jane knows well that there are far more elaborate and extreme examples than Doris's - but this one gets the discussion on the table. Thanks Jane for asking us!
Wed, Aug 24, 2011
Take a look at these places which have been captured in photographs and described for us. Places we thankfully will never have to be. But because they are here to see help us realize the reality of prison life and how far from humane humanity can behave.
RSS 2.0 Feed