Monthly Archives: December 2011
Michael Morton case raises questions about prosecutorial accountability
By Alan Bean This New York Times editorial touches on a case that will be familiar to readers of Scott Henson’s excellent Grits for Breakfast blog. A few days ago, Scott provided this helpful summary of the Michael Morton imbroglio and … Continue reading
Progressives should be wary of Ron Paul
There is a lot to like about Ron Paul. He opposes the war on drugs; he is anti-war, and he doesn’t like the Patriot Act. Who could ask for anything more? If you believe Adele M. Stan, progressives should be … Continue reading
Challenging Ron Paul’s Followers on Racism
A sane, reasoned analysis of Ron Paul’s newsletter problem. AGB Originally published in LA PROGRESSIVE. December 27, 2011 By Mark Naison I can’t say that I am surprised by the content of recently unearthed Ron Paul newsletters from the … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Has mass incarceration given us safe streets?
http://www.facebook.com/dialog/oauth?api_key=41245586762&app_id=41245586762&channel_url=https%3A%2F%2Fs-static.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fconnect%2Fxd_proxy.php%3Fversion%3D3%23cb%3Df368fb36ccec9b8%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Ffriendsofjustice.wordpress.com%252Ff149a67e6830d6a%26relation%3Dparent.parent%26transport%3Dpostmessage&client_id=41245586762&display=none&locale=en_US&origin=1&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fs-static.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fconnect%2Fxd_proxy.php%3Fversion%3D3%23cb%3Df2c43905e867f2%26origin%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Ffriendsofjustice.wordpress.com%252Ff149a67e6830d6a%26relation%3Dparent%26transport%3Dpostmessage%26frame%3Df2d06ab04f1092a&response_type=token%2Csigned_request%2Ccode&sdk=joey By Alan Bean Charles Lane is excited. Crime rates have been falling across America and, if present trends continue, the safe streets we enjoyed in the 1950s will soon return. Lane sees mass incarceration as a curious paradox. It’s … Continue reading
Out in the cold: arrogant indifference in the federal legal system
A Texas Monthly story argues that the federal justice system is less responsive to claims of actual innocence than tough on crime states like Texas. Richard LaFuente, the federal inmate at the center of Michael Hall’s investigative story, is incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution … Continue reading
Filed under innocence, prison reform, prison visitation
The Advent Challenge to Wealth
This piece originally appeared in the Huffington Post. The Advent Challenge to Wealth by Mark Osler I write this from the breakfast room of my comfortable home in Edina, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. People from other communities call … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Gingrich would bend the judiciary to his will
By Alan Bean Over at Talk To Action, Rob Boston gives Newt Gingrich a stern caning for wanting to make the judiciary the lap dog of Congress. It is hard for all of us to live with judicial opinions that vary … Continue reading
Filed under democracy
Is Ron Paul a racist?
By Alan Bean James Kirchick’s article in the Weekly Standard throws fuel on the “is Ron Paul a racist?” fire. In the 1980s, Paul sponsored a newsletter that regularly spewed racist and anti-semitic venom while endorsing every conspiracy theory coming down … Continue reading
Filed under Race and religion, racial politics, Uncategorized
A Reversal of Fortune
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Broadway Baptist Church Third Sunday of Advent December 11, 2011 Brent Beasley “We know that not to believe it would be to live in that cold, joyless place where it is always winter but never Christmas.” Young … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
NPR: Death sentences drop to historic lows in 2011
by Melanie Wilmoth On several occasions in recent months, the death penalty debate has made its way into the public spotlight. In September, Rick Perry made headlines at a Republican debate when the fact that he presided over 234 executions … Continue reading
Filed under death penalty, Rick Perry, Texas, Troy Davis
