Monthly Archives: July 2010
Congress scales back crack-powder disparity
Since this post was published, the Dallas Morning News published a thought-provoking column by professor Mark Osler. To the great relief of anyone who has ever witnessed a federal drug case, Congress has whittled back the infamous 100-1 crack-powder sentencing disparity to 18-1. … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Shift in philosophy exonerates Michael Anthony Green
Michael Green is now a free man after 27 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. The Houston Chronicle article has links to some great video footage. AGB The Dallas Morning News reports yet another DNA exoneration out of Harris … Continue reading
Filed under Criminal justice reform
National Criminal Justice Commission Act clears the House
According to the Austin Chronicle, “The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday voted in favor of the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2010, a bipartisan measure carried by Massachusetts Rep. Bill Delahunt, and joined by 27 other lawmakers.” Jim Webb … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Federal judge places hold on Arizona’s immigration law
As a practicing Christian, I naturally ask what the Bible says about the treatment of aliens. Continue reading
Filed under "civil rights", "Social Justice", Race, Racial reconciliation, Uncategorized
“TULIA, TEXAS” earns an Emmy nomination!
Kelly Whalen and Cassandra Herrman invested years of their lives making “Tulia, Texas” and their dedication is being recognized. The piece they created for the PBS program Independent Lens was recently nominated for an Emmy. According to the folks at … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Sherrod missteps reveal harsh political realities
When the NAACP challenged the Tea Party movement to confront the overt racism within its ranks I was impressed. A normally timid organization took a strong stand on a controversial issue. The vote was unanimous. Good for the NAACP. Then a conservative … Continue reading
Filed under "civil rights", "Social Justice", Race, Racial reconciliation, Uncategorized
Jena Six the Hard Way
Jena Six the Hard Way Stephanie Greenlea Playing the Game Silences on racial inequality in America have a solid history. For decades during the civil rights movement, black activists and their allies pulled off innovative collective action and made … Continue reading
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Killing Oscar Grant: Did the jury get it right?
The 2009 shooting death of Oscar Grant certainly looked like murder. With Mr. Grant flat on his belly, his arms pulled in behind his back, officer Johannes Mehserle pulled his gun and fired. Mr. Grant died in the hospital several hours … Continue reading
The Squirrel Cages of St. Tammany Parish
The ACLU of Louisiana is alleging that prisoners at the St. Tammany Parish Jail are frequently held in 3 ft. by 3 ft. cells. The minimum standard for pets in the Parish is twice that size. Sheriff Jack Strain claims … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Flowers case highlights resource gap
indigent defense in Georgia. It takes a lot of money to put a defendant on death row. Most capital defendants are poor and uneducated. Families are rarely in a position to foot the bill for a qualified defense attorney. The … Continue reading
