California has 648 condemned inmates
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Historic Death Row reprieve
ILLINOIS: Gov. Ryan spares 167, ignites national debate
- Reynolds Holding, Chronicle Staff WriterSunday, January 12, 2003
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In the largest purge of death row in U.S. history, Illinois Gov. George Ryan on Saturday spared the lives of 167 men and women condemned to execution - - the most damning blow to capital punishment since the Supreme Court struck down states' former death penalty laws 30 years ago.
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The bold move, involving cases in which more than 250 people were murdered, roiled anew the debate over capital punishment, galvanizing opponents of executions as well as death penalty supporters who predicted a backlash in favor of their views.
But Ryan, whose term ends Monday under a shadow of corruption charges, stressed in a letter to the families of murder victims that he could not "take the risk that we may execute an innocent person."
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"Our capital system," he said in a speech Saturday, "is haunted by the demon of error, error in determining guilt and error in determining who among the guilty deserves to die. What effect was race having?
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What effect was poverty having?
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"Because of all these reasons, today I am commuting the sentences of all Death Row inmates."
In California, whose 612 capital inmates constitute the nation's largest Death Row, the news prompted anger, optimism and caution among lawyers and public officials on both sides of the death penalty issue.
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All agreed there would be little immediate impact in the state, where Gov. Gray Davis has maintained staunch support for capital punishment. But California's chief death penalty prosecutor predicted difficult times ahead for opponents of executions.
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Source:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/01/12/MN189421.DTL
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Clemency is rarely dispensed to death row inmates these days
By DAVID KRAVETS, AP Legal Affairs Writer
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
(12-07) 00:08 PST SACRAMENTO, (AP) --
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Politics and history will not be on Stanley Tookie Williams' side Thursday when the founder of the murderous Crips gang asks Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to spare his life for killing four people during two robberies 26 years ago.
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Except for Illinois Gov. George Ryan's 2003 decision to clear out death row in his final hours in office, clemency is a gubernatorial option rarely exercised in today's tough-on-crime climate.
"There are three reasons why clemency is hardly given now," said Michael Radelet, a University of Colorado sociology professor. "One is politics. Two is politics and three is politics."
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The last California governor to grant clemency was Ronald Reagan in 1967, but the case was far different from Williams' situation and times have changed dramatically since then.
The life-and-death power bestowed on the kings of England and transferred to governors and presidents of the United States has become a little-used option in the three decades since states resumed executions.
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Before 1976, the year the U.S. Supreme Court allowed capital punishment to resume after a brief hiatus, clemency was routinely granted. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 204 inmates nationwide were spared between 1960 and 1970.
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Excluding the 167 Illinois inmates whose death sentences were commuted in 2003, only 63 lives have been spared since 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
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Most of those acts of mercy were the result of defendants' mental infirmities, doubts about their guilt, or efforts to build confidence in the death penalty system. Last week Virginia's governor commuted a death sentence because a pair of bloody scissors was improperly destroyed after the trial, depriving the defense of the opportunity to conduct new DNA tests.

Source:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/12/06/state/n180143S11.DTL
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1. Is the death penalty right for some murders? (Mass murderers, terrorists, murderers of children, etc.) Yes or No
2. Is Life in Prison without the possibility of parole an option? Yes or No
3. How do you feel about the Death Penalty?
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Not a typical December blog, but at least current. Love and Peace. Prayers and Hope for our Troops at War. Yes, I am Proud to be an American. God Bless. ;-) GC

A Time to Reflect

The current conflict in Iraq gives us a chance to re-examine history. The Nazis, Fascist Italians, and Imperialistic Japanese are obvious threats. Was Iraq a threat to World Peace? Only time will provide the answer that question.

Until they return safely. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS in Iraq and else where!!!!!

Following is a link to info on the Surrender of the Japanese on the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945 –

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/ac00001/ac02719c.htm

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” *

Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)

*Click the following for a different view on this quote

http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/20/2004/584

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PS Donate to Hurricane relief. ;-) GC

Sixty Years Ago Today - WWII

“World War II, also known as the Second World War, was by far the bloodiest, most expensive, and most significant war in modern history, estimated to have cost more than all previous wars in history combined. The conflict began on September 1, 1939 (by most Western accounts) and lasted until 1945, involving the majority of the world's countries. Virtually all countries that participated in World War I were involved in World War II.”

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II)

World War II would begin with the Hitler’s invasion of Poland. Six years and one day later, the Japanese would sign the treaty to end World War II on the decks of the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945.

For this family, we can boast two Veterans of that great conflict. My father Gene D. Costales and my father-in-law Lorrin E. Smith. To these and other WWII Vets our heartfelt thanks and endless graditude. ;-) GC

PS God Bless America. Katrina is gone, I'll be donating blood when I get the chance. ;-) GC

And after the strife of war begins the strife of peace. - Carl Sandberg

More Black History: The Brownsville Raid

Black Soldiers, Racists, a Dead White Texan, and Teddy Roosevelt

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(about the "Brownsville Mutiny" in 1906)

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http://www.cs.wcu.edu/~kris/index.cgi?page=history - this maybe a dead link. So, cut and paste the link. I promise you'll be enlightened.

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This was an excellent essay - well written, concise, and well researched. I would like to reply to the author and congratulate her on such an excellent job. There is also an account of the Brownsville Raid in Theodore Rex - a biography about Teddy Roosevelt - that I would recommend.
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Black history is more than Martin Luther King Jr. ;-) GC

February 21, 1965 - Malcom X Remembered

I need to do something for Black History Month. Here's a link for Malcolm X.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcom_X
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Title: Seventh Child: A Family Memoir of Malcolm X
Author: Rodney P. Collins with A. Peter Bailey
Published: New York: Dafina; London: Turnaround, 2002
Notes: Originally published: Secaucus, N.J.: Carol, 1998
ISBN: 0758201176

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This is the book I've read about Malcolm X and I also recommend the movie by Spike Lee, Malcolm X (1992). Both are excellent. Rodney P. Collins is Malcolm's nephew. Collins offers a different view of Malcolm - the family man and his Uncle. Collins is biased and has a belief in a conspiracy by either or both the CIA and/or FBI in the assassination of his Uncle. But, then again Collins maybe partially right about American government involvement or lack of involvement as Collins claims. There is also a reprint edition of The Autobiography of Malcolm X, ISBN: 0345350685 with a new introduction by one of his daughter. The Autobiography was really ghost written by Alex Haley, who would later pen the epic ROOTS. ;-) GC
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PS I planned to read The Autobiography of Malcolm X this Summer and actually read the introductions. But, I opted for lighter and fun reading. I did do some serious reading last Summer and needed a break from serious books. ;-) GC

The Battle of the Bulge WWII

Now a days the phrase "Battle of the Bulge" would be a reference to holiday weight gain. But, 60 years ago it was a term given to the last major Nazi offensive of WWII. I'd read that it was "The greatest moment of the American Infantryman!" The Battle started on December 16, 1944 and end January 15, 1945. Click on the following for more information.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II/Battle_of_the_Bulge

We just got our tree up.
Posted by Hello

It's December Already!

Well, I can't believe another year is almost done. Today is Pearl Habor Day, “. . . A Date Which Will Live in Infamy...” , December 7th 1941.
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With Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, fighting another war against terror, let's pray for their safety and the families waiting for their safe return. This time of year is certainly a time of reflection but also a time for the renewal of hope. I hope you have a Merry December. More later. GC

Thanksgiving Thoughts

With all the violence in the World [especially on NBA basketball courts ;-)], it may cause some people to ask, “What is there to be thankful for?”
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My daughter recently said, “Dad, you should read about something besides War.” I didn’t reply, but should have said, “I read history to gain an understanding of what brought us here. And to have a feel on what is to come.” These times are not the worst period to live in. Having read some history, one can see that we live in a great period of history. Despite our problems the Present and the Future is still a time of great expectations and promise.
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This is not your typical Thanksgiving message. And, I am thankful for the Family, Friends, etc. But, I know that there are problems to be solved, issues to be raised, a Future to be lived in, and History to be written. I am not now content to sit idly by. I have a voice and I plan to use it. And this blog is hopefully a place where my voice and other voices can sound, cheer, moan, and shape understanding. This seems to becoming my catchphrase -
. Change the Future, Get Involved.
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I remember being in a college classroom and this is the lyric that the professor shared with us - “We are peaceful gentle people. Fighting fighting for our lives …”. In many ways this lyric applies to all of us. The lyric was from a nuclear protest song. But, if we expect anything to change, then one must take a stand and fight for it.
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I am thankful to live in a great nation, where I can post my blog and know my voice will not be silenced. (I like to spice up my writing we a few quotes.) GC
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"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it.
I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against.
I'm a human being first and foremost,

and as such I am for whomever and whatever

benefits humanity as a whole."
Malcolm X

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"If you want peace, work for justice."
Pope Paul VI

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Now, a bit of history for a little perspective, read about “… a viral infectious disease, that killed some 25 million to 40 million people (possibly significantly more) world-wide. . . .”
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PS only 9 million people died in WWI. Click on the link below for the whole article.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Flu

Under Construction - Check back later

There some bugs to work out. But, check back. We can change the future. Just get involved.

America Get Involved

In the future, I'll be using italics to indicate quotes or excerpts from other sources. Also, quotation marks will be shown. I'll try to keep it informative, relevant, and fun. I welcome suggestions for future topics and will take any advice needed to improve this blog. Thanks.

PS I'll be signing my work GC or the editor.

The First Genocide of the 20th Century - Armenia

"The term Armenian Genocide (also known as the Armenian Holocaust or Armenian Massacre) refers to the deportation and murder of Armenians by the Young Turks government in 1915-1916.
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The Armenian Genocide is denied by Turkey, although the massacre of large numbers is widely, freely admitted and publically regretted."
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(Go to the link below for the balance of the article.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Genocide
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For more on World War One - I recommend any juvenile book on World War One, just go to the children's section and see what's available. Any current adult book on World War One should have a paragraph, page or section on the Armenians. This is what I'm reading now:

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The Great WarAnd the Shaping of the 20th Century,
by Jay Winters and Blaine Baggett,
Penguin Books, NY, NY, etc.,1996,

ISBN 0-670-87119-2

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It was also a PBS TV series and videos can be checked out at most public libraries nowadays. I wouldn't let small children watch it but older children could be interested. Don't let the size of the book deter you, its quick reading and informative and there's also lots of pictures.

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Love, the editor ;-)

Never Forget - Remember. Change the Future

"Who today remembers the Armenians?” Hitler, 1942

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The Armenian Genocide of WWI is an example of why we need to remember. You can’t rewrite history. But, we can change the future.

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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Edmund Burke (1729 1797)

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Seek the truth and don’t follow blindly. Know why you believe in what you believe. Think for yourself and question those who claim to know what is best for you. Vote, don’t blame the government. Protest don’t accept injustice. The legacy of World War I is not the celebration of Veteran’s Day. Wars will probably never end. But, war should not be waged lightly. And our government is accountable for what it does. History is being written now. We are writing history with what we do and what we don’t do. Men like Arafat and Begin fought for what they believed.
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"Strange times are these in which we live when old and young are taught in falsehood's school, and the one man that dares to tell the truth is called at once a lunatic and fool."

Plato

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The truth is we are all Brothers. And sometimes Nations wage War for the wrong reasons. Hopefully next year will have us out of Iraq. GC

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Change the Future get involved

Prime Minister Menachem Begin: Terrorist?

"On July 22, 1946, members of the Jewish underground military organization Irgun Tsvai-Leumi in the British Mandate of Palestine planted and exploded a bomb at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. The hotel was the base for the British Secretariat, the military command and a branch of the Criminal Investigation Division (police). 91 people were killed, most of them civilians: 28 British, 41 Arab, 17 Jewish, and 5 other. Around 45 people were injured.
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The attack was initially ordered by David Ben Gurion, who was in the United States, but he later changed his mind and ordered the bombing to be cancelled. But Menachem Begin, the head of Irgun, went ahead anyway. Both Ben Gurion and Begin would later become Israeli Prime Ministers. The attack was commanded by Yosef Avni and Yisrael Levi."

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(Click on the link below to read the balance of the article.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_David_Hotel_bombing
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Some people believe the attack of the King David Hotel was a terrorist act. GC

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"One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter."

Arafat Dead at 75

One man’s terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.

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This certainly could describe Yasser Arafat. The world is full of heroes or villains, depending from what point of view you have, Arafat will be either a hero or villain.
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What ever your point of view is, let’s pray for peace in the Middle East and the passing of a World leader.

THE CASE OF THE ELUSIVE ANGEL OF MONS

by Alan S. Coulson, MD, PhD. and Michael E. Hanlon, Website Editor

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"One of the abiding legends of the Great War is of an intercession by a heavenly agent -- allegedly observed by many soldiers -- during the opening action at Mons, Belgium, part of the larger action known as the Battle of the Frontiers in August 1914. In his book ANGELS A TO Z Matthew Bunson recounts, 'One of the most famous episodes of angelic intervention, [was] the supposedly widely reported descent of an angelic army in August 1914, which came to the aid of the British forces against the Germans in Mons. . . The angelic host's assistance could not have come at a more propitious moment as the British were being driven back by the relentless German advance."
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Bunson also relates one version supposedly corroborated by German prisoners describing a force of phantoms armed with bows and arrows and led by a towering figure on a shining white horse who spurred on English forces during an assault on German trenches. Another story spoke of three angelic beings seen by the British, hovering in the air over German lines, providing a source of deep inspiration for them. Aside from these beings, Bunson states that soldiers later claimed to have seen St. Michael the Archangel, the Virgin Mary, even Joan of Arc. [D See reference list at end of article.] "

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go to the following website for the complete article

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http://www.worldwar1.com/heritage/angel.htm

Why November 11th? - The War to End All Wars

On the 11th of November at 11 am of the year 1918, the guns fell silent and World War I ended. This was the "War to End All Wars" and to make it easily remembered the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour was chosen. Almost 90 years later, not much has changed. Muslims vs. Christians. In WWI, it was the Muslim Ottoman Empire vs. the Christian Armenians. Ethnic people are still fighting for their own homelands. In 1914, it was the "Black Hand" a Bosnian separatist movement wanting a Free Bosnia and Bosnian homeland. Today, it's the PLO fighting for a Palestinian homeland. And Wars still continue.
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Above is an excerpt from an article, the Angel of Mons was an angelic figure that stood between the retreating British Army and the advancing German Army at the Battle of Mons in Belgium.
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Let's continue to pray for peace. And hope God and Angels protect our troops fighting over seas. Love and Peace. GC