Dallas Morning News calls for end to death penalty

editorial Sunday 4/15/2006

MICHAEL HOGUE/DMN

OPINION Editorials
Death no more: It’s time to end capital
punishment
03:30 AM CDT on Sunday, April 15, 2007
Ernest Ray Willis set a fire that killed two women in Pecos
County. So said Texas prosecutors who obtained a conviction
in 1987 and sent Mr. Willis to death row. But it wasn’t true.
Seventeen years later, a federal judge overturned the conviction,
finding that prosecutors had drugged Mr. Willis with powerful
anti-psychotic medication during his trial and then used his
glazed appearance to characterize him as “cold-hearted.” They
also suppressed evidence and introduced neither physical proof
nor eyewitnesses in the trial – and his court-appointed lawyers
mounted a lousy defense. Besides, another death-row inmate
confessed to the killings.
The state dropped all charges. Ernest Ray Willis emerged from
prison a pauper. But he was lucky: He had his life. Not so
Carlos De Luna, who was executed in 1989 for the stabbing
death of a single mother who worked at a gas station. For years,
another man with a history of violent crimes bragged that he had committed the crime. The case against
Mr. De Luna, in many eyes, does not stand up to closer examination.
There are signs he was innocent. We don’t know for sure, but we do know that if the state made a
mistake, nothing can rectify it.
And that uncomfortable truth has led this editorial board to re-examine its century-old stance on the
death penalty. This board has lost confidence that the state of Texas can guarantee that every inmate it
executes is truly guilty of murder. We do not believe that any legal system devised by inherently flawed
human beings can determine with moral certainty the guilt of every defendant convicted of murder.
That is why we believe the state of Texas should abandon the death
penalty – because we cannot reconcile the fact that it is both imperfect
and irreversible.
Flaws in the capital criminal justice system have bothered troubled us
for some timeyears. We have editorialized in favor of clearer
instructions to juries, better counsel for defendants, the overhaul of
forensic labs and restrictions on the execution of certain classes of Graphic: Key death penalty
statistics (.pdf)
Chart: A dubious distinction
(.pdf)
Chat: Editorial page editor
Keven Ann Willey answers
your questions at 2 p.m.
Monday on DallasNews.com. |
Send early questions
Coming Monday: Texas’ Next
Step: Lawmakers should enact
a moratorium and study flaws
in full light.
defendant. We have urged lawmakers to at least put in place a
moratorium, as other states have, to closely examine the system.
And yet, despite tightening judicial restrictions and growing concern,
the exonerations keep coming, and the doubts keep piling up without
any reaction from Austin.
From our vantage point in Dallas County, the possibility of tragic, fatal
error in the death chamber appears undeniable. We have seen a parade
of 13 men walk out of the prison system after years – even decades –
of imprisonment for crimes they didn’t commit. Though not death
penalty cases, these examples – including an exoneration just last week
– reveal how shaky investigative techniques and reliance on
eyewitnesses can derail the lives of the innocent.
The Tulia and the fake-drug scandals have also eroded public
confidence in the justice system. These travesties illustrate how greed
and bigotry can poison the process.
It’s hard to believe that such pervasive human failings have never resulted in the death of an innocent
man.
In 2001, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said, “If statistics are any indication, the system
may well be allowing some innocent defendants to be executed.”
Some death penalty supporters acknowledge that innocents may have been and may yet be executed, but
they argue that serving the greater good is worth risking that unfortunate outcome. Supreme Court
Justice Antonin Scalia argues that the Byzantine appeals process effectively sifts innocent convicts from
the great mass of guilty, and killing the small number who fall through is a risk he’s willing to live with.
According to polls, most Texans are, too. But this editorial board is not.
Justice Scalia calls these innocents “an insignificant minimum.” But that minimum is not insignificant to
the unjustly convicted death-row inmate. It is not insignificant to his or her family. The jurist’s verbiage
concealsThis marks a transgression against the Western moral tradition, which establishes both the value
of the individual and the wrongness of making an innocent suffer for the supposed good of the whole.
Shedding innocent blood has been a scandal since Cain slew Abel – a crime for which, the Bible says,
God spared the murderer, who remained under harsh judgment.
This newspaper’s death penalty position is based not on sympathy for vile murderers – who, many most
agree, deserve to die for their crimes – but rather in the conviction that not even the just dispatch of 10,
100, or 1,000 of these wretches can remove the stain of innocent blood from our common moral fabric.
This is especially true given that our society can be adequately guarded from killers using bloodless
means. In 2005, the Legislature gave juries the option of sentencing killers to life without parole.
The state holds in its hands the power of life and death. It is an awesome power, one that citizens of a
democracy must approach in fear and trembling, and in full knowledge that the state’s justice system,
like everything humanity touches, is fated to fall short of perfection. If we are doomed to err in matters
of life and death, it is far better to err on the side of mercycaution. It is far better to err on the side of life.
The state cannot impose death – an irrevocable sentence – with absolute certainty in all cases. Therefore
the state should not impose it at all.

Big Brother at U.T.

Today I found myself heading the Young Conservatives of Texas professor watch list. They’re nothing if not predictable, following the lead of the terrible, horrible, no good very bad Horowitz.

I am attaching their watch list document. summer_fall_2007_watch_list.doc

Here is my response:

From: Dana Cloud <dcloud@mail.utexas.edu>
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:45:34 -0500
To: <firingline@dailytexanonline.com>
Conversation: Orwell, anyone?
Subject: Orwell, anyone?

Contrary to Friday’s Texan article about the new YCT watch list, I was informed neither by the Texan nor by the YCT that my name was at the top of the list (this year would be the first time I appeared on the list in the 14 years I have taught at U.T., and ironically, the year I received my College’s teaching award). I am not surprised, however, that I would be a target of yet another big-brother-style surveillance list. I never have denied my radical politics, but contrary to the YCT’s claims, I have never required my students to read Socialist Worker, counterpunch.com (although you can find my assessment of the very real right-wing indoctrination machine headed by David Horowitz at http://www.counterpunch.org/cloud03082007.html), or tune in to Al-Jazeera, as the group claims. Activism and pedagogy are two separate things, and I would not presume to require students to align themselves with my beliefs, as my many conservative student fans will attest. The watch group has no evidence of any indoctrination attempts in my classroom and have mentioned none in their section on me on their website. My students—conservative, liberal, or radical—resent the implication that they are mindless dupes of their professors. These details miss the point, however. The YCT claims that its intentions are benevolent and not censorious. But this sort of McCarthyist list-keeping in the name of “academic freedom” is doublespeak of the most insidious kind.

The Iraqis do not want the U.S. there–troops out now!

CNN is reporting “thousands.”
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21527228-601,00.html

Huge anti-US rally marks Iraq milestone

April 09, 2007

HUNDREDS of thousands of Shiites burned and trampled on US flags as
they gathered in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf for an anti-American
rally called by firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on the fourth
anniversary of the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Large crowds of men, women and children holding Iraqi flags and
anti-US banners massed in Najaf and the nearby twin city of Kufa to
protest against what they said was an American occupation of Iraq.

The rally is seen as a show of strength for the cleric who has not
been seen for more than two months, since the launch of a security
crackdown in Baghdad aimed largely at reining in his militiamen
accused of killing Sunni Arabs.

The US military has said he is in Iran but his aides deny the claims.

In the capital Baghdad, where four years ago on Monday a giant bronze
statue of Saddam was torn down, dramatically symbolising the fall of
his regime, security was tight.

A 24-hour vehicle curfew was in place and all Baghdad’s key roads and
bridges were deserted as people remained indoor for fear of attacks.

Jubilant Baghdadis who welcomed the invading US troops on April 9,
2003, now blame the rampant bloodshed and chaos on what even some of
the country’s most senior leaders brand an unwanted US-led
“occupation”.

The Shiite demonstrators are marching from Kufa to Najaf’s central
Sadrain Square where top aides of Sadr – who is regarded by the
Americans as the most dangerous threat to stability in Iraq -are
expected to address the crowds.

Hundreds of banners saying “Down with Bush, Down with America” could
be seen in the crowd as Iraqi police and army soldiers guarded key
checkpoints in and around Najaf and Kufa.

Many in the crowds were seen burning US flags and some were trampling
on and striking US and Israeli flags painted on the ground with their
shoes, an act considered one of the worst insults in Arab culture.

Some Sunni religious groups were also seen participating in the rally.

It was not known whether Sadr himself would address the crowds.

The cleric, who launched two bloody rebellions against US forces in
2004, is known for his anti-US stance and has emerged as a powerful
force in the present Shiite-led Iraqi government.

His political bloc has 32 lawmakers in the 275-member parliament and
six cabinet ministers in Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s embattled
government.

On Sunday, he reiterated his call to unite against the Americans and
end fighting between his militiamen and security forces in the
central city of Diwaniyah.

“He appeals to the Iraqi army and the Mahdi militia not to fall into
America’s trap by fighting in Diwaniyah,” said a statement stamped
and issued by the cleric’s Najaf office on his behalf.

US and Iraqi soldiers have been clashing with his militiamen in
Diwaniyah since Friday.

Calling for unity against US troops, Sadr urged local forces not to
support the “occupier because it is your enemy.”

“Iraq has had enough bloodshed. The occupation forces led by the
biggest evil, America, is working to sow dissent either directly or
through its agents.”

On April 9, 2003, US Marines pulled down the giant statue of Saddam
by a rope around the neck, in a premonition of his hanging in
December for crimes against humanity.

About 80,000 US and Iraqi troops are now patrolling the capital’s
streets where although the daily execution-style killings are
reported to be falling, high-profile car bombings remain a headache
for security forces.

Since the invasion of March 20, 2003, tens of thousands of Iraqis
have died in insurgent attacks and sectarian violence.

The four years have also been brutal for the US forces in Iraq.

On Monday, the military reported the deaths of six more soldiers in a
series of attacks, taking its toll for the month alone to 27 and 3275
since the invasion, according to an AFP count based on Pentagon
figures.

Support Professor Norman Finkelstein

 

SCHOLARS FOR INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM IN SUPPORT OF DR. NORMAN FINKELSTEIN

April 9, 2007

The Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., Ed.D.
President
DePaul University
55 East Jackson Boulevard, 22nd Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60604 U.S.
Phone: +1.312.362.8000
Fax: +1.312.362.6822
president@depaul.edu

Dr. Helmut Epp, Ph.D.
Provost
DePaul University
55 East Jackson Boulevard, 22nd Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60604 U.S.
Phone: +1.312.362.8760
Fax: +1.312.362.6822
hepp@depaul.edu

Dear Rev./Dr. Holtschneider and Dr. Epp:

As scholars and teachers in various institutions throughout the U.S. and abroad, we are writing to inquire about Dr. Norman Finkelstein’s tenure case. We have seen a memo, dated March 22, 2007, from Chuck Suchar, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, to the University Board on Tenure and promotion, recommending against tenure for Dr. Finkelstein, despite favorable votes at two levels of faculty review. Dean Suchar justifies his recommendation on the ground that Dr. Finkelstein’s scholarly work, though sound in its content, is often uncivil, disrespectful, mean-spirited, inflammatory, and so on, in its tone. We object to this weighting of criteria, especially when a scholar’s polemical style is cited as evidence that he lacks “values of collegiality.” The American Association of University Professors has explicitly challenged the use of criteria such as “collegiality” in tenure and promotion evaluations, precisely because these terms are subject to a wide range of interpretations. The AAUP rightly notes that criteria of this sort are often used to mask retribution as well as disciplinary or other biases. We note that they often stand in for political disagreement. The likelihood increases, in our view, when the criteria are couched as vague institutional principles, such as “personalism” and “Vincentian values.”

As scholars in various disciplines, ranging from political science, history, literature, women’s studies, ethnic studies, we know that any teaching and writing about culture, and politics can seem controversial. This is especially so in fields such as Latin American studies, women’s studies, ethnic studies, and Middle Eastern studies. In such areas of intense debate, a polemical tone is not unusual, and does not discredit the underlying scholarship. Tenure exists precisely to allow scholars the pursuit of candid intellectual inquiry, even the most controversial fields, without fear of retribution. To challenge the status quo of Zionist historiography in the U.S., as Finkelstein has done in his scholarship, most certainly ignites controversy; but his ability to address the subject with thorough documented evidence that encourages readers to see the subject of Palestine and Israel anew is precisely why scholars around the world value his work. While researchers—like diplomats and heads of state—cannot avoid appearing polemical given the highly charged nature of fields such as Dr. Finkelstein’s—it is imperative that we, as scholars and administrators, protect the right of research scholars and teachers to work in this field unhindered by fears of retribution.

Faculty specialists are the most reliable judges of a peer’s teaching, research and service contributions. Dean Suchar’s overriding of faculty assessments, using malleable and subjective criteria, is a clear violation of the principle of intellectual freedom that is a hallmark of higher education. Without the protection of this valued principle the integrity of higher education is irreparably harmed. The professional reputation of DePaul University also stands to suffer, if an internationally recognized and reputable faculty member’s tenure is denied on such reasoning.

We respectfully request that you investigate the matter at hand. Dean Suchar’s letter sets a dangerous precedent, and also sends the signal that arts and sciences are now endangered at DePaul University and in the American academy in general. In this tenure case, there appear to be gross violations of professional protocol (e.g., the Dean’s decision to reference to a possible lawsuit as further evidence of Dr. Finkelstein’s lack of “personableness”). Many academics are following this case and are legitimately interested in the outcome as our own careers, and the very mission of the academy, also rest in the balance.

Respectfully,

Academics, Filmmakers, Artists, Intellectuals, and Doctors for Intellectual Freedom In Support of Dr. Norman Finkelstein

http://normanfinkelstein.wordpress.com/

see also http://www.socialistworker.org/2007-1/627/627_12_Finkelstein.shtml

The ugly truth about guest worker programs

LEE SUSTAR looks at the reality for guest workers in the U.S. today.

A PROTEST by guest workers shut down a Gulf Coast oil rig repair company just days after a new report likened the conditions of guest workers in the U.S. to slavery.

http://www.socialistworker.org/2007-1/624/624_06_GuestWorkers.shtml

The Revolutionary Ideas of Karl Marx

The revolutionary ideas of Karl Marx April 6, 2007 | Pages 8 and 9

SHAUN HARKIN explains why generations of people have looked to Marxism and its vision of a better world–and why its commitment to justice, democracy and equality remains relevant today.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“The philosophers have merely interpreted the world; the point, however, is to change it.”
–Karl Marx

http://www.socialistworker.org/2007-1/626/626_08_Marx.shtml

Don’t miss Shaun Harkin speaking in Austin!

Thursday, April 26, 7:00 PM
THE REVOLUTIONARY IDEAS OF KARL MARX
Special ISO public meeting featuring guest speaker Shaun Harkin on the ideas
of Karl Marx and why they’re more relevant than ever for those of us seeking
an alternative to the war, exploitation and misery of the system.  Stay
tuned for more details about this exciting event.
Location: UT campus, room TBA

Sami Al Arian’s nightmare

The U.S. government has gone out of its way to make an example of this outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights. Racist prosecutors, inhumane treatment and abuse in custody, the prospect of indefinite detention–Al-Arian has been subjected to this and more in the four years he’s been behind bars.

http://www.socialistworker.org/2007-1/626/626_05_AlArian.shtml

Denver activist speaks out in Churchill’s defense

Hello,

I’m co-host of a Denver media watchblog called the Try-Works, which, I’m proud to say has drawn a little blood here and there amongst our locals. One of our primary foci has been the Denver media’s neo-Stalinist smear of CU Professor Ward Churchill. I’m leaving this comment because you’ve shown some interest in either the Try-Works or Ward Churchill. If I’ve misjudged and you’re interested in neither — my apologies.

As you know, though Ward Churchill drew the right-wing’s ire for questioning American exceptionalism, it was understood that attacking him for exercising his right to free speech might raise some uncomfortable questions. As such, the local media’s coverage immediately took on a viciously personal bent, the main charge being that Professor Churchill wasn’t a “real Indian.”

Only two pieces of evidence have ever been offered that Churchill is an “ethnic fraud” — whatever that means.

1. A genealogical study in a June 8 Rocky Mountain News article, performed by an incredibly unqualified team made up of two anti-Churchill bloggers and a New Jersey cop. (http://tinyurl.com/byp32)

2. The word of several people affiliated with a splinter offshoot of the American Indian Movement — primarily Suzan Shown Harjo, Vernon Bellecourt and Carole Standing Elk — who have a longstanding feud with Professor Churchill. Professor Churchill (along with Russell Means, John Trudell, Robert Robideau, Glenn Morris, George Tinker and others) have earned their lifelong enmity by contending that members of this group brutally raped and murdered a young American Indian activist. (http://tinyurl.com/3av3sp)

Professor Churchill, on the other hand, has videotape of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee council discussing his membership application and affirming his every word. Videotape tape the UKB mailed Professor Churchill along with his enrollment card. Videotape which the Denver media knows of, and has chosen to ignore as inconvenient.

But we have made a copy. And we have posted relevant clips to the Internet, accompanied by a breakdown penned by Try-Works member Charley Arthur.

Just click here: http://tinyurl.com/36uat6

For those of you who support Professor Churchill (or who just have a passing interest in journalistic integrity), enjoy.

For the inveterate liars among you — especially among the Denver local media — we’re going to be having a lot of fun at your expense. Do drop by.

Sincerely,
Benjamin Whitmer
www.tryworks.org

No racist vigilantes on campus! Protest the minutemen on 4/10!

This just in: Protest in San Antonio shuts Simcox down. More than 700 students, faculty, and staff came out to tell Simcox that racist hate is not welcome in our state.

Video at
http://www2.mysanantonio.com/multimedia/video/VideoPlayer/playvideo.cfm?action=view&skintop=display/dsp_top.cfm&skinbottom=display/
dsp_bottom.cfm&type=nod&ids=45235&play=1&format=WMV&showpoll=No

and http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=383207@video.woai.com

No racist vigilantes on campus !
Protest the leader of the Minutemen !
Defend Immigrants’ Rights !

Tuesday, April 10

After the major march for immigrants’ rights on Tuesday. . .

Meet at 7 pm at the MLK Statue for march to Chris Simcox’s speech.

On Tuesday, April 10 — the anniversary of the historic mega-march in
Austin for immigrants’ rights — the President of the Minuteman Civil
Defense Corps will be speaking at forum hosted by the Young
Conservatives of Texas.

Chris Simcox is slated to speak at 7:30 pm in Geology 2.324.

While Minuteman claim to be “patriotic citizen soldiers,” they are in
fact a reconfiguration of existing racist, paramilitary formations
that have been given new legitimacy in the polarized debate over
immigration.

But this is the real face of the vigilante movement: At the Arizona
border, Ranch Rescue — a group instrumental in establishing Simcox’s
first group, the Civil Homeland Defense — held two undocumented El
Salvadorian immigrants at gun point, pistol-whipped them and harassed
them trained attack dogs. Early this year, several migrant camps in
Southern California were terrorized and vandalized in attacks linked
to the leader of the San Diego Minutemen.

Regardless of how Simcox tries to sanitize his message for a
university audience, his more candid statements reveal the racism the
fuels vigilante groups like the Minutemen. Speaking about Mexicans
and Central American immigrants, Simcox once commented, “They have no
problem slitting your throat and taking your money or selling drugs
to your kids or raping your daughter and they are evil people.”

Join a protest to tell Simcox that racism and violence toward
immigrants has no place on our campus.

To endorse this call or for more information: StopMinutemenATX@yahoo.com

– – – – – –

And don’t forget. . .

STATEWIDE RALLY AND MARCH FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

Tuesday, April 10
Gather at the Capitol at 4:30 PM

Join thousands of Texans to march for immigrants’ rights and a day of
action for positive Texas legislation. At this very moment Texas
legislators are proposing a series of bills that would be harmful to
immigrants and all Texans. Thousands will converge at the Texas
Capitol to demand justice for immigrants. You can help by organizing
your church, local organization, friends, or family to converge on
Austin on April 10. There will be a rally on south steps of Capitol
at 4:30 PM, followed by a march at 5:30 PM.

March sponsored by the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition. More info:
300-8011 or airc.atx@gmail.com