Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past is this year’s theme for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 10-16, 2011.  During this week, communities across the country will plan events to mark the occasion. The voices of families of murder victims have been a vital part of our past and continue to shape our future. It is important for all of us to take a moment this year and participate in events marking National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in our communities. 

On Tuesday, April 5^th at 6pm, Friendship Baptist Church, located at 1109 32^nd. Avenue North in Nashville, will be hosting the film, “HEAVEN’S RAIN.” This is a powerful story told by former Oklahoma state senator Brooks Douglass and is a tribute to the love and faith of Brooks’ parents who were murdered in 1979. You can go to www.heavensrainmovie.com for more information

Let’s take time during this week and throughout the year to remember and honor all who have been touched by crime and their families.

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 malfunction. Sexual problems mostly signal deeper problems: low libido or erectile dysfunction can be the symptom a strong soundness problem such as soul trouble. Albeit the erectile dysfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile dysfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying health conditions that can be very much 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.

In the March 10 op-ed section of the Chicago Tribune, author and attorney Scott Turow details why the abolition of the death penalty should be viewed not only as a victory for progressives, but also one for conservatives. In “The Right Has Reason to Applaud”, Turow puts forth three conservative reasons for abolishing the death penalty: it is a failed government program, it is extremely costly, and it goes against the notion of limited government.  Speaking to the death penalty as a costly, failed public policy, Turow writes, “Despite decades of legislation and litigation aimed at establishing procedural bulwarks, the imposition of the death penalty in Illinois remained haphazard… Of course, if the death penalty clearly served a practical purpose like saving lives, these increased costs might be worth it. But in Illinois we have experienced a steady decline in our murder rate since Gov. Ryan first declared the moratorium on executions in January 2000 that has remained in place since.” In closing, Turow directly addresses the conservative notion of limited government, concluding “The conservative-libertarian view that says that the powers of government must be strictly limited supports drawing a clear line prohibiting a democratic government from ever lawfully killing any of the citizens from whom it draws power. That way a regime that vanquished its political enemies or executed despised minorities would mark itself, whatever the legal rigmarole, as an outlaw. At the end of the day, Illinois’ abolition of capital punishment is part of an evolving national recognition that the death penalty is truly un-American.”

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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 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 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 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.

Georgia’s supply of the lethal injection drug, sodium thiopental, was seized on Tuesday by federal drug enforcement agents, ensuring that all Georgia executions are off until the issue is settled. 

Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Chuvalo Truesdell wouldn’t say exactly why Georgia’s supply of sodium thiopental was confiscated,  just that “we had questions about how the drug was imported to the U.S.”

The drug, which attorneys claim was acquired through a “fly-by-night supplier operating from the back of a driving school in England,” was used in January to execute Emmanuel Hammond in Georgia.  The attorneys for Hammond said the drug could have been counterfeit.  The DEA spokesman said he was not sure if other states’ supplies of sodium thiopental were also being collected by the agency. 

Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, and Tennessee have all obtained sodium thiopental from British sources. 

Read more here. 

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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 heartiness 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 heartiness 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 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.

Dr. Mark Osler, law professor at the University of St. Thomas  School of Law in Minnesota, former prosecutor, and author of the book Jesus on Death Row, posted a powerful reflection on the Huffington Post yesterday about Governor Quinn’s decision to repeal the death penalty in Illinois. Dr. Osler gave voice to the gravity and difficulty of that decision.

Now, as Christian’s journey through the season of Lent, Osler, a Baptist,  makes the connection to Jesus and a decision that he made in a comparable situation.

This reflection reminds us that as we debate and legislate the issue of the death penalty, we must always remember the tragedy that lies at its core: a violent murder leading to the unspeakable pain of victims’ families; the suffering of the families of those on death row, the life of the condemned, and the toll the system takes on all those who are directly impacted.        

Read the post here.

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 dysfunction can be the symptom a strong health problem such as heart trouble. Albeit the erectile malfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile disfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying health conditions that can be very much 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.

Today I have signed Senate Bill 3539, which abolishes the death penalty in Illinois.

For me, this was a difficult decision, quite literally the choice between life and death. This was not a decision to be made lightly, or a decision that I came to without deep personal reflection.

Since the General Assembly passed this bill, I have met or heard from a wide variety of people on both sides of the issue. I have talked with prosecutors, judges, elected officials, religious leaders from around the world, families of murder victims, people on death row who were exonerated and ordinary citizens who have taken the time to share their thoughts with me. Their experiences, words and opinions have made a tremendous impact on my thinking, and I thank everyone who reached out on this matter.

After their guidance, as well as much thought and reflection, I have concluded that our system of imposing the death penalty is inherently flawed. The evidence presented to me by former prosecutors and judges with decades of experience in the criminal justice system has convinced me that it is impossible to devise a system that is consistent, that is free of discrimination on the basis of race, geography or economic circumstance, and that always gets it right.

As a state, we cannot tolerate the executions of innocent people because such actions strike at the very legitimacy of a government. Since 1977, Illinois has seen 20 people exonerated from death row. Seven of those were exonerated since the moratorium was imposed in 2000. That is a record that should trouble us all. To say that this is unacceptable does not even begin to express the profound regret and shame we, as a society, must bear for these failures of justice.

Since our experience has shown that there is no way to design a perfect death penalty system, free from the numerous flaws that can lead to wrongful convictions or discriminatory treatment, I have concluded that the proper course of action is to abolish it. With our broken system, we cannot ensure justice is achieved in every case. For the same reason, I have also decided to commute the sentences of those currently on death row to natural life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole or release.

I have found no credible evidence that the death penalty has a deterrent effect on the crime of murder and that the enormous sums expended by the state in maintaining a death penalty system would be better spent on preventing crime and assisting victims’ families in overcoming their pain and grief.

To those who say that we must maintain a death penalty for the sake of the victims’ families, I say that it is impossible not to feel the pain of loss that all these families share or to understand the desire for retribution that many may hold. But, as I heard from family members who lost loved ones to murder, maintaining a flawed death penalty system will not bring back their loved ones, will not help them to heal and will not bring closure to their pain. Nothing can do that. We must instead devote our resources toward the prevention of crime and the needs of victims’ families, rather than spending more money to preserve a flawed system.

The late Cardinal Joseph Bernadin observed, “[i]n a complex, sophisticated democracy like ours, means other than the death penalty are available and can be used to protect society.” In our current criminal justice system, we can impose extremely harsh punishments when warranted. Judges can impose sentences of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Where necessary and appropriate, the state can incarcerate convicted criminals in maximum security prisons. These means should be sufficient to satisfy our need for retribution, justice and protection.

As Governor, I took an oath to uphold our state’s Constitution and faithfully execute our laws. Honoring that oath often requires making difficult decisions, but I have found none to be as difficult as the one I made today. I recognize that some may strongly disagree with this decision, but I firmly believe that we are taking an important step forward in our history as Illinois joins the 15 other states and many nations of the world that have abolished the death penalty.

Watch here

Picture by Randy von Liski

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 heartiness problem such as soul 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 much 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.

After weeks of speculation, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn gathered with death penalty opponents in a private bill-signing ceremony late Wednesday morning in his Springfield office, repealing the state’s death penalty. Funds from the Capital Litigation Trust Fund will be reallocated to provide law enforcement training and services to families of homicide victims. Governor Quinn had until March 18 to sign or veto the legislation or it would automatically become law. The Illinois House passed the repeal legislation 60-54 on January 6 with the Senate voting 32-25 in favor on January 11.  Illinois becomes the fourth state in the country to repeal the death penalty since 2005, following New York, New Jersey, and New Mexico.

Illinois has been under a moratorium for ten years, has had two study commissions, and passed dozens of reforms to try and make the death penalty work. And now, after the amazing work of the Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, Illinois exonerees,  surviving family members of murder victims, and efforts from citizens nationwide, the legislature and the Governor have acknowledged that the system is broken beyond repair. Illinois can now devote its resources to measures that actually prevent violent crime and support victims’ families.

Illinois was the first state to impose a moratorium on executions in January 2000, sparking a new national conversation on the death penalty that has continued throughout the decade. Illinois was the first state to shine a spotlight on the death penalty’s flaws and many states have made changes since then.

In a statement Governor Quinn said, “Since our experience has shown that there is no way to design a perfect death penalty system, free from the numerous flaws that can lead to wrongful convictions or discriminatory treatment, I have concluded that the proper course of action is to abolish it. With our broken system, we cannot ensure justice is achieved in every case. For the same reason, I have also decided to commute the sentences of those currently on death row to natural life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole or release. I have found no credible evidence that the death penalty has a deterrent effect on the crime of murder and that the enormous sums expended by the state in maintaining a death penalty system would be better spent on preventing crime and assisting victims’ families in overcoming their pain and grief.”

Thanks to all of you who helped make history by calling Governor Quinn and asking him to sign this bill.

Picture by Randy von Liski

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 soundness problem such as core trouble. Albeit the erectile dysfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile malfunction 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.

People across the country are carefully watching and listening to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. Governor Quinn, in response, is listening to them. Following the passage of a bill by the Illinois legislature in January that repeals the state’s death penalty, Governor Quinn has spent a great deal of time listening to death penalty opponents and proponents alike. He has heard from death penalty opponents Desmond Tutu, Sister Helen Prejean, former Governor Bill Richardson, and exonerated death row inmates. He has spoken with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who supports the continuation of the death penalty. He has heard from victim’s family members on both sides of the issue.

With all the voices surrounding him, Governor Quinn remains remarkably silent about whether or not he plans to sign the legislation. Brought up Roman Catholic, Governor Quinn has stated he supports capital punishment in theory, but has also allowed the states 11 year moratorium on executions to remain in place during his term. Governor Quinn has until March 18th to act on the bill. When he does, people will be listening.

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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 soundness problem such as core trouble. Albeit the erectile dysfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile dysfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying heartiness 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.

A recent article by Mark Curriden in the ABA Journal examines how lauded defense attorney Lionel Barrett’s ineffective counsel may have landed his client, Abu-Ali Abdur’Rahman, on death row. Having interviewed Barrett for the piece, Curriden presents compelling evidence that Barrett’s lack of preparation for trial, which included failing to review Abdur’Rahman’s extensive history of mental illness and abuse, directly contributed to a death sentence. Barrett does not deny the charges of incompetency, stating, “My biggest failure was that I did not explore more into the facts of his mental illness and mental history… I have no excuse for how I mishandled this case.” Curriden also discusses how Barrett failed to have a key piece of evidence, Abdur’Rahman’s “bloody” coat, tested by experts. The blood that supposedly covered the defendant’s coat was actually paint from his work.

After coming within 36 hours of execution before intervention by the Supreme Court, Abdur’Rahman’s case is now being litigated through the appeals process by Nashville attorney William Redick. Redick, who states that he is a good friend of Lionel Barrett, is quoted in the article, saying, “Lionel was a damn good lawyer … but his defense—or lack thereof—is why Abu-Ali may be put to death.”

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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 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 disfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile dysfunction 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 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.

High school and college students from across the state gathered at Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday to attend the 5th Annual Student Conference on the Death Penalty. Keynote speakers Nick and Amanda Wilcox opened the conference, addressing the nearly 180 conference attendees. In recounting the story of their daughter’s murder, committed by a man with severe and persistent mental illness, Nick and Amanda spoke about the need for mental health reform and how current programs fail to seriously address many of the needs faced by those with mental illness and their families. Following the keynote address, students attended workshops, including Death Penalty 101, Mental Illness and the Death Penalty, and Sharing Our Stories: Murder Victims’ Families  Speak. These workshops were facilitated by local experts from the field, as well as those who have been directly affected by the system, like Paul House – Tennessee’s second death row exoneree – and his mother, Joyce.

Following lunch, the students shared what they had learned during the conference and brainstormed ways to take that information back to their respective campuses. Some students even shared that the conference had changed their opinion on the death penalty!

We hope that this conference will lead to more education and empowerment statewide, as these energized young people return to their campuses ready to spread the word and take action.  Thanks to all who participated in making this year’s conference our biggest yet!

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 malfunction can be the symptom a strong health problem such as heart trouble. Albeit the erectile dysfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile malfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying heartiness conditions that can be extremely 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.

Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty’s fifth annual Student Conference on the Death Penalty will take place this Saturday at Middle Tennessee State University. The conference will  feature nationally-renowned activists Nick and Amanda Wilcox. Nick and Amanda’s world was turned upside-down when their daughter, Laura, was killed in a rampage shooting by a man with severe and persistent mental illness. Feeling compelled to dedicate themselves to the goal of reducing violence, Nick and Amanda began advocating for improved mental health care and death penalty repeal. “Laura’s Law”, which allows for court ordered assisted outpatient treatment for persons with severe and persistent mental illness, was named after their daughter and was enacted in California in 2002.

The keynote address will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by workshops, letter writing, and time for planning events to be held on participants’ campuses following the conference. This year’s workshops include Death Penalty 101 with special guests Joyce and Paul House (House was Tennessee’s 2^nd death row exoneree); Mental Illness and the Death Penalty; and Murder Victim’s Families Speak, featuring James Staub, whose mother was murdered when he was 12 years old. The conference is free and lunch is provided, as well as a TADP t-shirt!

If you haven’t registered, click here to get signed 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 disfunction. 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 malfunction itself isn’t necessarily dangerous, erectile dysfunction is sometimes one of the early warning symptoms of other underlying soundness conditions that can be much 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.