Signs Of The Times

Is it any surprise to you that the Super Committee could not do what Congress was supposed to do??? Yeah, right, I would have actually been STUNNED if they had.  There just did not seem to be a sense of urgency, consequently, the idea that they failed is not surprising. And you ask, “Where was our President in all of this?” Well the members of the Super Committee explicitly said that they did not want him to get involved because it was their job. The dysfunction that is obviously contagious in Washington contaminated and overtook the Super Committee.  

On another point . . . does it make sense that a group of people who want to protest and challenge the system ASK permission from their oppressor to protest and challenge the status quo??? Of course mayors all over the United States are forcibly removing OCCUPY activist. “Concessions are not given they are taken.”  -  Malcolm X 

And my last point on this Thanksgiving weekend . . . I sure missed watching pro basketball with my family during our time together. I truly believe that the NBA owners are being GREEDY. The players need better retirement benefits and health coverage after they retire. While I sympathize with the players the real concern is the people; the little people who work for $7 an hour at arenas’ all over the country, the taxi drivers, the restaurant workers at the places fans eat & drink at both before and after the game, those guys selling T-shirts, hats and other paraphernalia, the parking lot attendants, etc. Can they file a class action suit against the NBA for lost wages??? They are the ones who are REALLY suffering due to this lockout. 

Peace, Love, and Thanksgiving

Execution Date Set for September 21st . . . YOU CAN HELP

Troy Anthony Davis was convicted of murdering a Georgia police officer in 1991. Nearly two decades later, Davis remains on death row — even though the case against him has fallen apart. An execution date has been set for September 21, 2011.

Earlier this year Amnesty International issued an “Urgent Action” to mobilize its three million members in Georgia, the United States and around the world to write the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles to advocate for clemency for death row inmate Troy Anthony Davis. It is the fourth urgent action that the human rights organization has issued on behalf of Davis in as many years. WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

1) Sign the petition to the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles, which says:
"We, the undersigned, call on Georgia authorities to take all steps necessary to ensure that Troy Anthony Davis is not executed. Seven of the nine witnesses have changed their story and no physical evidence links Davis to the crime. No one should be executed, especially when there are so many doubts about guilt."
http://signon.org/sign/stop-the-execution-of?source=s.em.mt&r_by=611116

2) Thursday, Sept. 15 10:30am, press conference and delivery of petitions to the Georgia Pardons and Parole Board, Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, 2 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr (across the street from the Capitol; adjacent to Ga. State MARTA station). A number of organizations have been collecting petitions including Amnesty International, the NAACP, Color of Change and the International Action Center. Representatives will deliver these expressions of support for clemency for Troy Davis. Your presence at this press event is most welcome.

3) Friday, Sept. 16 International Day of Solidarity with Troy Davis 6pm
Too Much Doubt To Execute march leaves from Woodruff Park (Peachtree between Auburn and Edgewood) and proceeds to Ebenezer Baptist Church, 407 Auburn Ave. , Atlanta, GA 7pm, program of speakers, music, prayer includes Davis family members, exonerated prisoners, national and local civil rights, community and faith leaders.

Organizations are encouraged to bring their banners. There will be signs available but you can bring your own message. Demonstrations are also taking place in NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, Providence, Detroit, Houston, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Chicago and many other cities in the US.

4) Monday, Sept. 19 8am, prayer vigil in advance of Pardons and Parole Board hearing on clemency for Troy Davis. Floyd Veterans Memorial Building, 2 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr, Atlanta, GA. (across the street from the Capitol; adjacent to Ga. State MARTA station). The Board hearing is not open to the public. The vigil will remain throughout the hearing. Although the petitions collected to date will be turned in on Thursday, online petitions can still be sent as well as faxes, e-mails and phone calls.
For more information, go to www.justicefortroy.org or www.iacenter.org or www.gfadp.org