Archive for

February, 2007



Big Week

There is so much going on at TCASK that it has been difficult finding the time to write. Alex has been on the road to Memphis yesterday and heading to Jackson tomorrow. Over the weekend, Kathryn Lea and I staffed a TCASK booth at the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee’s annual Mission Conference all day Saturday, and then, I led a Sunday School class at First Presbyterian in Hendersonville on Sunday. Yesterday, I furiously worked to complete our application for the placement of a Jesuit Volunteer with TCASK; and, today, both Alex and I have been in an all day meeting learning to be better grant writers. Alex is currently on the Hill…okay…I am out of breath from just writing about all that has been going on!

But the week is young. Hopefully you already know that this Thursday, March 1, is a big day for abolitionists around the world as it marks International Death Penalty Abolition Day, celebrating the anniversary of the date in 1847 in which the state of Michigan officially became the first English-speaking territory in the world to abolish capital punishment. It is a day to remember the victims of violent crime and their survivors; it is a day to remember those killed by state sanctioned violence – guilty or not- and their survivors; and it is a day for intensified education and action for alternatives to the death penalty.

TCASK will be hosting Write-a-Thons all over the state on March 1, asking lawmakers to support both a moratorium and a study bill. We will write in order to thank the Governor for the current moratorium, to explain why the moratorium needs to continue in order for a full study to be conducted, and to ask the Governor to pardon Paul House. Some TCASK chapters will also be writing to their city councils asking for resolutions in support of a moratorium and study. Hopefully, no matter where you live in the state, a write-a-thon is happening somewhere near you: Dyersburg, Jackson, Memphis, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Sewanee, Knoxville, and Bristol.

If you are not located near one of these areas, please write letters from wherever you are. A letter writing toolkit is available to you on the website. Get your writing hands warmed up, and let’s generate the most letters ever this year to let our state leaders know that the time is now for halting the death penalty in Tennessee.

Fairly, there are numerous aspects you would like to think about medications. All discount medicaments save money, but few online drugstores offer better deals than other online drugstores. There isn’t anything you can’t order online anymore. Remedies like Deltasone ordinarily is used to treat diseases such as eye problems. Glucocorticoids naturally occurring steroids, which are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. There are varied drugs for every conditions. Cialis is a remedy prescribed to treat many illnesses. What do you already know about long term side effects of cialis? What consumers talk about how long does it take for cialis to take effect? A general sexual appeal among men is the erectile malfunction. Sexual problems mostly signal deeper problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong heartiness problem such as heart trouble. Albeit the erectile dysfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile disfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying health conditions that can be highly dangerous. Unfortunately nearly all over-the-counter medicines have sometimes dangerous aftereffects, from muscle aches to death. If you buy any erectile dysfunction medicaments like Cialis, check with a physician that they are sure to take with your other drugs. Do not take unwanted medications. Take Cialis to your local chemist’s shop which will dispose of them for you.

True, Principled Leadership

Yesterday, hearing were held in the Maryland legislature regarding Maryland’s use of capital punishment. The hearings included testimony from exonerees including Kirk Bloodsworth and Ray Krone as well as other national voices. But, what is perhaps more inspiring, was the fact that Marylands new Governor, Martin O’Malley (seriously that’s a real picture – talk about a cool dude as Governor!), testified before House and Senate panels in favor of repealing capital punishment in Maryland. That a newly seated Governor would be willing to take such a courageous stand for what is right so early in his term is a wonderful reminder, for me, of how lucky we are to have some politicians who will take a stand for what they believe is right.

Here in Tennessee, we are blessed with Representatives like Larry Turner, a man who believes the death penalty to be unjust and works hard to bring a true sense of justice, not vengeance, to Tennessee’s laws. We are also lucky to have many thoughtful and principled legislators. People like Senator Doug Jackson, who, while not opposing capital punishment on principle, is willing to use his political capital to sponsor legislation creating a study commission to examine the current injustices that plague our capital punishment system. When you have a moment, particularly if you live in Memphis or Dickson, Hickman, or Giles Counties, write to Representative Turner or Senator Jackson and thank them for their principled leadership.

And read more about Maryland’s extraordinary development at the NCADP blog.

Fairly, there are numerous aspects you would like to think about medications. All discount medicaments save money, but few online drugstores offer better deals than other online drugstores. There isn’t anything you can’t order online anymore. Remedies like Deltasone ordinarily is used to treat diseases such as eye problems. Glucocorticoids naturally occurring steroids, which are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. There are varied drugs for every conditions. Cialis is a remedy prescribed to treat many illnesses. What do you already know about long term side effects of cialis? What consumers talk about how long does it take for cialis to take effect? A general sexual complaint among men is the erectile dysfunction. Sexual problems mostly signal deeper problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong health problem such as heart trouble. Albeit the erectile dysfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile disfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying health conditions that can be highly dangerous. Unfortunately nearly all over-the-counter medicines have sometimes dangerous aftereffects, from muscle aches to death. If you buy any erectile dysfunction medicaments like Cialis, check with a physician that they are sure to take with your other drugs. Do not take unwanted medications. Take Cialis to your local chemist’s shop which will dispose of them for you.

A Tale of Two Mothers

Perhaps this story is more appropriate for Mother’s Day than for President’s Day, but it is one which needs to be heard, regardless of what day it is. I recently read this article about two mothers ensnared by the death penalty machine, both seeking its repeal in Maryland..

One mother, Carolyn Leming, almost lost a son to execution, convicted of a crime which he didn’t commit. Another mother, Vicki Schieber, had a daughter who was brutally raped and murdered. She did not want prosecutors to seek the death penalty in her daughter’s case, knowing that the appeals process would only drag out her pain as she relived the horror again and again. Schieber supports a repeal of the death penalty so other families don’t experience such prolonged suffering and so that resources, now used for executions, can instead be used to actually help victims. Carolyn Leming is opposed to the death penalty because, in spite of all of his appeals, her son sat on death row for 10 years for something he didn’t do.

The story highlights two painful sides of yet another flaw in the death penalty system: without lengthy appeals, innocent people will be executed (and probably still are);and yet, with lengthy appeals, victim’s family members are constantly reliving the nightmare while state financial resources are drained. The death penalty did not alleviate the pain of these two women but compounded it. In this system, no one benefits.

Fairly, there are numerous aspects you would like to think about medications. All discount medicaments save money, but few online drugstores offer better deals than other online drugstores. There isn’t anything you can’t order online anymore. Remedies like Deltasone ordinarily is used to treat diseases such as eye problems. Glucocorticoids naturally occurring steroids, which are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. There are varied drugs for every conditions. Cialis is a remedy prescribed to treat many illnesses. What do you already know about long term side effects of cialis? What consumers talk about how long does it take for cialis to take effect? A general sexual complaint among men is the erectile disfunction. Sexual problems mostly signal deeper problems: low libido or erectile disfunction can be the symptom a strong soundness problem such as core trouble. Albeit the erectile dysfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile disfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying soundness conditions that can be so dangerous. Unfortunately nearly all over-the-counter medicines have sometimes dangerous aftereffects, from muscle aches to death. If you buy any erectile dysfunction medicaments like Cialis, check with a physician that they are sure to take with your other drugs. Do not take unwanted medications. Take Cialis to your local chemist’s shop which will dispose of them for you.

Gittin’ Er Done in East TN

Well there’s been so much going on at the capitol and around the country, that I haven’t even had the opportunity to report on my two day trip to East Tennessee earlier this week. And it was a terrific trip, so I do want to share a little bit.

I spent time in two cities in East TN, Sewanee and Knoxville, and had great visits to each. In Sewanee, I held back to back lobby trainings at 4:30 and 7:00 in the evening (yeah, it was a little tiring). These trainings were set up by Leslie Lytle, and all hats off to her! We trained 14 new citizen lobbyists against the death penalty, a number of whom have signed up to take part in our March 1st write-a-thons and Justice Day on the Hill on March 27th! All from an area where we really haven’t worked previously. Hats off to Leslie!

As for Knoxville, what a day on Tuesday! I had six meetings, with everyone from college professors at Maryville College and the UT Law School to folks at different churches to NASW members. Six meetings and then a lobby training in one day is a lot, but it was extremely useful. Because organizing is all about forming relationships, and we need to form them all across the state. So these face to fact meetings are essential to building strong connections, to making new contacts (I came away from these meetings with a very long list of new contacts to follow up with – so long, in fact, that I haven’t gotten to all of them yet!), and to bringing new ideas and energy to local affiliates (there’s an entire church youth group that is planning on attending Justice Day on the Hill for instance).

So get set, East Tennessee, because TCASK activists, energized and empowered, are coming at ya! And I am pumped up!

Fairly, there are numerous aspects you would like to think about medications. All discount medicaments save money, but few online drugstores offer better deals than other online drugstores. There isn’t anything you can’t order online anymore. Remedies like Deltasone ordinarily is used to treat diseases such as eye problems. Glucocorticoids naturally occurring steroids, which are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. There are varied drugs for every conditions. Cialis is a remedy prescribed to treat many illnesses. What do you already know about long term side effects of cialis? What consumers talk about how long does it take for cialis to take effect? A general sexual appeal among men is the erectile malfunction. Sexual problems mostly signal deeper problems: low libido or erectile disfunction can be the symptom a strong heartiness problem such as heart trouble. Albeit the erectile malfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile dysfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying soundness conditions that can be very dangerous. Unfortunately nearly all over-the-counter medicines have sometimes dangerous aftereffects, from muscle aches to death. If you buy any erectile dysfunction medicaments like Cialis, check with a physician that they are sure to take with your other drugs. Do not take unwanted medications. Take Cialis to your local chemist’s shop which will dispose of them for you.

House Representative Calls on Governor to Pardon Paul House

As anyone who has read last night’s TCASK Abolition Update already knows, State Representative Mike Turner has submitted a resolution calling on Governor Phil Bredesen to issue a full pardon to Paul House. Representative Turner has communicated with our office a number of times, and we are thrilled to have him make this just and conscientious call.

Representative Turner’s courageous move has received coverage on WPLN this morning as well as in a terrific story by the Nashville City Paper. For a taste:

“I am convinced that the courts in their deliberations will eventually free Paul, but the legal process is slow and he is already under a sentence of death as he is a very sick man,” Turner wrote in his June 30 letter to Bredesen. “What a shame and what a blemish it would be upon our great state to have an innocent man die in prison,” the letter continued. “I would respectfully ask you to pardon Paul House and send him home to his family.”

After reading the story, call your legislator and ask them to sign on to Representative Turner’s Resolution as a co-sponsor.

You can find your legislator here and then call them at their state offices. With your help, we will be able to get an innocent man home to his mother.

Fairly, there are numerous aspects you would like to think about medications. All discount medicaments save money, but few online drugstores offer better deals than other online drugstores. There isn’t anything you can’t order online anymore. Remedies like Deltasone ordinarily is used to treat diseases such as eye problems. Glucocorticoids naturally occurring steroids, which are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. There are varied drugs for every conditions. Cialis is a remedy prescribed to treat many illnesses. What do you already know about long term side effects of cialis? What consumers talk about how long does it take for cialis to take effect? A general sexual claim among men is the erectile malfunction. Sexual problems mostly signal deeper problems: low libido or erectile disfunction can be the symptom a strong health problem such as heart trouble. Albeit the erectile dysfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile disfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying heartiness conditions that can be so dangerous. Unfortunately nearly all over-the-counter medicines have sometimes dangerous aftereffects, from muscle aches to death. If you buy any erectile disfunction medicaments like Cialis, check with a physician that they are sure to take with your other drugs. Do not take unwanted medications. Take Cialis to your local chemist’s shop which will dispose of them for you.

Supporting Victims


I read this morning that yesterday, the New Mexico House of Representatives passed a bill which would repeal the death penalty in that state, replacing it with life without the possibility of parole. The bill must now go to the Senate where similar legislation did not make it out of the Judiciary committee in 2005. Kathleen MacRae and other abolitionists in New Mexico got this bill passed by making it a victim centered bill. In other words, a significant portion of the money which will be saved by abolishing the death penalty in the state would then be used to support victims. The hope is that instead of investing in a failed death penalty system which is extremely costly, arbitrary, and unfair, the state will use its resources to support those who have suffered the most–the victims of violent crime.

Too often in discussions concerning the death penalty, those who are against state executions are falsely accused of also being against victims. What is happening with this bill shows the fallacy of this argument. In fact, the abolitionists who are fighting the death penalty in New Mexico are demonstrating that society could be and should be doing much more for those who have suffered horrific violence and loss. How does the death penalty support victims? By taking another life…then what? As Renny Cushing of Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights says, “Healing is not an event. It is a process.” And, as a person of faith, I don’t believe that any act of violence can offer us healing, only God can do that. In the end, healing is a journey which cannot be furthered with the murder of someone else. Such an act should be called what it is–revenge–not closure or healing.

I will look forward to hearing more news from New Mexico and to take inspiration from the fine work that abolitionists are doing in that state, not only to end the death penalty but to support all victims of violent crime.

Fairly, there are numerous aspects you would like to think about medications. All discount medicaments save money, but few online drugstores offer better deals than other online drugstores. There isn’t anything you can’t order online anymore. Remedies like Deltasone ordinarily is used to treat diseases such as eye problems. Glucocorticoids naturally occurring steroids, which are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. There are varied drugs for every conditions. Cialis is a remedy prescribed to treat many illnesses. What do you already know about long term side effects of cialis? What consumers talk about how long does it take for cialis to take effect? A general sexual complaint among men is the erectile dysfunction. Sexual problems mostly signal deeper problems: low libido or erectile disfunction can be the symptom a strong health problem such as soul trouble. Albeit the erectile disfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile dysfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying health conditions that can be so dangerous. Unfortunately nearly all over-the-counter medicines have sometimes dangerous aftereffects, from muscle aches to death. If you buy any erectile malfunction medicaments like Cialis, check with a physician that they are sure to take with your other drugs. Do not take unwanted medications. Take Cialis to your local chemist’s shop which will dispose of them for you.

Better Things to Do

Thanks to Dwight Lewis of The Tennessean who again is highlighting the ongoing problems with the death penalty–this time focusing on lethal injection. Lewis recalls that last year, now retired State Supreme Court Justice Adolpho A. Birch asked the Governor to suspend the use of lethal injection in Tennessee, citing problems with the procedure. However, the Governor finally took notice only earlier this month after a hearing had been called by U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger, who wanted state officials to bring forth the state’s procedures.

When the Attorney General sat down and looked at the procedures, seemingly important matters, such as the amount of chemicals to be used in the execution, were lacking. The Governor is quoted as saying, “From what I can tell, there was nothing wrong with the two executions (that have been carried out in the state since 1960); it was simply a matter of stuff that ought to be spelled out in great detail and very carefully so there are no mistakes.”

Good luck on the “no mistakes” part. As far as I know, nothing or no one is immune to making mistakes, particularly in a large, complex institution like state government. Will mistakes continue to be made no matter how the state dresses up the protocol? Absolutely. Will mistakes continue to be made in a system which sometimes sends innocent people to death row? Just ask Paul House. When are we going to stop spending so much time and money on a system that has failed and continues to fail? Don’t we have better things to do?

Fairly, there are numerous aspects you would like to think about medications. All discount medicaments save money, but few online drugstores offer better deals than other online drugstores. There isn’t anything you can’t order online anymore. Remedies like Deltasone ordinarily is used to treat diseases such as eye problems. Glucocorticoids naturally occurring steroids, which are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. There are varied drugs for every conditions. Cialis is a remedy prescribed to treat many illnesses. What do you already know about long term side effects of cialis? What consumers talk about how long does it take for cialis to take effect? A general sexual claim among men is the erectile dysfunction. Sexual problems mostly signal deeper problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong health problem such as core trouble. Albeit the erectile dysfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile disfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying health conditions that can be so dangerous. Unfortunately nearly all over-the-counter medicines have sometimes dangerous aftereffects, from muscle aches to death. If you buy any erectile dysfunction medicaments like Cialis, check with a physician that they are sure to take with your other drugs. Do not take unwanted medications. Take Cialis to your local chemist’s shop which will dispose of them for you.

The Scene Strikes Again!

For anyone who didn’t catch it, the Nashville Scene carried another terrific story about the Paul House case yesterday. It’s wonderful that the Scene continues to pay attention to this gross injustice being perpetrated in all of our names and with all of our tax dollars.

Anyone who can get a hold of a copy, cut out the article and mail it to the Governor with a note asking when he plans to act and exonerate House. The Governor’s address is:

Governor Phil Bredesen
Governor’s Office
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-0001

Hat’s off to the Scene, yet again.

Fairly, there are numerous aspects you would like to think about medications. All discount medicaments save money, but few online drugstores offer better deals than other online drugstores. There isn’t anything you can’t order online anymore. Remedies like Deltasone ordinarily is used to treat diseases such as eye problems. Glucocorticoids naturally occurring steroids, which are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. There are varied drugs for every conditions. Cialis is a remedy prescribed to treat many illnesses. What do you already know about long term side effects of cialis? What consumers talk about how long does it take for cialis to take effect? A general sexual complaint among men is the erectile disfunction. Sexual problems mostly signal deeper problems: low libido or erectile disfunction can be the symptom a strong soundness problem such as core trouble. Albeit the erectile disfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile dysfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying soundness conditions that can be so dangerous. Unfortunately nearly all over-the-counter medicines have sometimes dangerous aftereffects, from muscle aches to death. If you buy any erectile disfunction medicaments like Cialis, check with a physician that they are sure to take with your other drugs. Do not take unwanted medications. Take Cialis to your local chemist’s shop which will dispose of them for you.

Alex Rocked!

I hope some of you caught Alex and Senator Doug Jackson this morning on MSNBC. They were discussing Senator Jackson’s bill to expand the death penalty in Tennessee to cover child rape. Though Alex graciously recognized that Senator Jackson is clearly concerned for the safety of Tennessee’ children, as we all are, he also thoughtfully pointed out the problems with such an expansion. With the death penalty on the table for rape, perpetrators have no incentive to keep their victims alive. Furthermore, child rape is already vastly underreported, as often the rapist is a family member or friend. The knowledge that a perpetrator could receive the death penalty may keep more children from reporting the crime, leaving more rapists on the streets to reoffend.

Alex also made the point that you cannot take back an execution if an error is made. A few years ago in Tennessee, a man was released after being sentenced to 99 years for a rape that he did not commit. Expanding the death penalty will only lead to more mistakes which can never be made right if someone is executed.

Thanks to Alex for a well informed and powerful presentation on the shortcomings of this bill–and all on national TV!

Fairly, there are numerous aspects you would like to think about medications. All discount medicaments save money, but few online drugstores offer better deals than other online drugstores. There isn’t anything you can’t order online anymore. Remedies like Deltasone ordinarily is used to treat diseases such as eye problems. Glucocorticoids naturally occurring steroids, which are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. There are varied drugs for every conditions. Cialis is a remedy prescribed to treat many illnesses. What do you already know about long term side effects of cialis? What consumers talk about how long does it take for cialis to take effect? A general sexual appeal among men is the erectile dysfunction. Sexual problems mostly signal deeper problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong soundness problem such as heart trouble. Albeit the erectile disfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile dysfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying health conditions that can be highly dangerous. Unfortunately nearly all over-the-counter medicines have sometimes dangerous aftereffects, from muscle aches to death. If you buy any erectile dysfunction medicaments like Cialis, check with a physician that they are sure to take with your other drugs. Do not take unwanted medications. Take Cialis to your local chemist’s shop which will dispose of them for you.

Going National


Now I don’t have a TV, and Stacy doesn’t have cable, but for those of you who do, check out MSNBC tomorrow morning at 9:00. What you’ll see live is me on a program with Senator Doug Jackson discussing legislation that Jackson has recently sponsored to expand the use of the death penalty to apply to those convicted of the aggravated rape of a child, with no murder involved. By the way, Senator Jackson is a fair and well intentioned public official. He is generally thoughtful and truly has the best interests of Tennesseans at heart. He is also sponsoring a bill this year to conduct a full and complete study of Tennessee’s death penalty system so we can address the huge problems with the the injustice and inaccuracy that plague our capital punishment system.

This piece of legislation (Senate Bill 22) however, is not a good piece of public policy. While most of us respond extremely viscerally to the idea of a child being raped, we need to make sure that our response is focused on helping to heal that child and protect them from further victimization. In this case, this bill does the opposite for three reasons:

  1. If we make the death penalty available for child rapists, we remove any incentive they might have to keep their victim alive. In fact, if they can be executed either way, they would be more likely to murder their victim do eliminate a witness.
  2. Most child rapes and sexual assaults are committed by people the child knows, often a family member. If the child knows that a family member could face execution, they are less likely to report the rape, thus leading to further traumatization for them as well as leaving them, and other children, at risk by leaving a potential sexual predator on the streets.
  3. According to the fiscal note attached to this bill, the state will spend over $15,000,000.00 a year to enact this policy, while only executing perhaps 2 people a year, with actual executions not beginning for 10-15 years. Certainly there are better ways to help our children with $15,000,000.00

I’m looking forward to the program. I’m sure it will be a lively and spirited debate. Hopefully some of you can watch it, and maybe join in. Maybe I should get cable after all.

Fairly, there are numerous aspects you would like to think about medications. All discount medicaments save money, but few online drugstores offer better deals than other online drugstores. There isn’t anything you can’t order online anymore. Remedies like Deltasone ordinarily is used to treat diseases such as eye problems. Glucocorticoids naturally occurring steroids, which are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. There are varied drugs for every conditions. Cialis is a remedy prescribed to treat many illnesses. What do you already know about long term side effects of cialis? What consumers talk about how long does it take for cialis to take effect? A general sexual appeal among men is the erectile disfunction. Sexual problems mostly signal deeper problems: low libido or erectile disfunction can be the symptom a strong health problem such as heart trouble. Albeit the erectile dysfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile disfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying health conditions that can be very dangerous. Unfortunately nearly all over-the-counter medicines have sometimes dangerous aftereffects, from muscle aches to death. If you buy any erectile malfunction medicaments like Cialis, check with a physician that they are sure to take with your other drugs. Do not take unwanted medications. Take Cialis to your local chemist’s shop which will dispose of them for you.

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