Espresso Shots [5-14-05]
A Senate Apology on Lynching
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed a non-binding measure issuing an apology to the nation for failing to eliminate the brutal practice of lynching during the tumultuous years following the end of slavery.
Full story from the Washington Post
Another Mississippi Murder Case Re-opened
In a related story, jury selection for 80 year old Klansman, Edgar Ray Killen, is underway in Mississippi. Similar to the Medgar Evers case, in which Byron DeLaBeckwith was convicted of murdering the civil rights leader, the case against Killen is being re-opened in relation to the killings of three voter registration volunteers in Neshoba County.
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed a non-binding measure issuing an apology to the nation for failing to eliminate the brutal practice of lynching during the tumultuous years following the end of slavery.
The U.S. Senate last night approved a resolution apologizing for its failure to enact federal anti-lynching legislation decades ago, marking the first time the body has apologized for the nation's treatment of African Americans.This is certainly a positive development that is a necessary part of the healing process of this country. Though I've heard nothing from Senators Thad Cochran or Trent Lott regarding reasons for their withholding their names as co-sponsors of this resolution, I'm disappointed that the two Senators from my home state did not take the opportunity to voice support.
One-hundred and five years after the first anti-lynching bill was proposed by a black congressman, senators approved by a voice vote Resolution 39, which called for the lawmakers to apologize to lynching victims, survivors and their descendants, several of whom watched from the gallery.
Missing from that list were senators from the state that reported the most lynching incidents: Mississippi Republicans Trent Lott and Thad Cochran.Mississippi played such an ugly part in this reprehensible drama, I can't imagine why these senators did not take the opportunity to demonstrate and acknowledge that past and lead the state in its continued desire for change.
Years ago, African Americans were being beaten and hung, and the people who had the power to do something about it were afraid to do anything or just didn't," [Simeon] Wright said. "Now, their sons and daughters realize how wrong they were, and they want to do something. The apology is appropriate. It was a long time coming, but it is here.Simeon Wright is the cousin of Emmett Till, who was murdered at the age of 14 in Mississippi for whistling at the wife of a white store owner. That case is being reopened for investigation. As the Assistant DA for Hinds County, Mississippi, Bobby DeLaughter, who led the conviction of the murder of Medgar Evers, was quoted as saying, "It's never too late to do the right thing." I couldn't agree more.
Full story from the Washington Post
Another Mississippi Murder Case Re-opened
In a related story, jury selection for 80 year old Klansman, Edgar Ray Killen, is underway in Mississippi. Similar to the Medgar Evers case, in which Byron DeLaBeckwith was convicted of murdering the civil rights leader, the case against Killen is being re-opened in relation to the killings of three voter registration volunteers in Neshoba County.The case against the 80-year-old Killen represents Mississippi's latest attempt to deal with unfinished business from the...Civil Rights Act of 1964. The case was dramatized in the 1988 movie "Mississippi Burning."It's always uncertain as to whether a conviction can be obtained after so much time has passed, especially when it is so important to conclusively identify and convict the guilty party rather than simply getting a conviction for the sole purpose of "healing." It appears, however, that the State has a pretty good case.
Killen was tried along with several others in 1967 on federal charges of violating the victims' civil rights. The all-white jury deadlocked in Killen's case, but seven others were convicted. None served more than six years. Killen is the only person ever indicted on state murder charges in the case.Full story here.
On the other hand, justice isn't always blind
So called "King of Pop," Michael Jackson, was acquitted on all 10 charges related to child molestation brought against him during his trial that ended yesterday. Though I tried to follow this case as little as possible, it appears that Jackson's celebrity status may have played a part in his acquittal. As in the cases against O.J. Simpson and Robert Blake, Jackson more than likely received a life-saving gift by that jury. But that's our justice system...
...case closed.
Do you want to look a little older? Here's how...
According to a recent study reported in Life Style Extra, obesity can add up to nine years to your appearance. Want even better news? Smoke and you add another 4.5. How about that? You can look a combined thirteen and a half years older than you really are! Great, huh?!
Being obese can age people by up to nine years - while smokers look four-and-a-half years older than they really are, a new study shows.So, next time you order that "biggie" size value meal while puffing on a cancer stick, think of the positives: assuming you don't die early of lung disease or heart failure, if they don't ask for identification, you may be able to get the senior discount.
And getting through 20 cigarettes a day for 40 years can put almost seven-and-a-half years on you, the researchers found.
Obesity and smoking are important risk factors for many age-related diseases but it is the first time they have been found to make people "biologically older".
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 6/14/2005 03:50:00 AM
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1 Comments:
The colors green (for your money) and black and white (for all the celebrity photos in newspapers) seem to be the color that matter in the justice system.
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