21st Oct 2008
Having just returned from our convention in Dothan, I want you to know that abolitionists have a true friend in the NAACP Alabama State Conference and its President, Edward Vaughn.
I also want you to know that when it comes to action, enthusiasm, motivating its members,(and I am proud to be one of them), the NAACP knows what it is doing. “Fired up, ready to go!”
What is its secret, I wondered driving back to Lanett? Is it the obvious dedication of its leadership, which translates into action and a being always ready to help when it comes to issues of justice and real needs in the community? Is it that the leadership does not separate itself from its members and is always ready to listen, to help with a hands on approach?
Is it the inclusive vision of its leadership, which was demonstrated by having student dancers from Nepal to local talent performers at the conference and a daily reaching out to the forgotten in our community?
Most probably it is all of the above, which makes me so proud and humbled at the same time to sign myself as,
Esther Brown
Chair of the Death Penalty/Moratorium Committee of the NAACP Alabama State Conference.
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12th Oct 2008
Friends,
Although we have not written on the blog for a while, that does not mean that we have been idle.
For some interesting articles written by the men on death row at Holman, please go to the Wings of Hope section and read our most recent and also previous newsletters. While you do, keep in mind where these articles were written and under what circumstances. It remains a wonder to me how these men, most of them high school drop outs, can consistently turn out such thoughtful and thought provoking articles.
Any feedback will be passed on to the authors.
beesther@earthlink.net
Esther
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25th Jun 2008
Friends,
Yesterday I had the distinct honor of a one on one meeting with United Nations Envoy, Philip Alston, special rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions and his team of three. During Mr. Alston’s brief visit to Montgomery he and his team met with State officials and others as part of a fact finding mission on different aspects of the death penalty. The findings will be part of a special report to be presented to the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
During our meeting a wide range of topics was covered and included aspects of the death penalty in Alabama, legislation, grass roots organizing, church groups, racism, economics, phadp’s mission as well as state and national politics. In searching how best to describe the meeting, I would say that we spoke the same realistic language.
Mr. Alston and his team have now moved on to Texas and in closing I would like to quote a very knowledgeable friend who said to me yesterday: Whatever the outcome, it was good for Alabama.
Esther
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18th Jun 2008
While we are making some progress on Death Penalty issues, we must remain focused and not sell the indigent short. Chief Justice Cobb mades a good speech, but let us not forget political posturing tends to be the true motive for some.
Immidiately, I noticed the wording, hence…”ensure that criminals in capital cases”…stating a pre-concept of guilt. The subtle undertone was not missed. And it was throughout the article. Not once, is there a reference of ensure that ”defendents” in Capital cases.
What ensures equal protection is written law, for the indigent as well as the wealthy. Another committee of paid cronies will not ensure equal protection, just the appearance. In fact, it gives less cause for the indigent to challenge the courts. Maybe that is what they are after? One must keep forethought of the reality and possibility, or lack thereof, this “committee” would represent.
Unless, and until, Alabama takes corrective measures to: ensure caseload limits, competent training in death penalty laws, and the same resources afforded the State, equal protection is nothing more than a facade and nothing more than political posturing.
I just wanted to state that point, as we must keep our guard in place at all times, most certainly in times of heated political posturing.
Sincerely,
O’Della
Mobile, AL
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17th Jun 2008
Hello Esther; it’s been a while. I haven’t reached out and thanked you for all you did for me. I finally had a chance to read the little book Creepin’ Death you gave me. I was thinking about Jeff wondering how he is holding up. I am going to write him a note today, I just don’t have a return address but anyway have to write him.
I am leaving God awful Texas tomorrow. I am making my way to N.C. Gonna visit my mom and some folks I met along the walk. Anyway I hope everything is good with you dear. I think of you and Judy often. Bless you both,
Your friend and comrade “X”
P.S. I miss that coffee too:), much love dear.
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12th Jun 2008
Placing Oneself Above God
When I hear people say something crazy and foolish, particularly in politics, I wonder if they took a moment before they opened their mouth. Take for example, a statement Attorney General Troy King made about Daniel Siebert who resided on Alabama’s Death Row until his death from pancreatic cancer. His statement left me with a few nagging questions. One being, when does an act of God become a miscarriage of justice?
I’m sure there will be some who say that Siebert’s cancer was a way of God punishing him for his prior bad acts. But what about that man or woman who died from cancer who expressed God’s true love through their daily living? What about the children? Why are they punished? As believers, we believe that God is full of compassion, merciful, forgiving, unwavering and righteous. As a believer in Christ, one believes that God gave His one and only begotten Son to be the price for all our sins and iniquities so that we may not perish but have life– life abundantly. So I ask, was it unjust of God to end Siebert’s suffering here on earth? Was it a miscarriage of God’s love to spare him from man’s vengeance and injustice? Does King know better than God?
I found King’s statement to be bold, political and offensive. King says that he stands by his faith (Christianity), but I’m wondering if he’s gotten too big for his breeches and has placed himself above God? Is that the type of person Alabama wants as Attorney General? Does his statement speak for all of us? Have we too placed ourselves above God and his infinite love?
King’s statement also brought another question to mind, is capital punishment truly about justice? If we read between the lines or looked at the statement behind the statement, we would discover that the death penalty is clearly about vengeance and taking pleasure in it. Why else make a statement like that? Why else be upset about Siebert escaping lethal injection? Daniel Siebert is dead. He’s not coming back. If it were about justice (an eye for an eye) we would rape the rapist to show that raping is wrong. We would burglarize the homes of burglars. But since that does not occur then capital punishment has to be about vengeance and taking sick pleasure in it.
Omar D.
Omar D. is a member of Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty
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24th Apr 2008
To all of you who are fighting for the abolishment of the death penalty, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your fight. Many years ago my son Damian’s father, Daniel Siebert involved himself with your organization and through his work with you his spirit grew. Through his growth in spirit he learned to fight with words to get the message out there that the death penalty is wrong. He realized that death for vengeance sake would not solve anything. Danny believed that you have to begin by fiinding out what is wrong with those who harm others. Begin there and maybe there is a chance for a better life.
Thank you Project Hope! I have faithfully received your emails over the years and from this Danny and I had many things to discuss and think about. Continue to fight for the abolishment of the death penalty because death by vengeance will change nothing.
To those family members who Danny has hurt, he is gone now and maybe you can have peace within yourself.
Vicky
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23rd Apr 2008
On behalf of the Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty family it is my task to announce that Daniel Siebert died today, 4.22.08 of pancreatic cancer. Any death gives one pause and one feels sadness, but in Danny’s case I know he would not want us to be sad but to rather celebrate that he beat the executioner. That was his wish, a wish he expressed to many, also to Darrell Grayson right after the cancer diagnosis.
Some years ago Danny was part of Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty and kept things lively with his many original ideas. Danny was also a gifted artist and a friend to many at Holman. We extend our condolences to his family at Holman and to his attorney.
We hope that those who need to forgive Danny, will find it in their hearts to do so now for their own sakes. To quote Sr. Helen, we are all more than the worst thing we have ever done. And Danny too was much more than that!
Rest in Peace, Danny!
Esther for all of phadp
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21st Apr 2008
Dear good sister, Esther,
It is a very sad day for our nation again. When will we ever get over the belief that we have the right to kill people?? I am writing a book on forgiveness at the request of the editor who asked me to write my anti-death penalty book. Sadly, our Supreme Court, with several Catholic judges, stopped listening to Jesus who have gave us the command to forgive. Punishment can be dished out in high enough doses. But killing–never!! Love, Toni
Antoinetter Bosco is an award-winning journalist, colunmist and author. Her book, Choosing Mercy was created from her pain of her children’s murder, a powerful and moving plea to abolish the death penalty. We of phadp are very grateful to Toni for her loving support.
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17th Apr 2008
Love is or it isn’t. Just take a minute and look around. Now, tell me what’s wrong with this picture. You notice compassion has been totally diminished. At one time, everyone would take total responsibility when it came to discipline. When I was a youth, if you weren’t corrected then it meant no one cared. I think society has gotten away from the occasional spanking out of fear that our children would resent us. That’s why things are so chaotic in the schools and playgrounds, because the parents allowed correction to disappear. Where did the love go?
What happened to the magic of romance? Why don’t couples show signs of love and affection? Where’s Mr. Chivalry? Where are the ones who still believe in holding hands, opening doors and walking side by side? It has been substituted by verbal and physical abuse, shame, and constant disrespect.
Children no longer have the mannerisms, the “Yes sir, yes ma’am” mentality. Today, all you hear is “Yeah”, “Huh”, and “I don’t know”. Home use to be a safe haven, now negative influences have tainted this sacred place. Remember when parents would put ointment and a bandage on bumps and bruises? Now, it’s “Get up and show some toughness!” What does a five year old child know about being tough? Where did the love go?
What ever happened to the good traits adopted from the parents? Perhaps we shall all be teachers of things once honored. Such as Mother’s Love, a companion’s presence, acknowledgment of God. We are each others business and bonds, not to retaliate when things are done out of the depths of the pain that we have inherited in this world. So many people are gifted but they keep things hidden, thinking it is some kind of plague to show sensitivity and heartfelt affection. There really isn’t an excuse and you can’t blame the children, teachers, or parents for this form of failure. It’s from lack of foundation and knowledge that has caused us to flunk this course called “Life”.
It’s so simple because when you educate a man, you educate an individual but when you educate a woman, you educate a nation. There will come a time when you may encounter defeats but you must not be defeated. It’s easy to say you love someone when they have money. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t the Bible say the love of money is the root of all evil? People can see love everyday but I doubt they recognize it. There are people (men and women) who come together everyday and attempt to form bonds in which they can build love and full commitment. Bringing men and women closer together is a critical issue for our society. Our future depends on it.
Its sad that everyone wants to fingerpoint instead of stepping up, taking charge of their lives, and pushing past those harmful habits of self-pity and self-debasement. All women should support one another in a way that accents the beauty and value of the female spirit. Sad to say the majority of men don’t appreciate a good woman because they are blinded by their own self-interest, faithlessness, and immaturity to actually show true love. And I’m sure many women have experienced these types, it certainly would be unfair to say that these men represent the true form of manhood. So much cheating, lying, and deceiving going on while everyone’s promising to love one another forever.
In closing, let me say that if you give out love, love always comes back to the original source.
Wishing you a peaceful journey,
Ulysses Sneed
Z-590 I1-7A
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