Tell us More, Bill!

I'm behind, Bill, & would love to know more on your speaking tours & events? Maybe Randy or Esther or somebody else has heard more? If so, let me know... And, by the way, FB has some new ones out from Angela (just 3 hours ago) and another a short wile back from Charity. Ms. Kearns also keeps 'em coming. Great consistent work, Journey family! Bill, plz call me Tuesday if possible?

Thanx,
Connie

From: Bill Pelke
http://www.phadp.org/?q=node%2F215 or if you get this on The JOurney blog, my might want to GO to FB to see comments, more links maybe?

Journey of Hope with Bill Pelke in Roanoke | Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty
www.phadp.org
Bill Pelke told the story last week of the brutal killing of his sweet, white haired grandmother and how her death made a life change for him...
Like · Comment · February 22 at 9:34pm · .Randy Gardner and Esther Brown like this..

Father Forgives Murderer of Daughter -- Desmond Tutu and others on Forgiveness

photo found at onbeing.org (onbeing listener/reader from Tennessee)

From the producer Shubha Bala: In response to last week’s show, Hector Black pointed us to this StoryCorps interview. The listener from Tennessee tells the story of his daughter being murdered in her home and his process of seeking vengeance and granting forgiveness:

“I’d never been in favor of the death penalty, but, I wanted that man to hurt — the way that he had hurt her. I wanted him to hurt the way I was hurting. But after a while I wanted to know who it was…”

The father narrates the events in detail — from the murder of his daughter to the process of wanting revenge, and ultimately to granting forgiveness. The heinousness of the crime makes me think of Desmond Tutu speaking about forgiveness during the South African truth and reconciliation process. He said you would think there are things that are unforgivable, like the horrendous violence of apartheid. And yet, he says, they saw many people who ought to have been bristling with bitterness and anger but actually embraced their perpetrators when they met face-to-face.

In some small way, it’s a good lesson reminding me that it should take much less mental work to forgive the person that steals your parking spot or cuts in front of you in line.

To hear this short interview GO here for 24-25 February 2012 -- look for Desmond Tutu and the God of Surprises -- then see the full story which includes other episodes.

You may find a bit more on this much earlier story at StoryCorps NPR Features Story of a Father Who Forgave His Daughter deathpenaltyinfo.org/node/2305 or GO here

Be sure to hear the Bishop Desmond Tutu interview as well. Desmond Tutu, South African archbishop emeritus and Nobel laureate, spends intimate time and joyous conversation with Krista Tippett and the radio/podcast audiences.

Desmond Tutu says here that despite all the evil and suffering in the world, human beings are "remarkable things" who are "made for goodness." On Being with Krista Tippett explores how his understanding of God and humanity has unfolded through the history he's helped shaped.

Blogger's note: Just this AM Saturday, 25 February 2012 I was re-reading Bishop Tutu's remarks in the classic book on forgiveness (stories and dialogues) "The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness" help demonstrate his eloquence, compassion for fellow writers' various perspectives and his deep indomitable heart. Here are some excerpts from that brief page and a half by the Bishop:

"There is another side (to the cruelty)--the story of the victims, the survivors who werre made to suffer so grievously, yet despite this are ready to forgive. This magnanimity, this nobility of spirit, is quite breathtakingly unbelievable. I have often felt I should say, 'Let us take off our shoes," because at this moment we were standing on holy ground."

And

"It is clear that if we look only to retributive justice, then we could just as well close up shop. Forgiveness is not some nebulous thing...Without forgiveness, there is no future."

Rais Bhuiyan's Mission for a World Without Hate

Rais Bhiuyan (An American citizen who survived a confused attacker's 39 pellets, lost use of one eye and turned the man who might have been called his enemy into his friend.)

For much more see World Without Hate website here

"You have brought a wonderful opportunity for dialogue. This could very well open the door to people of all faiths, nationalities, and colors to communicate."
- S.Chambers, Canada (In support of the movement: World Without Hate)

Very Short Plea for an end to hate by Rais Bhuiyan here

Plz see this newly-uploaded YouTube Video and Presentation IANT Winter Conf-6-Rais Bhuiyan - Peace & Forgiveness here

Also see a blogpost by Reprieve member Tineke Harris here

More Comments from (World Without Hate) Supporter:

"It’s amazing, not only do I have…friends fighting to stop this but I have a lot of the Islamic community joining forces…this is bigger than me or Rais…. BUT it starts with Rais’ forgiveness…and I see this as a chance to join a lot of people from many walks of life together…to be able to Stop the Hate."
- Mark Stroman

"Your actions reflect on you as a good human being and on the ability of Islam. You are a credit to the capacity to do good. "
- A. Scheinman

"Faith demands much, but when it is real it rewards us with peace."
- L. Rivas

"And I should say that I respect you immensely for what you have done, and no doubt for what you will do. It seems strange to me that, when virtually every mother in the world teaches us compassion, so many of our mothers' children end up being taught by the government that they should cry for revenge".
- Clive Stafford Smith Director, Reprieve, UK

"We are a praying people and an action-oriented people, and our clergy have been so very moved by your leadership, depth, piety and vision. It would be the honor and pride of All Saints to have you teach to us"
- Rev. Carissa Baldwin, All Saints Church, CA, USA

"Your story brought me to tears. I am encouraged by your spirit of forgiveness and patience - and to hear there really are people in this troubled world capable of such bountiful love. Thank you for the work you do - raising awareness can be a tough slog - blessings to you and your companions"!
- Janet Leeder, Calgary, Canada

"Thank you for the way you show the world your compassion. It is so wonderful and powerful to feel it. You are a great model for me and very inspiring".
- Peter Waalkens, Neitherlands

"I am a college student studying international relations and religion at American University. I have become so moved by your story. You have demonstrated a rare kind of compassion and strength. Through this website and your interviews, people can hear your story and realize the importance of tolerance and forgiveness. My life has been changed by reading your story".
- Emily Fleitz,Ohio, USA

"Your response to a horrific situation is so inspiring. Know that you are an excellent example to millions of people".
- Kevin Michelson, Tennesy, USA

"You are the kind of person this world needs more of. I am not a spiritual believer but I do what is good in my heart and it is people like yourself that inspire me to treat my fellow man greater than I expect to be treated".
- Mathias Jonsson, Sweden

"I am humbled by your capacity to forgive... I haven’t come across many people who can forgive that way. Your attacker is an easy man to hate and yet you were able to let go of that and even fight for him to keep his life. The world needs more people like you and the few minutes I took to read the article on CNN truly would provide me with a lifetime of enlightenment".
- Katrina Matias, Philippines.

"A world without hate is the world I dream of." - R. Neal, England

Journey Links for Updates

FB Wall: where Debbie Kearns keeps current connections going & stays on top of many concerns. Also folk sometimes stop by for a comment or extra note - go here (OK to simply read/copy paste/ as a non-member without fearing pressure to sign-on.)

Where Bill Pelke has been offering an occasional heartfelt diary entry and plans to add more soon here

A good page for more links with great photo of "the other Bill" and the kids. GO
here

RANDY's page with video and his mission site here

CHARITY's The Ella Foundation see this amazing story of healing and mission in progress. Go here

Find ANGELA's links in various posts much earlier, just below Aba Gayle's & in Comments here and on FB -- SEE ALSO Bill's comments on his diary during the time of his trip to Uganda.

Be sure to also peruse the links offered to the lower right of our blog posts - especially Dr. Rich Halperin's "Death Penalty News and Updates" which (if he's not traveling) are often daily - much more available and noted most of the time than on most the other links.

Again remember the JOURNEY's FaceBook page (don't have to be a member of FB nor even to sign in to READ) Simply GO here

Find an older page of links and GREAT photo of "the other Bill" here

====================
Also FIND items on a new friend's campaign World Without Hate.org who worked extensively with Dr. Rick Halperin, another Journey friend, and with Reprieve in US and Dallas. Rais "calling" is all about our Journey theme of FORGIVENESS...

Be sure to check in often with the links provided in lower right page of this site...
Especially OFTEN to Dr. Rick Halperin's Death Penalty News and Updates.

"Love is Just a Matter of Practice"

Can we make this LOVE DAY one of compassion and forgiveness, a love day for all?...

See more at World Without Hate here and here

*** See the full post about Rais speaking with High School Students here

From Rumi: Mature yourself and be secure from a change for the worse. Become the light. Only from the HEART Can you touch the sky.

NC Racial Justice Act (RJA) is getting attention worldwide

Here's one of the latest -- Published: 01:51 AM, Wed Feb 08, 2012
by Fayetteville Observer

Ruling blocks judge's answer in Racial Justice Act hearing

Paul Woolverton of Retired Superior Court Judge E. Lynn Johnson, who presided over the 1994 trial of Racial Justice Act claimant Marcus Reymond Robinson, testified Tuesday afternoon at Robinson's Racial Justice Act hearing at the Cumberland County Courthouse.

Staff writer
Retired Superior Court Judge E. Lynn Johnson, who presided over Marcus Reymond Robinson's 1994 murder trial, was repeatedly blocked on Tuesday afternoon at Robinson's Racial Justice Act hearing from testifying on whether he observed racism in the trial.

In a related issue, lawyers for the news media on Tuesday morning argued successfully to prevent the courtroom from being closed to the public during Johnson's testimony.

Robinson's is the first racism claim to be considered before a judge under the controversial Racial Justice Act of 2009, a law that provides death row inmates a mechanism to have their sentences converted to life without parole. His case is expected to set precedent on how more than 150 other Racial Justice Act claims will be handled.

Robinson, who is black, was convicted of killing Erik Tornblom, who is white, during a 1991 robbery. He asserts that prosecutor John Dickson illegally prevented black potential jurors from serving on his jury, which had nine whites, two blacks and one American Indian.

Further, Robinson's lawyers have a study of 173 of North Carolina's capital trials that suggests a pattern of racial discrimination against blacks in the selection of jurors throughout the state.

Prosecutors Cal Colyer and Rob Thompson argued that Johnson was in a key position to say whether there was racism in the selection of the Robinson jury. They contend Dickson had legitimate, nonracial reasons when he used peremptory challenges to dismiss some jurors who happened to be black, and wanted Johnson to say so.

"Sir, based upon your observations as the trial judge, was race a significant factor in the state's peremptory strikes against black jurors in the case of the state of North Carolina vs. Marcus Robinson?" Colyer asked Johnson.

Robinson's lawyers objected to the question; Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Greg Weeks sustained the objection. Colyer then objected and announced he took exception to the ruling, and Weeks noted it for the record.

The lawyers and judge repeated the litany dozens of times through the afternoon on various details of Robinson's and another capital murder trial.

Robinson lawyers Malcolm "Tye" Hunter and James Ferguson II didn't want Johnson on the stand in the first place. Citing law on judges' conduct, rules for conducting court and prior court rulings, they said neither Johnson nor approximately six other judges who have been subpoenaed should be allowed to testify.

Judges are normally precluded from publicly discussing their decision-making and opinions outside of the proceedings they preside over, Hunter argued. And he said the trial transcripts and other court documents serve as the official record of what happened, not any statement that a judge might make now.

They suggested that Weeks could take written statements on the judges' thoughts and seal them or allow their testimony, but close the courtroom to the public. This would allow Colyer and Thompson to get the judges' testimony into the record for review by an appeals court even if Weeks determined it would be inappropriate to consider their testimony when deciding whether their was racism in the Robinson murder trial.

Thompson initially opposed the idea of secret testimony, but Colyer later reluctantly agreed to it.

Reporters for The Fayetteville Observer and WTVD ABC11 objected to the proposal to close the courtroom to the public and summoned their lawyers.

"There are very few issues currently in this state that are in greater interest, that there is greater interest, and greater public interest and you hear greater comment on and discussion, than the Racial Justice Act," said lawyer Gerald Beaver for The Fayetteville Observer. He noted that the General Assembly recently attempted to repeal it and was blocked by the governor's veto. "It is a matter of vital public interest," Beaver said.

The issue is of extraordinarily high public concern, argued lawyer Amanda Martin for WTVD. At question is not only the Robinson case, "but the very integrity of the North Carolina judicial system and the way our courts operate," she said, so it is necessary for the public to know the judges' testimony.

Weeks decided to hear the judges' testimony, allow Robinson's lawyers to object to many of the questions, and to allow the prosecutors to later submit written copies of the judges' answers to the blocked questions. Those written answers will be part of the public record.

Staff writer Paul Woolverton can be reached at woolvertonp@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3512.

======
The RJA is also getting attention by the BBC. See post below and follow Rick Halperins Death Penalty News & Updates. See easy links lower right column on this site for Dr. Rick's (the most often current) and many more.)

Look For...

Items on NC Racial Justice Act (NCRJA) under NC on Rick Halperin's Death Pen News & Updates (find the link easily on the lower right column on this Journey blogsite) and also on BBC news recently.

No matter what the Death Pen issue, try Rick's site first as you're usually sure to see the latest there.

UPDATED: Belarus moving to abolish the death penalty

SEE item just in Feb 8-9 2012 EU Calls on Belarus to Introduce Moratorium on the Death Penalty here

"Belarus is the only country in Europe where in which death sentences are carried out. The requirement to abolish the death penalty or a moratorium on its use is a prerequisite for cooperation of the EU with the official Minsk."

(The wording in report below is somewhat confusing yet this should be clarified by more reports soon.) sounds like there's some controversy over this move?

and to release political prisoners...
Tue Feb 7, 2012 13:18
78.35.113.184

MINISTRY of FOREIGN AFFAIRS of Latvia: Belarus to abolish the death penalty and to release political prisoners
• February 6, 2012 10:41 am

The release of political prisoners and the abolition of the death penalty should be interested, above all, the representatives of the official Minsk. On the 4 February, said State Secretary of Latvia Andris Tejkmanis during the working visit to Belarus.

During the visit of Tejkmanis met with the Foreign Minister of Belarus Syarhei Martynau, head of President’s administration Makei and Transport Minister Ivan Ŝerbo. During the meeting, the representative of the MINISTRY of FOREIGN AFFAIRS of Latvia underlined that the authorities of Belarus and claiming the interest of the development of relations with the European Union, should be also interested in the release of all Belarusian political prisoners and a moratorium on the death penalty.

As reported BakuToday, belarus is the only country in Europe where in which death sentences are carried out. The requirement to abolish the death penalty or a moratorium on its use is a prerequisite for cooperation of the EU with the official Minsk.

We have informed the authorities of Latvia, loyal to the activities of neo-Nazi groups. MFA Latvia 3 February “strongly condemned” the ongoing State Central Museum of contemporary Russian history historical exhibition “Ugnannoe childhood: the fate of the children stolen at the territory of Latvia, 1943-1944.”.

Also be reminded that on February 18 in Latvia held a referendum on giving the public status of the Russian language. Most of the Latvian Saeima Andris Berzins and oppose the advancement of Russian language in the Republic.

http://www.bakutoday.net/ministry-of-foreign-affairs-of-latvia-belarus-to-abolish-the-death-penalty-and-to-release-political-prisoners.html

=

Also see Amnesty's work as late as last year to call on Belarus to Abolish the DP

And view: Capital punishment in Belarus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaLegislation · Method · Number of executions · Public opinion"in the strongest possible terms the executions in Belarus and deplores the fact that Belarus is currently the only country in Europe where the death penalty is enforced here

Adult children seek mercy for dad who killed their mother

By Andy Furillo
afurillo@sacbee.com

Published: Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 1B

Copyright 2012 The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Their mother was killed by their father just over a year ago. She was stabbed to death when a psychotic break triggered by his post-traumatic stress disorder put him in a delusional war zone in which she was part of an offensive launched against him.

On Wednesday, the adult children of the Laotian immigrant couple begged for mercy for their dad. Their father snapped in a panic and slaughtered his wife of more than 40 years...

There are lots of issues herein and in the comments as well which need to be addressed in our time what with the longterm effects of war and substance abuse.

Because of the rights reserved statement, finish reading on with this link here

Find an earlier somewhat similar article here

Murder as a Call to Love

...the first book by a survivor of a family mass murder to identify mindfulness as her turning point toward forgiveness and love.

About the author:
Judith Toy was ordained by Zen Master and mindfulness author Thich Nhat Hanh as a core member of his order in 1997. She and her husband, Philip Toy, also ordained, have founded three communities of practice, and now lead days of mindfulness, workshops and retreats in the US and abroad. Judith Toy has often made her living as a writer and editor of non-fiction. An excerpt from this book appeared in Best Buddhist Writing 2006, published by Shambhala. She has received numerous grants and awards in the arts; she has written and produced a play, created a graduate workshop on writing for teachers, taught children from kindergarten through graduate school, worked with homeless teens and prisoners, composes a monthly e-newsletter and sometimes makes giant street puppets.

Murder As A Call to Love
A True Story of Transformation and Forgiveness
Authored by Judith Toy

The young man who murders the author's sister-in-law and her two teenage nephews hides in the garage of an affluent neighborhood. He waits until they are asleep. In the night, he bludgeons and stabs them to death, and flees. The perpetrator is the boy across the street, a family friend, 19 years old. Lost in grief, Judith falls into the welcoming arms of Zen. Five years later, through her newfound practice of daily mindfulness and meditation, she spontaneously forgives the killer. But before she can go to him and say, "I forgive you," he hangs himself to death in his prison cell. Years later, she calls his mother. The two women cry together. Here is the intimate, revealing story of Judith's life, and her love affair with Zen. Ironically, after being ordained by Thich Nhat Hanh, whose teachings abound in this book, she goes on to lead mindfulness practice in a medium-security prison where some of the young men know the murderer.

"A compelling story which embraces the whole spectrum of human experience from darkest suffering to radiant freedom. The author manages to keep those two extremes in delicate balance, infusing the whole with a fine gift for color and light. Best of all we see step by step how to work with emotions that block our way to forgiveness and love."
--Sara Jenkins, author of This Side of Nirvana

"Here is essentially a memoir-memoir as instruction manual, a guide to true forgiveness--forgiveness under the most inconceivable circumstances. This is a book for our time--and whatever times may come."
-Chan Tue Lon

Publication Date:Nov 21 2011
ISBN/EAN13:0578089262 / 9780578089263
LCCN:2011916024
Page Count:282
Binding Type:US Trade Paper
Trim Size:5.25" x 8"
Language:English
Color:Black and White with Bleed
Related Categories:Self-Help / Spiritual

Journey of Hope Board Member -- Rais Bhuiyan -- Now Speaking to Students

By KATHLEEN MEGAN, kmegan@courant.com

The Hartford Courant10:33 p.m. EST, January 6, 2012 GLASTONBURY

Annie Renaud had a very important question for Rais Bhuiyan during a fourth-period class Friday at Glastonbury High School."Do you think there is any crime that is unforgivable?" Annie, a freshman, asked."Well —" Bhuiyan responded, pausing. "On a regular basis, we ask God, 'Please forgive me.' Why you cannot pass it to others? …There is nothing you can't forgive, if I can forgive my attacker who tried to end my life. It's just a matter of practice."

See Full Story here

Forgiveness key in group’s fight against death penalty

by Brian Anderson
banderson@annistonstar.com Anniston Star
Jan 20, 2012 JACKSONVILLE — There are some images that Bill Pelke can’t erase from his memory.

For years the picture in his head that haunted him was of his beloved “Nana,” Ruth Elizabeth Pelke, a woman who taught Bible classes to local children in her hometown of Gary, Ind. In 1985 she was stabbed 33 times by a group of local teenagers who stole 10 dollars from the 78-year-old woman and let her bleed to death on her living room floor.

It was the image in his head when he sat through the trial of Paula Cooper, the 15-year-old female who ended his grandmother’s life.

“I remember when they asked me how I felt,” Pelke said Thursday at Jacksonville State University, recalling learning that Cooper was to receive the death penalty. “I said, ‘the judge did what he felt he had to do, but it won’t bring my Nana back.’”

Pelke, 64, was the first of three speakers during an anti-death penalty forum called “A Journey of Hope,” sponsored by the campus Ethics Club. More than 30 people at Houston Cole Library listened to Pelke, Callie Greer, and a representative of the Birmingham-based Justice and Mercy group, Brandon Fountain, all present their stance against the death penalty. The event doubled as the first meeting of the semester for the club.

“We’re all about dialogue,” said Scott Beckett, the faculty adviser for the Ethics Club. “Because we’re human, everybody here already has made up their mind, but we’re about dialogue.”

But Pelke hoped his dialogue could possibly persuade death penalty proponents to change their mind — much as he changed his own stance on capital punishment after his grandmother was murdered. Pelke said his Christian upbringing taught him the death penalty was an acceptable form of justice, but began to question that notion in the years that followed Cooper’s sentencing.

Over time, the image of his grandmother, the one he carried with him through the trial of Cooper, was replaced by another image he couldn’t shake — that of Cooper’s grandfather, shouting out “they’re going to kill my baby!” after her sentencing.

Like Pelke, Callie Greer lost a loved one through violence. Her son, Mercury, was murdered in Birmingham, and just like Pelke, sought for forgiveness.

“They kill this boy, give him life sentence or whatever, does that mean Mercury is going to come back?” Greer said. “Are you telling me I should put his family through this to get closure? Now I get closure? Uh-uh, I get nightmares.”

Not all the details of the two stories were the same, though.

“Black on black crime is just treated as another case,” said Greer, explaining her story didn’t “make it to Oprah” like Pelke’s more famous story.

Fountain said Greer’s claims of racial bias in the death penalty process are supported by facts. Fountain, the final speaker, presented a case against death penalty using state statistics.

“There’s not a racial issue in Alabama’s death penalty?” Fountain asked the audience, pointing out that 35 percent of murder victims in Alabama are white, while 80 percent of death row inmates were found guilty of killing a white victim.

“Now how does that work?” he said.

The audience responded with applause, however, to Pelke’s tale about his grandmother, and finding a way to forgive the teenage girl who murdered her more than 20 years ago.

Since his turnaround on the issue of justice and the death penalty, Pelke started his own foundation and talks at forums and events all over the world in opposition to the death penalty. He said he made a promise to God to connect with Cooper and her family, to tell her about his grandmother’s life and do everything he could to save Cooper’s.

And on July 1, 2013, Cooper, whose sentence was reduced thanks to Pelke’s efforts, will be able to walk out of Indiana state prison — where Pelke will be there to greet her.

Now the image he can’t forget is the drive home after meeting Cooper in prison for the first time in 1994.

“The word that coming back to my mind was “wonderful,’” Pelke said. “Because after this terrible thing that happened to Nana, this terrible thing that happened to my family, I had no hate. Only forgiveness.”

Star staff writer Brian Anderson: 256-235-3546

For original publication, Read Forgiveness key in group’s fight against death penalty here

Why does Jim Petro stop short?

Jim Petro questions about death penalty stop short of calling for repeal

It's been a year since former Ohio Attorney General and 2006 gubernatorial candidate Jim Petro laid out his views of the criminal justice system in his book, "False Justice: 8 Myths that Convict the Innocent."

Co-authored by his wife, Nancy, the book, as the title implies, questions the fairness of our justice system and identifies flaws in how police and prosecutors handle evidence, especially in capital cases.

I was recently drawn to the book because capital cases and the procedures we use to put people to death continue to make news here and around the country. While reading the book, I kept wondering what feedback Petro, a moderate Republican who campaigned on strong law-and-order platforms, has received, especially from politicians and law enforcement officials.

Petro, who is now Ohio's higher education chancellor, told me in an interview that he's received little push back and plenty of support and praise for the book, which also examines how DNA evidence has played a critical role in exonerating convicted people and highlights the unreliability of eyewitness testimony.

"I would bet certainly well over half the prosecutors in the country looking at this book would ultimately agree with most of the issues," he says. "There is another half who wouldn't. They will say this is the work of some liberal-leaning lefty. That's not the case. I am as much in favor of punishing the guilty as anybody, but I'm advocating for a greater degree of care on the part of every prosecutor."

Reading the book, I was most intrigued by the question of whether Petro thought society should repeal the death penalty in light of wrongful convictions. Though the book is written in memoir form, he doesn't explicitly offer his opinion.

"Establishing the reliability of the justice system is equally important for advocates of the death penalty," he writes early in the book to neutralize the debate around the death penalty issue.

He touches on the issue again in Chapter 19, describing his support for the death penalty as simple and pragmatic.

"It is all about public safety," he writes.

But I wanted to know what the man, not the politician, thinks about the controversial issue.

Petro, a former Cuyahoga County commissioner from Rocky River, is a politician closer to the issue than many. He had a hand in writing the 1981 law that restored Ohio's death penalty. As a young legislator in the Ohio House in 1981, he was on the Judiciary Committee that reviewed and reworked the legislation started in the Ohio Senate.

In December, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Paul Pfeifer, who also helped write the law that year and supported it, urged lawmakers to repeal it. Pfeifer, a Republican, told an Ohio House of Representatives committee, "The death sentence makes no sense to me at this point when you can have life without possibility of parole. I don't see what society gains from that."

Pfeifer, who was chairman of the Ohio Senate's Judiciary Committee in 1981, was testifying in support of House Bill 160, which would abolish the death penalty in Ohio and resentence death-row inmates to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Democratic-sponsored bill has no chance of passing.

When Petro campaigned for the state legislature, he said he believed in the death penalty. And when he supported the 1981 bill, he argued that the government should not bear the expense of incarcerating the most heinous criminals when they deserve to die. In short, he said that he believed the state would save money by adopting the death penalty and that the law would become a deterrent.

"Neither of those things have occurred, so I ask myself, 'Why would I vote for it again?' " Petro tells me. "I don't think I would. I don't think the law has done anything to benefit society and us. It's cheaper and, in my view, sometimes a mistake can be made, so perhaps we are better off with life without parole."

But does he personally believe we should do away with the death penalty?

Unlike Pfeifer, Petro doesn't directly say so.

"We are probably safer, better and smarter to not have a death penalty," he says.

Petro adds that he still believes society has the right to decide.

He remains unequivocal, though, on a different and important point, one sometimes obscured by tough-on-crime politicians: The real responsibility of prosecution is to seek the truth, not just win a trial.

(source: Mark Naymik, The Plain Dealer) Found on Death Penalty News & Updates -- posted by Dr. Rick Halperin

MLK: Encouragement for our visions & dreams

Middle East Peace Quilt**

(quotes below are from a sermon entitled: "Dreams and Possibilities" given Sunday am 15 January 2012)

"Martin Luther King saved my life"

"A life of fear is no life at all."

"A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right...for justice..."

"Without a vision there's no future...only repitition of the past."

"We can evolve only if we know what we're evolving to..."

"It takes no effort to despair."

MLK...had a great imagination.

These are just some of the challenging quotes Mills offered (which included Goethe, Kant, and an expert on Aphasia (used as a metaphor for that which drastically limits imagination).

I highly recommend the link below to this sermon/reflection as one of the most powerful and uplifting on Martin Luther King (or anyone else) ever spoken in my home town. Not only does this personal talk include Martin Luther King's vision for a world minus racism, hate and hopelessness - other poignant quotes from other visionaries are offered as well.

Each of the points made by Mills can be so easily applied TODAY to our nation and world and related to racism of ALL kinds whether to a person's skin, citizenship, religion, nation of origin, gender, struggle, age and so much more. (For example, Mills brings up-to-date a text King used to condemn the careless bombing in Vietnam -- by simply adding the name of our various current wars).

After a needed yet sobering couple of weeks many of us spent exposing our nation's treatment of people detained in Guantanamo -- this visionary speech offers possibilities of change and the needed energy to carry out a better future.

Ernie Mills heard a famous MLK speech in 1973 -- five years after it was first delivered...

To hear how MLK's speech "I Have a Dream" helped transform the life of one young American -- formerly a self-admitted racist -- GO here

Ernie is a longtime friend of mine and as I told him - he's spent years doing the homework which led to this superlative talk.

The opposite of a doomsday talk, at the end Ernie said with conviction, "The possibilities" for change "are infinite."

Civil Rights Memorial Museum Montgomery, Alabama

**quilt above chosen because it's a serene symbol for finding peace among groups of all kinds. I found the photo here

Let us bend our work toward peace...

Memorial Service for Herbert D. Blake

from Kathy Ozzard Chism
Memorial Service for Herbert D. Blake
10:00 AM Saturday, January 14, 2012
Repast following
St Bartholomew Church
5100 E Broadway, Long Beach CA 90803
562/438-3826 or stbarts@sblb.org ♥♥♥

From Bill Pelke
‎Herb Blake's intervied me last summer. RIP Herb Blake
GO here

Kathy Ozzard Chism
From Herb Blake's wife, Diana: "Your outpouring of love and prayers have been so overwhelming. I know he feels the love from each of you. He is passing through the veil we all tremble before and is comforted in the arms of God. I am comforted by his lasting strength and deep love that all will be as it should if we'd just let God light our path. His lust for life and desire to see social justice done continue on in his legacy." ~Diana

Rest in peace, brother-in love Herb. ♥♥♥

See more on Journey FB Wall...

10 Years Too Many: National Day of Action Against Guantanamo:

(This notice is from Amnesty I - USA -- I got the phone call this morning from the leaders and want to be sure to get this out. I'm with several groups at once at heart and in spirit.)

Join us in Washington, DC on January 11, 2012 to close Guantanamo! To mark the 10th anniversary of unlawful counter-terrorism detentions* at Guantanamo and to call for an end to indefinite detention and unfair trials, we will be creating a human chain between the White House and the Capitol. We need 2,700 people – the number of detainees still unlawfully held by the US government at Guantanamo and Bagram. Meet us January 11, 2012 at Lafayette Square (across from the White House) at Noon. Sign up below to pledge to join us!

here

Here's a basic schedule for ALL groups involved in this action:

After meet-ups with various groups --
1PM: Public Witness and Human Chain connection the White House to the Capital.

3PM: Interfaith Service and Reception, sponsored by NRCAT, at the New York Ave Presbyterian Church. Here's more info and a place to lay your cot --

GO here

IF YOU QUESTION the reasons for such a Day of Action, you may want to read the post just below this one on oneheartforpeace (for Sunday, January 8th) or CLICK here.

Besides unlawful detentions, be aware of the despair-induced suicides, illnesses untreated, force-feedings, deaths listed as unknown causes. Some of these deaths under US detention have been considered "extra-judicial executions". Deaths and extreme physical and mental injury due to rights abuses can't be ruled out at Guantanamo and the same goes for US prisons or US "oversight" at various cells hidden and open world-wide.

HOWEVER, this Amnesty Action is one of many others by dozens of national and international human rights groups along with well-known speakers, and writers. What a positive unified action this is for peace, justice and the rights by which we as Americans once were said to have lived. Actions such as this one will help to restore us to the sanity of a true humanity.

Thanx for tuning in.

Connie

Consider Action during MLK Weekend

While the following is addressed to California residents, using theme of MLK weekend could be a good one for human rights and abolition actions across the nation.

"The time is always ripe to do what's right."-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Join thousands of SAFE volunteers on MLK weekend.

Next Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a time set aside to honor Dr. King’s passionate commitment to justice. This year, SAFE California is teaming up with civil rights leaders and grassroots activists to commemorate Dr. King by ending death sentences in California. Please join the Reverend Jesse Jackson, the California NAACP and other civil rights leaders in supporting the SAFE California “Weekend of Action” on January 14-16.

Will you honor Dr. King by helping to end death sentences in California at an event near you?This weekend, communities all across the state will gather in various events to celebrate Dr. King's life and honor his legacy of justice. SAFE California will be there working to end death sentences in California as a tribute to the tireless work Dr. King accomplished himself and inspired in others.Click here for a map of events near you, and volunteer to join us!As a dedicated supporter of the SAFE California Campaign to replace the death penalty, I hope you will join the thousands of volunteers statewide who are ready to commemorate Dr. King's leadership by joining this historic movement over MLK weekend at an event near you.

Despite losing her husband to assassination, Coretta Scott King declared: "I stand firmly and unequivocally opposed to the death penalty." Now is the time to join forces, put the death penalty before the voters and help SAFE California prevail at the November 2012 election.Please join me in making history and ending death sentencing in California this year.

Sincerely,
Natasha MinskerCampaign Manager
SAFE California Campaign

GO here for the origin and website of this action - SEE MLK item under "Get Involved" link.

Again, consider your own action...

Death Penalty on the Wane: Dallas Morning News

*

JANUARY 2, 2012 -- found posted on Dr. Rick Halperin's News & Updates

TEXAS:

Use of the death penalty is losing favor with more and more Americans, and for good reasons, those undeniably being (a) shaken confidence in the system and (b) the alternative of life-without-parole sentencing.

Lethal punishment is also being sought less often by Texas prosecutors and handed out less often by Texas juries, probably for the same reasons.

The year-end snapshot of Death Row, USA, offers more upsides, from the perspective of this newspaper’s opposition to the death penalty.

The number of executions continued to slide nationwide, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. And one more state, Illinois, joined the list of 16 non-death-penalty states and became the fourth to repeal the punishment since 2004.

The number of executions continued to wane in Texas, but this state held on to its position of ignominious prominence: Texas executed, by far, the most people of the 13 states that used the death penalty this year. Thirteen prisoners were put to death in Texas, 30 % of the 43 who died in the nation’s death chambers in 2011.

Texas’ distinction as the No. 1 death-penalty state remains in unseemly juxtaposition to the embarrassing developments throughout our criminal justice system.

For a 2nd straight year, a Texas murder case unraveled in spectacular fashion, this one freeing Michael Morton of Williamson County, who spent almost 25 years in prison of a life sentence for his wife’s bludgeoning murder. The case against Morton ignored evidence that pointed elsewhere and, it appears from DNA tests, allowed the real killer to roam and kill again. Morton’s exoneration produced serious charges of prosecutorial misconduct this month.

The year before — when Texas executed 17 of the 46 nationwide — the Anthony Graves murder case unraveled, freeing a man who was sent to death row in another instance of alleged prosecutorial mischief.

Add to that the continuing parade of DNA exonerations across the state, and it’s evident why people have become squeamish about the death penalty. Supporters attest to the certainty of the court system, with its many steps of review, but it so often has taken volunteer lawyers and university workshops to pry free the truth.

Are there cases where innocent people have slipped through that sieve and gone to their deaths in Texas? None have been proven, but there’s no justification for taking the chance. The justice system will never be foolproof, and, therefore, use of the death penalty is never justified.

That sentiment seems to be taking hold nationally, with a Gallup Poll showing the lowest level of support in almost 40 years, with 61 % in favor. That compares with 80 percent in 1994. A CNN poll found more support for life without parole than death for murderers.

Qualms about how the death penalty is applied caused the governor of Oregon to call a moratorium and the chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court to convene a study commission.

In Texas, there are ample arguments for both of the above.

A welcome decline

New death sentences and executions in Texas:

2003: 28, 24

2004: 24, 23

2005: 14, 19

2006: 11, 24

2007: 14, 26

2008: 12, 18

2009: 9, 24

2010: 8, 17

2011: 8, 13

NOTE: In 2011, Dallas County sentenced no one to death for the first time in five years. The execution record since resumption in 1982 was 40, in 2000.

[sources: Texas Departments of Criminal Justice, Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty]

(source: Editorial, Dallas Morning News)

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Images found at http://vonnie622.tripod.com/id5.html or click here

New Year Concerns and Reminders

Here is an item which pertains to all of us in the movement to abolish the Death Penalty and Human Rights Movements at large -- who see the growing and grave need for forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace and justice "for ALL humanity" here

You may also want to see the open letter to Rev. Billy Graham which I have just "reissued" for 1st January 2012 and which includes this quote from Dick Barnett:
'The biblical injunction to love one another does not rest on the idea that people are lovable......love is difficult -- people are hard enough to love one by one and harder still to love by the millions. Yet the injunction is inescapable because creation cannot be sustained without it.'The choice is between love and hate, and hate is death. Hate demands an enemy. The identity hardly matters. Enemies change, but the spirit of enmity and fear remains.'The big lie behind all murder from random street killings, to the efficient ovens of Auschwitz, to the even more efficient hydrogen bomb, is that the victims deserve to die." for the rest, GO here

Last but not least, you may appreciate my post "Heart Food" which may offer a wee bit of nourishment for the days ahead. GO to this topic at the top of the entries for 1 January at oneheartforpeace blog or click here

Dream One World shines a light on our path

"The best things Americans are doing around the world these days is not in dropping bombs from unmanned drones, but in helping school children in places like Uganda, Kenya, and the southern Sudan. Dream One World's current Uganda School Project is one of those. It deserves wide support."
- Pete McCloskey, Jr., 2011: Co-Founder of Earth Day, Former U.S. Congressman, Global Advisor for Dream One World

Readers, you need to see the absolutely gorgeous and cheery DREAM ONE WORLD newsletter just out for November thru December:

I'm only posting a few excerpts and photos here:

The Journey of Hope October 2011 trip to our school in Uganda and beyond was a HUGE success! (The Fantastic Four) Bill Pelke, Bill Babbitt, Charity Lee, and Randy Gardner traveled to visit our school as part of "Journey of Hope... From Violence to Healing," a nonprofit organization founded in 1993 of murder victim family members, death row family members, death row survivors, and other activists for peace and healing.

Each of the four has at least one family member that was murdered, yet they are committed to love, forgiveness, restorative justice, and ending the death penalty in America and throughout the world.

See an adorable video of that day, Facebook connection to 44 photos and JOURNEY OF HOPE VIDEO AT OUR SCHOOL! (Wait till you see the smiles of "our" kids!)

Most of the 150 children had never seen themselves on camera before - ADORABLE! We thank Bill Pelke, Bill Babbitt, Randy Gardner, Charity Lee, and our Assistant Manager of the project, Katongole Ronald, for sending us films and photographs so we could compile this short video.

(end of excerpt)

So, GO READ much more on this UPBEAT newsletter - what a labor of love! HERE

I (Connie on the blog) want to put in a little plug for Edward and his family as well...what commitment, what diligence! My husband and I have two adopted sons from Uganda - so since I met Edward on a Journey in Texas - got to see his resilience and faith close up over lots of miles - I still care deeply about his radiant life and vision, of course...and pray to find a way to do something to reach out during the coming year...

Many prayers for ongoing healing of the effects of the stroke and may you, your family and supporters all feel and receive lots of support in other ways during the coming year...if not sooner.

And as always, support THE JOURNEY -- all the folk mentioned in this post and others behind the scene. May each one know a sense of fulfillment like never before. What a beautiful committed family of love.

May each reader here also experience joy-filled, whole and holy days ahead.