Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Notre Dame President Emeritus Calls on House Judiciary Chairman and U.S. Attorney General to Meet with Embattled Legal Reform Activist
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Notre Dame President Emeritus Calls on House Judiciary Chairman and U.S. Attorney General to Meet with Embattled Legal Reform Activist Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame at South Bend, Indiana, recently wrote U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. and Attorney General Eric Holder on behalf of Notre Dame graduate and good government advocate, Zena Crenshaw-Logal. Noting that he welcomed President Barack Obama to the university's campus for its 2009 commencement address but had yet to meet them, Hesburgh encouraged Representative Conyers and Attorney General Holder to meet with Zena, describing her as "a young woman with whom I have much in common." Hesburgh wrote Conyers and Holder upon learning of Zena's troubles following her public challenge, "with substantial community support (of alleged) bias by courts of Lake County, Indiana . . ."
Crown Point, IN (PRWEB) October 6, 2009 -- Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame at South Bend, Indiana, recently wrote U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. and Attorney General Eric Holder on behalf of Notre Dame graduate and good government advocate, Zena Crenshaw-Logal. Noting that he welcomed President Barack Obama to the university's campus for its 2009 commencement address but had yet to meet them, Hesburgh encouraged Representative Conyers and Attorney General Holder to meet with Zena, describing her as "a young woman with whom I have much in common."
Reverend or Father Hesburgh as he is also known, has been a priest of the Congregation of the Holy Cross since 1943. He served as Notre Dame's president from 1952 to 1987; accepted sixteen presidential appointments in the interim, including to chair the U.S. Civil Rights Commission; remains a national and international figure at more than 90 years of age; and is arguably the best known educator of the twentieth century. Hesburgh's 150 or so honorary degrees stand as a Guinness Book record. Added to his awards are the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and West Point's distinguished Sylvanus Thayer Award.
Zena wrote Father Hesburgh after he spoke this summer at a dinner honoring her and others during Notre Dame's "2009 Black Alumni Triennial Reunion". Zena's letter to Hesburgh overviews problems following her public challenge, "with substantial community support (of alleged) bias by courts of Lake County, Indiana against minority lawyers prosecuting relatively complex, potentially lucrative personal injuries claims." Zena asserts "(i)n the process our clients experienced staggering losses in increasingly unpopular personal injury matters such as civil rights cases and marginalized victories in routine personal injury disputes such as those premised on minor auto accidents."
The specter of judicial and political bias prompted the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Representative Conyers, to investigate the U.S. Department of Justice. In an October 2007 letter, political insider Paul Minor made an impassioned plea, claiming only Conyer's committee ". . . can help (him, i.e. Minor) prove that the Bush Justice Department's prosecution of (him) and Justice Oliver Diaz, Jr., and Judges Wes Teel and John Whitfield was politically motivated." The U.S. House of Representatives is addressing the high profile Mississippi prosecutions and convictions as evidenced by a joint hearing this summer on "Allegations of Selective Prosecution: The Erosion of Public Confidence in Our Federal Justice System".
Writing as Executive Director of the grassroots reform group known as POPULAR (Power Over Poverty Under Laws of America Restored), Zena points out in a February 2009 letter to Conyers that "(w)ealthy or once wealthy lawyers such as Minor (not to mention former coroners, governors, and judges) are better positioned to correct trial and/or appellate error without legislative action than most American litigants, respondents, and defendants." In fact teaming with the ACORN 8, a nonprofit organization characterized as the people's movement to reform ACORN, Zena explained by press release that "relative lack of wealth literally defines the most vulnerable segment of American society", noting "(w)hen it comes to resources for effectively fighting serious corruption, the overwhelming majority of Americans are poor; not in the sense of being impoverished, but as compared to certain corrupt forces we are compelled to resist."
In his referenced letter, Minor suggests various reasons why a federal judge's handling of his second trial may have been outcome determinative. Zena subsequently advised Chairman Conyers that "(s)uch questioning of the judiciary substantially curtailed if not ended the legal career of every POPULAR founder outside of our advisory board members". Largely at Zena's behest, renowned civil rights activist and former constitutional law professor Thomas N. Todd, called on Conyers to pursue a national administrative agency to regulate speech among lawyers. In August 2007 Todd explained that the reality of 50 different states providing "various interpretations of the federal standard" for a lawyer's free speech can spawn local abuse and a "chilling effect"; particularly when lawyers represent "very, very unpopular clients, . . . as they did in the South."
A March 2009 Washington Post op-ed mused that "(t)he president is . . . trapped between these two realms - - the governing elites who decide things and the people who are governed", asking "(w)hich side is he on?" According to Zena the answer remains to be seen, but she adds "it speaks volumes that only Father Hesburgh intervened; this despite an era of change personified by President Obama, attorney Todd's earlier rallying for First Amendment protections, and the numerous domestic and international leaders I beseeched for the proverbial little guy."
An online newsroom of POPULAR and the ACORN 8 links to detailed accounts of what Zena describes as "compelling pleas for assistance that at best prompted form letters declining investigation by federal authorities." The socio-economic background of those featured seeking help is so diverse that Zena defines the group as "Americans, grappling for justice without the benefit of wealth and prestige beyond accomplishments substantially stripped by arguable abuses of power and certainly under questionable circumstances." That common denominator inspired an op-ed by Zena, concluding in response to the announced fortification of Holder's Civil Rights Division that "(a)nyone legitimately pressing beyond local officials to our federal government for relief, needs a DOJ committed to First Amendment as much if not more than anti-discrimination enforcement."
To read Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh's letter to Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich) and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on behalf of Zena Crenshaw-Logal and learn more about POPULAR as well as the ACORN 8, visit http://www.popular4people.org/OLTW_newsroom.html
Notre Dame President Emeritus Calls on House Judiciary Chairman and U.S. Attorney General to Meet with Embattled Legal Reform Activist Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame at South Bend, Indiana, recently wrote U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. and Attorney General Eric Holder on behalf of Notre Dame graduate and good government advocate, Zena Crenshaw-Logal. Noting that he welcomed President Barack Obama to the university's campus for its 2009 commencement address but had yet to meet them, Hesburgh encouraged Representative Conyers and Attorney General Holder to meet with Zena, describing her as "a young woman with whom I have much in common." Hesburgh wrote Conyers and Holder upon learning of Zena's troubles following her public challenge, "with substantial community support (of alleged) bias by courts of Lake County, Indiana . . ."
Crown Point, IN (PRWEB) October 6, 2009 -- Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame at South Bend, Indiana, recently wrote U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. and Attorney General Eric Holder on behalf of Notre Dame graduate and good government advocate, Zena Crenshaw-Logal. Noting that he welcomed President Barack Obama to the university's campus for its 2009 commencement address but had yet to meet them, Hesburgh encouraged Representative Conyers and Attorney General Holder to meet with Zena, describing her as "a young woman with whom I have much in common."
Reverend or Father Hesburgh as he is also known, has been a priest of the Congregation of the Holy Cross since 1943. He served as Notre Dame's president from 1952 to 1987; accepted sixteen presidential appointments in the interim, including to chair the U.S. Civil Rights Commission; remains a national and international figure at more than 90 years of age; and is arguably the best known educator of the twentieth century. Hesburgh's 150 or so honorary degrees stand as a Guinness Book record. Added to his awards are the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and West Point's distinguished Sylvanus Thayer Award.
Zena wrote Father Hesburgh after he spoke this summer at a dinner honoring her and others during Notre Dame's "2009 Black Alumni Triennial Reunion". Zena's letter to Hesburgh overviews problems following her public challenge, "with substantial community support (of alleged) bias by courts of Lake County, Indiana against minority lawyers prosecuting relatively complex, potentially lucrative personal injuries claims." Zena asserts "(i)n the process our clients experienced staggering losses in increasingly unpopular personal injury matters such as civil rights cases and marginalized victories in routine personal injury disputes such as those premised on minor auto accidents."
The specter of judicial and political bias prompted the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Representative Conyers, to investigate the U.S. Department of Justice. In an October 2007 letter, political insider Paul Minor made an impassioned plea, claiming only Conyer's committee ". . . can help (him, i.e. Minor) prove that the Bush Justice Department's prosecution of (him) and Justice Oliver Diaz, Jr., and Judges Wes Teel and John Whitfield was politically motivated." The U.S. House of Representatives is addressing the high profile Mississippi prosecutions and convictions as evidenced by a joint hearing this summer on "Allegations of Selective Prosecution: The Erosion of Public Confidence in Our Federal Justice System".
Writing as Executive Director of the grassroots reform group known as POPULAR (Power Over Poverty Under Laws of America Restored), Zena points out in a February 2009 letter to Conyers that "(w)ealthy or once wealthy lawyers such as Minor (not to mention former coroners, governors, and judges) are better positioned to correct trial and/or appellate error without legislative action than most American litigants, respondents, and defendants." In fact teaming with the ACORN 8, a nonprofit organization characterized as the people's movement to reform ACORN, Zena explained by press release that "relative lack of wealth literally defines the most vulnerable segment of American society", noting "(w)hen it comes to resources for effectively fighting serious corruption, the overwhelming majority of Americans are poor; not in the sense of being impoverished, but as compared to certain corrupt forces we are compelled to resist."
In his referenced letter, Minor suggests various reasons why a federal judge's handling of his second trial may have been outcome determinative. Zena subsequently advised Chairman Conyers that "(s)uch questioning of the judiciary substantially curtailed if not ended the legal career of every POPULAR founder outside of our advisory board members". Largely at Zena's behest, renowned civil rights activist and former constitutional law professor Thomas N. Todd, called on Conyers to pursue a national administrative agency to regulate speech among lawyers. In August 2007 Todd explained that the reality of 50 different states providing "various interpretations of the federal standard" for a lawyer's free speech can spawn local abuse and a "chilling effect"; particularly when lawyers represent "very, very unpopular clients, . . . as they did in the South."
A March 2009 Washington Post op-ed mused that "(t)he president is . . . trapped between these two realms - - the governing elites who decide things and the people who are governed", asking "(w)hich side is he on?" According to Zena the answer remains to be seen, but she adds "it speaks volumes that only Father Hesburgh intervened; this despite an era of change personified by President Obama, attorney Todd's earlier rallying for First Amendment protections, and the numerous domestic and international leaders I beseeched for the proverbial little guy."
An online newsroom of POPULAR and the ACORN 8 links to detailed accounts of what Zena describes as "compelling pleas for assistance that at best prompted form letters declining investigation by federal authorities." The socio-economic background of those featured seeking help is so diverse that Zena defines the group as "Americans, grappling for justice without the benefit of wealth and prestige beyond accomplishments substantially stripped by arguable abuses of power and certainly under questionable circumstances." That common denominator inspired an op-ed by Zena, concluding in response to the announced fortification of Holder's Civil Rights Division that "(a)nyone legitimately pressing beyond local officials to our federal government for relief, needs a DOJ committed to First Amendment as much if not more than anti-discrimination enforcement."
To read Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh's letter to Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich) and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on behalf of Zena Crenshaw-Logal and learn more about POPULAR as well as the ACORN 8, visit http://www.popular4people.org/OLTW_newsroom.html
Grassroots Reformers Announce Urgent Measure Following "Global Corruption Barometer 2009"
All Press Releases for June 18, 2009 Subscribe to this News Feed
Grassroots Reformers Announce Urgent Measure Following "Global Corruption Barometer 2009"
The grassroots good government and legal reform advocate known as POPULAR, Inc. announces the 2009 midyear recipients of its "Restore Integrity Award". Co-administrators of the award program conclude it is an "urgent measure given results and implications of the Global Corruption Barometer 2009 of Transparency International, a prestigious anti-corruption coalition."
Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 18, 2009 -- The grassroots good government and legal reform advocate known as POPULAR, Inc. (POPULAR) announces the 2009 midyear recipients of its "Restore Integrity Award". The award program is co-administered by POPULAR's Advisory Board President Katherine Moore and Advisory Board Vice President Nancy Swan. They explain that the group's "Restore Integrity Award" is awarded bi-annually in the categories of public sector, private sector, and grassroots advocacy.
According to Advisory Board President Moore, "all of POPULAR's award recipients have taken or otherwise pursued one or more specific acts or measures to eliminate significant inequity, waste, fraud, abuse, or other public and/or private sector corruption in America." Advisory Board Vice President Swan conveys that "POPULAR defines corruption as any illegal or unethical conduct contributing to the systemic malfunction of government, commerce, and/or democracy in America as contemplated by the U.S. Constitution." Moore and Swan note that POPULAR's "Restore Integrity Award" is an urgent measure given results and implications of the "Global Corruption Barometer 2009" of Transparency International (TI), a prestigious anti-corruption coalition.
urgent measure given results and implications of the Global Corruption Barometer 2009 of Transparency International, a prestigious anti-corruption coalition.
all of POPULAR's award recipients have taken or otherwise pursued one or more specific acts or measures to eliminate significant inequity, waste, fraud, abuse, or other public and/or private sector corruption in America.
POPULAR defines corruption as any illegal or unethical conduct contributing to the systemic malfunction of government, commerce, and/or democracy in America as contemplated by the U.S. Constitution.
in their county the private sector used bribery to influence government policies, laws, and regulations.
there needs to be greater effort made to ensure that the general public has access to and believes in the effectiveness of formal reporting mechanisms.
these individuals have exhibited courage and bravery without any regard to personal gain and we laud them for ideals that are consistent with POPULAR's goals.
POPULAR seeks out and honors those worthy of the Restore Integrity Award, our sometimes silent heroes who break down proverbial walls of silence and light the way for others, and who serve to inspire, encourage, and help others join to restore integrity.
The National Criminal Justice Act of 2009
undertake a top-to-bottom review of (America's) entire criminal justice system
the people's movement to reform ACORN.
Power Over Poverty Under Laws of America Restored
TI indicates that overall perception of corruption has increased 8 percent worldwide. The group's Global Corruption Barometer 2009 reports a stunning 61% of surveyed Americans and Canadians believing "in their county the private sector used bribery to influence government policies, laws, and regulations." TI's 2009 barometer indicates "there needs to be greater effort made to ensure that the general public has access to and believes in the effectiveness of formal reporting mechanisms."
POPULAR's Moore and Swan believe their group's first round of award recipients deserve recognition for their efforts to expose and combat corruption, poverty, unethical behavior in public and private institutions, and to provide relief as well as evoke helpful reform. Moore adds "these individuals have exhibited courage and bravery without any regard to personal gain and we laud them for ideals that are consistent with POPULAR's goals." Swan interjects that "POPULAR seeks out and honors those worthy of the Restore Integrity Award, our sometimes silent heroes who break down proverbial walls of silence and light the way for others, and who serve to inspire, encourage, and help others join to restore integrity."
POPULAR's 2009 midyear "Restore Integrity Award" recipients are as follows:
Public Sector Category:
- Senator Richard (Dick) Durbin (D-IL) for declaring that banks which enabled America's current financial crisis, remain the most powerful lobby on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. and "frankly own the place" as his colleagues in the U.S. Senate vote down his proposed amendment to a bill that would have allowed bankruptcy judges to help desperate homeowners renegotiate their mortgage payments.
- Senator James (Jim) Henry Webb, Jr. (D-Va) for introducing "The National Criminal Justice Act of 2009" calling for a national commission to "undertake a top-to-bottom review of (America's) entire criminal justice system" and offer recommendations for reform.
Private Sector Category:
- Dr. Richard I. Fine for being the first attorney to expose the illegality and inherent conflicts of interests spawned by the now notorious, "double benefits" payments from Los Angeles County, California to the state's superior court judges, all to Fine's professional and personal detriment as he was subsequently disbarred and jailed indefinitely on contempt of court charges.
Grassroots Advocacy Category:
- Ms. Marcel Reid and Ms. Karen Inman, co-recipients, for spearheading the grassroots fight for truth, transparency, and accountability within ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), a purported advocate for low and moderate income people. Reid and Inman began their fight to reform ACORN while serving on its now defunct, Interim Management Committee and are among the co-founders of ACORN 8, "the people's movement to reform ACORN."
- Mr. William (Bill) Stegmeier for financially underwriting America's highest profile though failed ballot initiative to accomplish substantial citizen oversight of alleged judicial misconduct known as the South Dakota J.A.I.L. (Judicial Accountability Initiative Law) Initiative or Amendment E.
POPULAR will mail all of its 2009 midyear "Restore Integrity Award" recipients an encased certificate, commemorating their award. They were personally notified of and congratulated for receiving the award prior to this public announcement. POPULAR will announce its second round of award recipients in December 2009.
POPULAR is an acronym for "Power Over Poverty Under Laws of America Restored". The nonprofit corporation is essentially an association of public interest attorneys and Juris Doctors, advised by a board of nonlawyer, community leaders. These good government advocates are committed to helping poor and other disadvantaged people access affordable and competent legal representation, appropriate judicial oversight, and important civil and criminal justice system reforms. See: http://www.popular4people.org
###
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Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/VGhpci1TaW5nLVNxdWEtRmFsdS1JbnNlLUNvdXAtWmVybw==
transparency international global corruption barometer 2009 senator dick durbin senator jim webb marcel reid richard i. fine karen inman bill stegmeier restore integrity award power over poverty under laws of america restored popular's restore integrity award
Grassroots Reformers Announce Urgent Measure Following "Global Corruption Barometer 2009"
The grassroots good government and legal reform advocate known as POPULAR, Inc. announces the 2009 midyear recipients of its "Restore Integrity Award". Co-administrators of the award program conclude it is an "urgent measure given results and implications of the Global Corruption Barometer 2009 of Transparency International, a prestigious anti-corruption coalition."
Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 18, 2009 -- The grassroots good government and legal reform advocate known as POPULAR, Inc. (POPULAR) announces the 2009 midyear recipients of its "Restore Integrity Award". The award program is co-administered by POPULAR's Advisory Board President Katherine Moore and Advisory Board Vice President Nancy Swan. They explain that the group's "Restore Integrity Award" is awarded bi-annually in the categories of public sector, private sector, and grassroots advocacy.
According to Advisory Board President Moore, "all of POPULAR's award recipients have taken or otherwise pursued one or more specific acts or measures to eliminate significant inequity, waste, fraud, abuse, or other public and/or private sector corruption in America." Advisory Board Vice President Swan conveys that "POPULAR defines corruption as any illegal or unethical conduct contributing to the systemic malfunction of government, commerce, and/or democracy in America as contemplated by the U.S. Constitution." Moore and Swan note that POPULAR's "Restore Integrity Award" is an urgent measure given results and implications of the "Global Corruption Barometer 2009" of Transparency International (TI), a prestigious anti-corruption coalition.
urgent measure given results and implications of the Global Corruption Barometer 2009 of Transparency International, a prestigious anti-corruption coalition.
all of POPULAR's award recipients have taken or otherwise pursued one or more specific acts or measures to eliminate significant inequity, waste, fraud, abuse, or other public and/or private sector corruption in America.
POPULAR defines corruption as any illegal or unethical conduct contributing to the systemic malfunction of government, commerce, and/or democracy in America as contemplated by the U.S. Constitution.
in their county the private sector used bribery to influence government policies, laws, and regulations.
there needs to be greater effort made to ensure that the general public has access to and believes in the effectiveness of formal reporting mechanisms.
these individuals have exhibited courage and bravery without any regard to personal gain and we laud them for ideals that are consistent with POPULAR's goals.
POPULAR seeks out and honors those worthy of the Restore Integrity Award, our sometimes silent heroes who break down proverbial walls of silence and light the way for others, and who serve to inspire, encourage, and help others join to restore integrity.
The National Criminal Justice Act of 2009
undertake a top-to-bottom review of (America's) entire criminal justice system
the people's movement to reform ACORN.
Power Over Poverty Under Laws of America Restored
TI indicates that overall perception of corruption has increased 8 percent worldwide. The group's Global Corruption Barometer 2009 reports a stunning 61% of surveyed Americans and Canadians believing "in their county the private sector used bribery to influence government policies, laws, and regulations." TI's 2009 barometer indicates "there needs to be greater effort made to ensure that the general public has access to and believes in the effectiveness of formal reporting mechanisms."
POPULAR's Moore and Swan believe their group's first round of award recipients deserve recognition for their efforts to expose and combat corruption, poverty, unethical behavior in public and private institutions, and to provide relief as well as evoke helpful reform. Moore adds "these individuals have exhibited courage and bravery without any regard to personal gain and we laud them for ideals that are consistent with POPULAR's goals." Swan interjects that "POPULAR seeks out and honors those worthy of the Restore Integrity Award, our sometimes silent heroes who break down proverbial walls of silence and light the way for others, and who serve to inspire, encourage, and help others join to restore integrity."
POPULAR's 2009 midyear "Restore Integrity Award" recipients are as follows:
Public Sector Category:
- Senator Richard (Dick) Durbin (D-IL) for declaring that banks which enabled America's current financial crisis, remain the most powerful lobby on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. and "frankly own the place" as his colleagues in the U.S. Senate vote down his proposed amendment to a bill that would have allowed bankruptcy judges to help desperate homeowners renegotiate their mortgage payments.
- Senator James (Jim) Henry Webb, Jr. (D-Va) for introducing "The National Criminal Justice Act of 2009" calling for a national commission to "undertake a top-to-bottom review of (America's) entire criminal justice system" and offer recommendations for reform.
Private Sector Category:
- Dr. Richard I. Fine for being the first attorney to expose the illegality and inherent conflicts of interests spawned by the now notorious, "double benefits" payments from Los Angeles County, California to the state's superior court judges, all to Fine's professional and personal detriment as he was subsequently disbarred and jailed indefinitely on contempt of court charges.
Grassroots Advocacy Category:
- Ms. Marcel Reid and Ms. Karen Inman, co-recipients, for spearheading the grassroots fight for truth, transparency, and accountability within ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), a purported advocate for low and moderate income people. Reid and Inman began their fight to reform ACORN while serving on its now defunct, Interim Management Committee and are among the co-founders of ACORN 8, "the people's movement to reform ACORN."
- Mr. William (Bill) Stegmeier for financially underwriting America's highest profile though failed ballot initiative to accomplish substantial citizen oversight of alleged judicial misconduct known as the South Dakota J.A.I.L. (Judicial Accountability Initiative Law) Initiative or Amendment E.
POPULAR will mail all of its 2009 midyear "Restore Integrity Award" recipients an encased certificate, commemorating their award. They were personally notified of and congratulated for receiving the award prior to this public announcement. POPULAR will announce its second round of award recipients in December 2009.
POPULAR is an acronym for "Power Over Poverty Under Laws of America Restored". The nonprofit corporation is essentially an association of public interest attorneys and Juris Doctors, advised by a board of nonlawyer, community leaders. These good government advocates are committed to helping poor and other disadvantaged people access affordable and competent legal representation, appropriate judicial oversight, and important civil and criminal justice system reforms. See: http://www.popular4people.org
###
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Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/VGhpci1TaW5nLVNxdWEtRmFsdS1JbnNlLUNvdXAtWmVybw==
transparency international global corruption barometer 2009 senator dick durbin senator jim webb marcel reid richard i. fine karen inman bill stegmeier restore integrity award power over poverty under laws of america restored popular's restore integrity award
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
"Obama Lights The Way" Campaign And Candlelight Vigils For Justice
Anti-Corruption Advocates Announce Their "Obama Lights The Way" Campaign And Candlelight Vigils For Justice
POPULAR is the acronym for Power Over Poverty Under Laws of America Restored. It is also an association of public interest attorneys and Juris Doctors, advised by a board of nonlawyer community leaders. Writing on behalf of "poor and otherwise disenfranchised U.S. citizens", POPULAR urged President-Elect Obama, through his virtual office at Change.Gov, to foster a Justice Department that fervently prosecutes criminal violations of civil and constitutional rights. According to POPULAR Advisory Board Vice-President Nancy Swan, the online communication started what the group calls its "Obama Lights The Way" campaign. "Our campaign is to include candlelight vigils for justice; periodic, post-inauguration requests that the Justice Department investigate certain violations of civil, constitutional, and/or human rights; and corresponding evaluations of the Justice Department's user-friendliness," explains Swan. Washington, DC (PRWEB) December 18, 2008 -- POPULAR is the acronym for Power Over Poverty Under Laws of America Restored. It is also an association of public interest attorneys and Juris Doctors, advised by a board of nonlawyer community leaders. As its name suggests, POPULAR strives to tear down the figurative "Wall Of Poverty" by helping safeguard justice and the rule of law in America, particularly when people, cases, and causes are unpopular. "They are especially hindered by over-reaching, judiciary created civil immunities; the vanishing right to jury trial; and inaccessible grand juries," says POPULAR's executive director, Zena Crenshaw Logal. Writing on behalf of "poor and otherwise disenfranchised U.S. citizens", POPULAR urged President-Elect Obama, through his virtual office at Change.Gov, to foster a Justice Department that fervently prosecutes criminal violations of civil and constitutional rights. According to POPULAR Advisory Board Vice-President Nancy Swan, the online communication started what the group calls its "Obama Lights The Way" campaign. "Our campaign is to include candlelight vigils for justice; periodic, post-inauguration requests that the Justice Department investigate certain violations of civil, constitutional, and/or human rights; and corresponding evaluations of the Justice Department's user-friendliness," explains Swan. The POPULAR website details criteria the group is to use for evaluating the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, of President Obama's Justice Department. "We'll be gauging the section's POPULARITY from the perspective of average Americans," says retired attorney Dale Nathan, POPULAR's Board President. He adds, "Assessing the section will come down to determining whether its staff members are fair, which involves grading everything from their cordiality, attentiveness, and promptness, to their reasonableness, general competence, persistence, and effectiveness." POPULAR Deputy Director and Board Secretary Dr. Andrew D. Jackson, expressed hope that the "Obama Lights The Way" campaign will be interactive. "Starting on December 18, 2008, and continuing indefinitely, we want groups of one or more holding candlelight vigils for justice all over the world and emailing us pictures of their events for our website," says POPULAR's Advisory Board President Katherine Moore. POPULAR Advisory Board members Michayl Mellen and George Stokes are planning a relatively large December 18, candlelight vigil in Abilene, Texas. POPULAR Board Treasurer Dr. Mark Adams will be interviewing and filming good government advocates at his candlelight vigil in the Tampa Bay, Florida area on December 18, 2008. Arrangements are being made for POPULAR Board member Dr. Glenn Vickers Bey to coordinate a large candlelight vigil in New York state. "Hopefully President-Elect Obama will light the way to more justice in America and POPULAR will shine a light on injustice in Taylor County, Texas and beyond," says Michayl Mellen and George Stokes of the group's advisory board. According to POPULAR's Board treasurer Dr. Mark Adams, "Justice is mentioned more than taxes in the Declaration of Independence because our Founders understood that without justice, there can be no peace and there can be no prosperity." Advisory Board Vice-President Swan adds that "this season, more than any other time in the history of the world, we need to honor our holiday obligation to others, to work for world peace, to fight injustice, and give to those less fortunate." To learn more about the "Obama Lights The Way" campaign, including how alleged criminal violations of rights can be submitted by POPULAR to the Obama Justice Department, visit http://www.popular4people.org/Home.html. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1763674.htm
POPULAR is the acronym for Power Over Poverty Under Laws of America Restored. It is also an association of public interest attorneys and Juris Doctors, advised by a board of nonlawyer community leaders. Writing on behalf of "poor and otherwise disenfranchised U.S. citizens", POPULAR urged President-Elect Obama, through his virtual office at Change.Gov, to foster a Justice Department that fervently prosecutes criminal violations of civil and constitutional rights. According to POPULAR Advisory Board Vice-President Nancy Swan, the online communication started what the group calls its "Obama Lights The Way" campaign. "Our campaign is to include candlelight vigils for justice; periodic, post-inauguration requests that the Justice Department investigate certain violations of civil, constitutional, and/or human rights; and corresponding evaluations of the Justice Department's user-friendliness," explains Swan. Washington, DC (PRWEB) December 18, 2008 -- POPULAR is the acronym for Power Over Poverty Under Laws of America Restored. It is also an association of public interest attorneys and Juris Doctors, advised by a board of nonlawyer community leaders. As its name suggests, POPULAR strives to tear down the figurative "Wall Of Poverty" by helping safeguard justice and the rule of law in America, particularly when people, cases, and causes are unpopular. "They are especially hindered by over-reaching, judiciary created civil immunities; the vanishing right to jury trial; and inaccessible grand juries," says POPULAR's executive director, Zena Crenshaw Logal. Writing on behalf of "poor and otherwise disenfranchised U.S. citizens", POPULAR urged President-Elect Obama, through his virtual office at Change.Gov, to foster a Justice Department that fervently prosecutes criminal violations of civil and constitutional rights. According to POPULAR Advisory Board Vice-President Nancy Swan, the online communication started what the group calls its "Obama Lights The Way" campaign. "Our campaign is to include candlelight vigils for justice; periodic, post-inauguration requests that the Justice Department investigate certain violations of civil, constitutional, and/or human rights; and corresponding evaluations of the Justice Department's user-friendliness," explains Swan. The POPULAR website details criteria the group is to use for evaluating the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, of President Obama's Justice Department. "We'll be gauging the section's POPULARITY from the perspective of average Americans," says retired attorney Dale Nathan, POPULAR's Board President. He adds, "Assessing the section will come down to determining whether its staff members are fair, which involves grading everything from their cordiality, attentiveness, and promptness, to their reasonableness, general competence, persistence, and effectiveness." POPULAR Deputy Director and Board Secretary Dr. Andrew D. Jackson, expressed hope that the "Obama Lights The Way" campaign will be interactive. "Starting on December 18, 2008, and continuing indefinitely, we want groups of one or more holding candlelight vigils for justice all over the world and emailing us pictures of their events for our website," says POPULAR's Advisory Board President Katherine Moore. POPULAR Advisory Board members Michayl Mellen and George Stokes are planning a relatively large December 18, candlelight vigil in Abilene, Texas. POPULAR Board Treasurer Dr. Mark Adams will be interviewing and filming good government advocates at his candlelight vigil in the Tampa Bay, Florida area on December 18, 2008. Arrangements are being made for POPULAR Board member Dr. Glenn Vickers Bey to coordinate a large candlelight vigil in New York state. "Hopefully President-Elect Obama will light the way to more justice in America and POPULAR will shine a light on injustice in Taylor County, Texas and beyond," says Michayl Mellen and George Stokes of the group's advisory board. According to POPULAR's Board treasurer Dr. Mark Adams, "Justice is mentioned more than taxes in the Declaration of Independence because our Founders understood that without justice, there can be no peace and there can be no prosperity." Advisory Board Vice-President Swan adds that "this season, more than any other time in the history of the world, we need to honor our holiday obligation to others, to work for world peace, to fight injustice, and give to those less fortunate." To learn more about the "Obama Lights The Way" campaign, including how alleged criminal violations of rights can be submitted by POPULAR to the Obama Justice Department, visit http://www.popular4people.org/Home.html. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1763674.htm
Monday, August 18, 2008
America Today Entry for August 18, 2008
America Today
With all the concern and worries about the American Economy, there is one multi-billion dollar industry that is booming and seeing record high numbers in production. The American Criminal Justice and Prison System, it is really not focused on or talked about in the media. America the leader of the free world accounts for a full quarter (25%) of the worlds prison population, yet the U.S. only represents (5%) of the worlds total population. According to the studies done by T.E.A. (Tyranny Ended in America) a grassroots organization based in Southern California 2.3 Million Americans are incarcerated nation wide. Apparently these numbers do not include the thousands of children detained in juvenile detention centers across the nation. With numbers like these steady on the rise it promises at least one business in America that should have no concern about economic distress.
A deeper look into "The System" should shock the conscience of any believer in the principles America was founded on. The belief that all men are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights, among of which are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. The laws of nature, equity, fundamental, and constitutional rights. A reasonable mind would think that the criminal justice and prison systems have been established to maintain stability, secure and protect society against the most violent and predatory criminals to make a statement and deterrence to these crimes but anyone who knows or has experienced certain aspects about the current system in America will know this is not the case. That it is at the least broken and dysfunctional, it burdens tax payers, destroys families ruins communities and dissolves society as a whole. Hundreds of thousands are being railroaded into the system by corrupt or ignorant officials. From the classrooms in our children's schools to our courtrooms downtown. Many are processed threw due to incompetent or inept legal representation assigned by the courts. Over 95% of convicted felony cases do not even go to jury trial, instead take a plea agreement, often under threats by Police, District Attorneys and even Judges. Constitutional Rights are violated and ignored with no relief granted and with mandatory sentencing and lengthy sentence to first time offenders. The penitentiary not only hold the most violent and predatory of criminals, but thrown into the mix are non-violent drug offenders, the mentally ill and incompetent, and children who are certified then processed into adult prisons through juvenile courts. Penitentiaries are over crowded making perfect breeding grounds for disease and violence, which eventually pour out into our communities as human viruses created by the system. These viruses (individuals released from prison) spread diseases and terrorize communities with survival skills learned in the penitentiary, many products of the system are Fathers, Brothers and relatives of children and the only role-model these children have. Which leaves the critical question of where these children will eventually end up!!??!!
My own experience with the Texas Criminal Justice System started at the age of 15 I am now 19, I have witnessed first hand from classrooms full of "At Risk Children" to juvenile halls in both Texas and California, solitary cells and now the Texas Prison System. T.D.C.J. where I was seemingly herded into with countless others like cattle. given a number as identification which brought to mind the millions of Jews who had numbers burned and tattooed into their skin during the Holocaust. My number burned into my mind never to be forgotten. This testimony is one of thousands if not millions across the Country. The principle America was founded on are being violated or ignored. The reality of this matter is simply being masked by legal interpretations and justifications as a curtain over the ugly truth hidden behind. To tear down these curtains and expose the truth is to up hold equity and strengthen our foundations. Not all Officials are corrupt, and not all of the system is unjust and wrong. Stability is needed, and the society we live in needs to be protected, but a full investigation of the facts and statistics show the current system does not work. It is no resolution or deterrence to crime. If the ultimate goal is to protect society as a whole, lower crime rates, and better living conditions change is needed. Study after study has prov-en the current one has only worsened the situation on the other hand if the current system of incarceration and oppression is exactly what has been intended then we the people have a duty to stand on our natural, fundamental, and constitutional rights to educate ourselves, come together as one conscience mind under Divine Providence and oppose this system that is destroying our families and deteriorating our communities. The mind and spirit of man is powerful when opened and utilized. Together we can overcome.
Juan Manuel Albarado
With all the concern and worries about the American Economy, there is one multi-billion dollar industry that is booming and seeing record high numbers in production. The American Criminal Justice and Prison System, it is really not focused on or talked about in the media. America the leader of the free world accounts for a full quarter (25%) of the worlds prison population, yet the U.S. only represents (5%) of the worlds total population. According to the studies done by T.E.A. (Tyranny Ended in America) a grassroots organization based in Southern California 2.3 Million Americans are incarcerated nation wide. Apparently these numbers do not include the thousands of children detained in juvenile detention centers across the nation. With numbers like these steady on the rise it promises at least one business in America that should have no concern about economic distress.
A deeper look into "The System" should shock the conscience of any believer in the principles America was founded on. The belief that all men are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights, among of which are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. The laws of nature, equity, fundamental, and constitutional rights. A reasonable mind would think that the criminal justice and prison systems have been established to maintain stability, secure and protect society against the most violent and predatory criminals to make a statement and deterrence to these crimes but anyone who knows or has experienced certain aspects about the current system in America will know this is not the case. That it is at the least broken and dysfunctional, it burdens tax payers, destroys families ruins communities and dissolves society as a whole. Hundreds of thousands are being railroaded into the system by corrupt or ignorant officials. From the classrooms in our children's schools to our courtrooms downtown. Many are processed threw due to incompetent or inept legal representation assigned by the courts. Over 95% of convicted felony cases do not even go to jury trial, instead take a plea agreement, often under threats by Police, District Attorneys and even Judges. Constitutional Rights are violated and ignored with no relief granted and with mandatory sentencing and lengthy sentence to first time offenders. The penitentiary not only hold the most violent and predatory of criminals, but thrown into the mix are non-violent drug offenders, the mentally ill and incompetent, and children who are certified then processed into adult prisons through juvenile courts. Penitentiaries are over crowded making perfect breeding grounds for disease and violence, which eventually pour out into our communities as human viruses created by the system. These viruses (individuals released from prison) spread diseases and terrorize communities with survival skills learned in the penitentiary, many products of the system are Fathers, Brothers and relatives of children and the only role-model these children have. Which leaves the critical question of where these children will eventually end up!!??!!
My own experience with the Texas Criminal Justice System started at the age of 15 I am now 19, I have witnessed first hand from classrooms full of "At Risk Children" to juvenile halls in both Texas and California, solitary cells and now the Texas Prison System. T.D.C.J. where I was seemingly herded into with countless others like cattle. given a number as identification which brought to mind the millions of Jews who had numbers burned and tattooed into their skin during the Holocaust. My number burned into my mind never to be forgotten. This testimony is one of thousands if not millions across the Country. The principle America was founded on are being violated or ignored. The reality of this matter is simply being masked by legal interpretations and justifications as a curtain over the ugly truth hidden behind. To tear down these curtains and expose the truth is to up hold equity and strengthen our foundations. Not all Officials are corrupt, and not all of the system is unjust and wrong. Stability is needed, and the society we live in needs to be protected, but a full investigation of the facts and statistics show the current system does not work. It is no resolution or deterrence to crime. If the ultimate goal is to protect society as a whole, lower crime rates, and better living conditions change is needed. Study after study has prov-en the current one has only worsened the situation on the other hand if the current system of incarceration and oppression is exactly what has been intended then we the people have a duty to stand on our natural, fundamental, and constitutional rights to educate ourselves, come together as one conscience mind under Divine Providence and oppose this system that is destroying our families and deteriorating our communities. The mind and spirit of man is powerful when opened and utilized. Together we can overcome.
Juan Manuel Albarado
Monday, July 21, 2008
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