The Supreme Court, Death Penalty, Botched Executions; Abolishment Is Overdue

Image by Bearman2007 on Flickr

Four inmates on Oklahoma’s death row petitioned the United States Supreme Court to hear their petition for a stay of execution. One week after refusing to halt the execution of one of the men, Charles Warner, the Court agreed to hear the petition on behalf of the other three. Until the Court’s decision is made, the three men have been granted a stay.

The petition asks for a review by the Court of a sedative, midazolam, used in Oklahoma, Arizona, and Ohio, where in some cases inmates have suffered agonizing executions. Its use therefore may violate the U.S. Constitution’s protection against cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case in April and rule on the petition by July.

Keep Your Nose Warm If You Want To Avoid Catching a Cold

Image by Denise Cortez, Flicker.com

I have a brother who swears up and down that if he doesn’t bundle up while inside or when outside of his home he will get a cold. Even when he sleeps, he covers every part of his body with a hat, facemask, three layers of clothing, three layers of stockings, gloves, and covers himself with five or six layers of bed coverings. I have always thought he was eccentric and foolish. Now I have second thoughts.

A Moneyless World: It’s An Idea Worth Spreading

Image by Celestine Chua on Flickr

Copyright: Creative Commons License

Can you imagine an America and world free from the influences of money? Where everyone would have access to education and healthcare without the burden to pay for it. Where everyone would be free to fully pursue his or her passion in a world at peace, free, and where inequality wouldn’t exist. An America and world where there is real technical and social progress without profit limitations placed on innovative research and development.

K-12 Public School Education Should Not Be Marketable

Public Education Is So Important 

That It Should Not Be Left To the Marketplace

Image by Greens MPs on Flickr

Libertarian, former Texas Congressman Ron Paul, like Conservatives and Republicans, believes that if the business world were free to operate without regulation, we would have greater freedom of choice, including education. It’s the solution to our K-12 public school problem.

Paul is not alone. There are many who criticize the public school system, calling for the need to reform public education. They say privatization of public schools will provide parents with more education alternatives.

American Sniper: To Love War, Find Killing Fun, Really Doesn’t Sound Like the Stuff of Heroes to Me

You Tube Video Clip of Clint Eastwood

 and Bradley Cooper on the set of ‘American Sniper’

I have known extraordinary men and women in my life. They have courageously been there for family and strangers alike when they desperately needed help. They sacrificed and unselfishly gave of themselves during difficult times, often under precarious circumstances, because they cared about the wellbeing of people. They did it willingly without compensation or even recognition. They are extraordinary people. If faced with the same circumstances they are the kind of people I would hope to emulate. They are the kind of people I call heroes. They are the kind of people I want my children and grandchildren to regard as heroes.

To All Republicans: Why Not an America That Values All Its People?

CSpan cropped video clip:
Obama’s sly smile after responding
to Republican’s disrespectfully applause

President Obama’s State of the Union Address was exactly the right speech, at the right place, and at the right time.

On the other hand, Speaker of the House John Boehner’s stony demeanor was all telling. His demeanor’s an indication of just what to expect from Congressional Republicans, and a Republican President, if one should be elected in 2016.

America's Fatal Addiction to War and Torture

Abu Ghraib: Specialists Charles Graner 

punching restrained prisoners

Credit: U.S. military or Department of Defense

Copyright: Public Domain

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 were a time we could have shown the world the strength of America’s character. But the Senate Intelligence Committee’s Torture Report revealed just the opposite: America failed to live up to the principles it professes.

Defense Secretary Nominee Ashton Carter, the Right Choice for Our Continuous Wars

PBS Video Screenshot of Ashton Carter

President Obama’s nomination of Ashton Carter for Secretary of Defense replacing Chuck Hagel is not good news for those of us who yearn for world peace and an end of war.

In light of 13 years of continuous war with no end in sight, the advent of a warmongering Republican controlled Congress, a Defense Secretary nominee described as “hawkish,” Carter’s confirmation is guaranteed.

Autopsies Confirm Michael Brown’s Killing a Homicide

The doubt concerning the guilt or innocence of Darren Wilson in the killing of Michael Brown now seems clear; a Department of Justice’s autopsy declares it a homicide.

“The findings of the Justice Department post-mortem released on Monday echoed those of two previous autopsies carried out by St. Louis County’s medical examiner and a private examiner hired by the Brown family. It found that Brown — who was shot in Ferguson, Missouri, on Aug. 9 — suffered “severe injuries of the skull, brain and right chest” and appeared to have been shot in the hand at close range. “The manner of death is homicide,” the Justice Department’s medical examiner ruled.”

Dorian Johnson, who was walking with Brown at the time Wilson’s patrol car pulled up to them, retells the events of that day. He says, “It was definitely being shot like a animal,” it’s almost like an execution.

Witnesses tell the same story.

Supporters of Wilson’s action like to point out that Brown robbed a convenience store as if that was good enough reason to kill him. Johnson reportedly confirmed that he and Brown did steal cigars from a convenience store that day. But theft should never be good enough reason for a police officer to kill someone.

There Are Real Reasons for Anger, Not Just in Ferguson or Staten Island

Thisvideo shows the lead up and the beginning of the attack

 on the peaceful protestors at Ferguson north of St Louis

Aug 14, 2014

Screen shot of YouTube video

On Saturday, August 9, Michael Brown, an 18-year-old unarmed black man and his friend was walking down the middle of a street in Ferguson, Mo. A white police officer, Darren Wilson, told them to move to the sidewalk. A confrontation followed. Wilson struggled with Brown to get out of his patrol car. Brown attempted to take Wilson’s gun, the gun fired, Brown ran. Wilson fired several shots while in pursuit. Brown stopped, turned, and walked toward Wilson. Witness’s observations differed as to whether Brown was walking toward Wilson in a threatening manner or with his hands raised in surrender. Wilson “fired a series of shots” and killed him.