Archive for

2014



Year in Review

The flaws in America’s death penalty system rose to the forefront of the nation’s consciousness in 2014. Here is TADP’s year in review:

The United States recorded the fewest number of executions (35) in the past twenty years. Twenty-eight of those 35 occurred in just three states – Texas, Missouri, and Florida. In fact, according to the Death Penalty Information Center Year End Report, there were only 72 death sentences this year, the fewest in forty years.

Botched executions once again revealed the horror of the death penalty, as three inmates – Dennis McGuire (1/16 in Ohio); Clayton Lockett (4/29 in Oklahoma); Joseph Wood (7/23 in Arizona) – experienced torturous deaths because of problems with lethal injection protocols.

A number of states moved to halt executions: Washington Governor Jay Inslee has stated that executions will not occur while he is governor. U.S. District Judge Gregory Frost issued a moratorium in Ohio into 2015. New Hampshire passed legislation to repeal the death penalty by an overwhelming margin in the House (vote of 225-104) but fell one vote short in the Senate. Bi-partisan legislation was brought forward in Kentucky, laying the groundwork for future bills. Lastly, strong repeal efforts are growing in Delaware, Kansas, and Nebraska, to name but a few states.

This year witnessed seven new exonerees (as of December 19) in Louisiana, Florida, two in North Carolina, and three in Ohio, including the nation’s 150th exoneree, Kwame Ajamu. These seven are the most exonerees in the last five years. Another possible exoneree in Arizona, Debra Jean Milke, had her murder charges dismissed. Perhaps most heart-breaking was the exoneration of 14-year old George Stinney, Jr., who was the youngest person executed in the nation. Stinney was cleared seventy years after his wrongful conviction and death. These examples give credence to the University of Michigan Law School study (in April) that projected that 1 in 25 death row inmates are actually innocent.

In what proved to be one of the most dramatic moments of the year, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted Scott Panetti a stay on December 3 after a massive public outcry. Panetti drew the support of many notable conservative politicians and evangelicals due to his severe mental illness. Panetti’s case led to figures like Judge Tom Price of Dallas, a Republican judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, to publicly oppose the death penalty. Judge Price was just one of many new voices that emerged this year in opposition to the death penalty, including corrections officials, law enforcement, judges, conservatives politicians, and evangelical leaders.

In Tennessee, the ongoing legal challenges to the state’s lethal injection protocols, as well as the reinstatement of the electric chair, are sure to dominate the headlines. Execution dates for three inmates have been vacated while the litigation continues. Still seven inmates have execution dates beginning in March 2015.

One case to follow in 2015 will be Michael Rimmer, who will receive a new trial in the upcoming year.  His trial was marred by ineffective assistance from his counsel as well prosecutorial misconduct by Thomas Henderson, who was censured earlier this year. A summary of Rimmer’s case can be read in this USA Today article.

TADP also released the short film, To Honor Life, created and produced by David and Patricia Earnhardt of earnhardt films llc. This short film continues to be viewed by audiences across the state, raising awareness about the growing number of voices speaking out for repeal and educating the public on the problems with the current system. TADP is deeply grateful to the Earnhardts for their generous work on this project.

Lastly, TADP remembers the lifelong contributions of John Seigenthaler and George Barrett for their efforts to end the death penalty in Tennessee. We remain grateful for our many contributors and supporters who make this work possible. We wish you all happy holidays and look forward to the new year where we will continue to honor life by fighting to abolish the death penalty in Tennessee.

Photosource: http://vimeo.com/112572882

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 disfunction can be the symptom a strong soundness problem such as heart 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 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.

Texas’ Quest to Execute Scott Panetti

On December 3rd, 2014, the state of Texas is planning to execute Scott Panetti, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1992 murders of his in-laws.  The execution date, which was made in secret unbeknownst to Panetti’s attorneys, comes despite his attorneys’ consistent argument that Panetti is not competent to be executed because of his severe and persistent mental illness.

Scott Panetti has suffered from schizophrenia for over 30 years, having been hospitalized 13 times prior to his arrest in 1992.  During his trial, he rejected a plea deal for a life sentence and was allowed to represent himself throughout the proceedings, where he attempted to subpoena over 200 witnesses including Jesus Christ, the Pope, and John F. Kennedy. During the trial, Panetti often doodled on legal documents while wearing a cowboy costume for the duration of the trial.  While on death row, his condition has grown increasingly worse and he continues to suffer from paranoid delusions.  Known as “The Preacher” to others on death row, Panetti believes that he is being executed by the state because Satan wants to put an end to him telling others about Jesus Christ.

Despite these presenting psychotic features of severe mental illness and the testimonies of family and medical professionals to his condition, the state has not conducted a competency hearing in seven years and refuses to withdraw the execution.  A clemency petition has been filed on behalf of Panetti, urging a reprieve.

As unbelievable as Panetti’s case sounds, his is not unique.  Too many individuals sitting on death rows nationwide, and who have already been executed, have long histories of severe mental illness that the courts often refuse to acknowledge.  In Tennessee, Billy Ray Irick, who’s recently scheduled execution was delayed, has suffered from severe mental illness since childhood and exhibited psychotic symptoms in the days leading up to the murder for which he was convicted.  None of this information was presented at his trial except during his sentencing hearing, when the jury briefly heard testimony from a social worker who had worked with Irick as a child

The United States Supreme Court has recognized the need for special considerations in regards to the death penalty and severe mental illness, and in Ford v. Wainwright (1986) declared that the execution of the “insane” was unconstitutional. Still those with the most severe mental illnesses continue to be sentenced to death. The National Alliance on Mental illness (NAMI), Mental Health America, and the American Psychological Association, along with many other mental health organizations, condemn the use of capital punishment on those with severe mental illness.

Instead of spending millions of dollars to execute these very ill individuals after a horrible crime has occurred, we could spend those dollars to get citizens who struggle with these illnesses the treatment that they need. If we chose to treat people with mental illness rather than execute them, many of these crimes would never happen in the first place, sparing families and communities these senseless tragedies.

UPDATE:

A large number of conservatives have spoken out on the Panetti case, specifically asking for clemency from Governor Perry.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/01/rick-perry-scott-panetti_n_6250360.html

Still, on December 1, the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole voted 7-0 in favor of clemency for Panetti. With a little over 24 hours until his scheduled execution, the eyes of the world remain on Texas.

Sign the petition to Gov. Rick Perry asking him to spare Scott Panetti’s life:

https://www.change.org/p/gov-rick-perry-spare-my-brother-s-life-a-severely-mentally-ill-man-on-death-row

 

Photo Source: http://media1.s-nbcnews.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070625/070625_panetti_hmed_8a.grid-6×2.jpg

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 malfunction 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 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.

New Book on Nation’s Founders Debunks One More Death Penalty Myth

The average American could be forgiven for not knowing the name Cesare Beccaria, or his impact on this nation’s laws. John Bessler’s new book The Birth of American Law (Carolina Academic Press, 2014), however, seeks to change that by highlighting Beccaria’s influence upon America’s founders. Bessler’s recent Op-Ed in The National Law Journal (a free read by logging in) details Beccaria’s specific influence upon Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and others through his little-known work, On Crime and Punishments. The Italian philosopher deeply opposed the death penalty, and his work, once published into English in 1767, gained a foothold among the leaders of the burgeoning nation.

Nearly 250 years after the publishing of Beccaria’s English edition, criminal justice reform, of which the death penalty is a key part, reemerges as a major issue within American politics. None other than former President Bill Clinton recently claimed that candidates in the 2016 Presidential election would have to address these issues. In recent years, the Constitution has been a wedge in modern politics, yet Bessler’s work is a timely addition to the ongoing debate on the Founders’ intentions for the nation. Regardless, this book debunks yet another myth about the death penalty in America.

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 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 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.

Equal Justice Initiative’s Bryan Stevenson brings more attention to the death penalty, mass incarceration

The last few days have been a bit of whirlwind for Bryan Stevenson of Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), a whirlwind for which activists in the death penalty and mass incarceration movements will surely reap the benefits. Stevenson’s book Just Mercy was released on Tuesday, October 21 to good reviews such as this one in the New York Times. This coming just a few days after the Times covered Stevenson’s EJI work, referencing Desmond Tutu’s appraisal of Stevenson as “America’s young Nelson Mandela.” But perhaps Stevenson’s appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart brought the most attention to the critical issues within the movement right now, given the show’s millions of nightly viewers.

Bryan Stevenson’s work is emblematic of the daily fight those within the death penalty abolition movement pursue, as well as those who take up other causes. As Stevenson uses his platform to draw more attention to these issues, we are reminded to do the same, particularly during election season. Who will speak up for the poor and disenfranchised, the imprisoned and those to be executed? We urge you to get involved, particularly as ten men are scheduled to die in Tennessee.

Photo source: http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2014/10/bryan_stevenson_huntsville_ims.html

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 soul 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 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.

Haslam Earns the Tennessean’s Endorsement…with a Caveat

On Sunday, the Tennessean endorsed Governor Bill Haslam for a second term, citing his leadership on issues ranging from higher education, Tennessee’s economy, and a tough response to domestic violence. Additionally, Haslam was lauded for displaying leadership to temper the more extreme factions of his party. All of this led the editorial staff to conclude that the governor deserved a second term.

However, the paper thought there was room for improvement as well, specifically naming capital punishment as one area that required more leadership from Haslam. They challenged Haslam’s long-stated stance that the “will of the people” is sufficient reason to back off of personal convictions. “As governor, we believe he should be the voice of reason,” the Tennessean stated, “balancing compassion with law and order.” The paper’s endorsement comes on the same day that death row inmate Olen Hutchison died of natural causes while awaiting a May 2015 execution date. Although Hutchison was not even present during the murder for which he faced execution, he was circumstantially implicated by co-defendants who obtained reduced sentences for their testimony. Former Chief Justice Reid of the Tennessee Supreme Court decried the death penalty for Hutchison and the District Attorney General who prosecuted the case concedes there is room for honest doubt as to whether death was ever the appropriate punishment.

The Tennessean is right that a second term gives the Governor another opportunity to conduct a serious review of the state’s failing death penalty.  As more Tennesseans understand just how flawed this system is, the “will of the people” is shifting. If the death penalty is, in fact, a system that metes out arbitrary sentences and subsequent punishments costing taxpayers millions without making us safer, then Governor Haslam must exercise his authority, reason, and compassion to speak honestly and lead the people of Tennessee to understand just how flawed the policy is. This is what a leader does.

Photo source: http://www.tn.gov/governor/about.shtml

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 disfunction. 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 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 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.

World Day against the Death Penalty

Today, October 10th, marks the 12th annual World Day against the Death Penalty. Abolitionists around the world are taking this day to highlight the systemic failures of the death penalty. This year the day’s focus is on the continued practice of executing those with severe mental illness. The U.S. Supreme Court has established that those who are legally “insane” should not be executed, and yet the legal definition of “insanity” has not kept pace with the medical understanding of severe mental illness. Thus the inhumane practice continues.

Billy Ray Irick, who recently received a temporary reprieve from the Tennessee courts delaying his scheduled Oct. 7 execution, is just one of the individuals on Tennessee’s death row who suffers from severe mental illness. Irick was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of seven-year-old Paula Kay Dyer in 1985, a child he baby-sat for two years while living as an “adopted” member of her family. Irick’s story of mental illness began in early childhood. By the age of eight, he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and given anti-psychotic medication for 10 months. His struggles with mental illness is well-documented and continued into adulthood. Though at the time of the murder, Irick was exhibiting class signs of someone in a psychotic state, the only evidence of mental illness that his lawyers briefly presented came during the sentencing hearing of his trial.

In Tennessee and other states around the country, millions of dollars are spent on maintaing the death penalty, while mental health and victims’ support services are being underfunded and hospitals closed. If we used our resources more proactively to focus on treatment and support for those with severe and persistent mental illness, the tragic murder of Paula Kay Dyer might have been averted.

On this year’s World Day against the Death Penalty, we encourage you to write your state lawmakers and the Governor to share your concerns about the death penalty, particularly the execution of those with severe mental illness.  Let’s treat those with severe mental illness and not execute them.

 

Photo source: http://www.worldcoalition.org/media/allpics/ad139c7a79cd680378b01be9eb7958a2_2.jpg

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 malfunction 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 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.

New Report Show Survivors of Violent Crime Not Getting Needed Help

Last night I visited First United Methodist Church of Murfreesboro to serve as the guest speaker for the last class of an eight- week series on the death penalty.  And, as in most discussions about the death penalty, participants invariably tried to put themselves in the shoes of those who have lost loved ones to murder. They wondered how they would feel, react, respond to such a horrific event.  Most really couldn’t fathom such a reality, never mind imagine what they might need in terms of emotional, spiritual, financial, and community support. None of us ever wants to be in a position to know how we might respond, what we might need. It is just too devastating to think about.

Still, for far too many people, the issue is not theoretical but all too real. They are living in the wake of violent crime with all its ripple effects. A report just released from the Department of Justice determined that nearly 70% of people suffer severe social or emotional problems after being the victim of a violent crime, but only about 12% of those individuals receive help from victim services. Just over half of victims who suffer from such problems report the crime to the police.

This is unacceptable.  Though I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers in how to reach all these hurting people, I am convinced that the pursuit of the death penalty only shifts attention and resources away from the needs of the surviving families and instead focuses our energy and resources on the perpetrator, often for decades in pursuit of the death penalty before the sentence is carried out, if ever. What would it be like if instead, we relied on alternatives sentences that provided legal finality to surviving families much quicker while focusing our resources and attention on how to best meet their needs long-term and  to get help for all those impacted by violent crime.

If this was our course of action, we would actually serve to heal and restore lives and communities, not only helping those most impacted by the violence but also helping to reduce possible future violence by the walking wounded whose needs for healing were never met. Some of these very wounded individuals will end up in our jails and prisons only after more damage has been done.

The state of Maryland recently took part of the savings from repeal of the death penalty and allocated it to assist surviving family members of murder. This is a positive first step in identifying the needs of victims’ families and getting them the help that they need. Though Tennessee has wonderful advocates working on behalf of crime victims everyday, imagine how much more these advocates could do with greater resources and support. With more budget cuts looming in out state, Tennesseans must decide what is most important to us, what we most value, and what is best for our communities. This report gives us all something to think about.

 

 

 

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 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 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.

Irick Execution Delayed

On September 25th, the Tennessee State Supreme Court delayed the scheduled execution of Billy Ray Irick, originally slated for October 7, while litigation is pending.  This means that Irick will not be executed on October 7 and that his execution will be rescheduled. TADP is grateful for this temporary reprieve and has postponed the vigil scheduled for that day in both Nashville and Memphis.

As we await and see how the courts will rule, we continue to encourage all TADP supporters to sign and share the open letter to Governor Haslam in order to gather as many signatures as possible before a new date is set.

TADP will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

 

Photograph from  the Tennessean.

 

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 malfunction can be the symptom a strong health 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 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 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.

National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

Today we take time to remember all those who have lost their lives to murder as well as their grieving family, friends, and communities. TADP is deeply grateful for the individuals and organizations in Tennessee that work to support and advocate for victims of violence and their families and for those whose work focuses on crime prevention and making our communities safer for everyone.

We at TADP are continually humbled by the stories of the surviving family members of murder victims in our state. We hope that in our work, we can broaden the conversation to go beyond how to punish those who offend and instead focus our energy and resources more on how to support those who have been so deeply offended.  The needs of murder victims’ families are many–emotional, financial, spiritual–and don’t end when a trial is over.  For some families, cases go unsolved and they live everyday without any answers.

Today is about remembering those whose lives were taken senselessly and too soon while also reflecting on how we as a society can offer families so much more as they struggle to put their lives together again.  Take a moment to say a prayer, light a candle, or sit in silence to honor these individuals today.

 

 

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 heartiness 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.

Equal Justice Initiative’s Bryan Stevenson honored by Belmont University

On September 22 in Nashville, Bryan Stevenson received the 2014 Belmont College of Law Champions for Justice Award. Stevenson works on a number of criminal justice issues, including the death penalty and sentencing reforms as the founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative (Montgomery, AL). Stevenson’s tireless work, particularly on behalf of people of color suffering disproportionately in the current criminal justice system, earned him this latest accolade.

Stevenson encouraged the packed chapel of students, administrators, faculty, and community activists to place themselves within the proximity of those who are suffering in order to truly understand the wounds inflicted by poverty, incarceration, and lack of opportunity. He acknowledged that  the work to alleviate such suffering will not be easy, and as Mrs. Rosa Parks once told him when she was visiting Montgomery, “it will make you tired, tired, tired.”  Nevertheless, Stevenson called people of faith to be hopeful in their work, giving examples of transformation, even in unlikely people and places, that occur all the time when people get educated or connected to those who suffer under the current system. Stevenson’s final charge was for all attendees to remember that no person can be categorized by the worst thing that they have done–there is more to everyone that that. For people of faith, who hold to the power of redemption and work for criminal justice reform, Stevenson’s reminder was a powerful concluding word.

We applaud Belmont Law School for honoring Bryan Stevenson, even as our state prepares to execute eleven men. The courts continue to deliberate about Tennessee’s lethal injection protocols, the state’s secrecy around the source of the lethal injection drugs, as well as the possible use of the electric chair. The clock is ticking as Billy Ray Irick’s execution is set for October 7, 2014.  If you have not yet signed the open letter to the Governor encouraging him to halt all executions until system can be reviewed please do so here.  TADP is planning a vigil should this execution move forward to occur in Nashville at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution at 5:30 on Oct. 7 and in Memphis at noon on at First United Methodist Church, 204 N. Second St. 38105.

Also, if you wish to know more about Bryan Stevenson check out Equal Justice Initiative as well as Stevenson’s new book Just Mercy set to be released on October 21, 2014. You can also listen to Stevenson’s TED Talk here. Stevenson will be back in Nashville at the Re-Visioning Justice Conference at Vanderbilt University as a keynote speaker, along with Howard Zehr, from April 17-19, 2015, hosted by the Cal Turner Program for Moral Leadership.

 

Photo source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Stevenson

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 soundness 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 heartiness 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.

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