71 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 32 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
General News    H3'ed 10/4/11

Reform Teams Should Fight for the Dream, But Do It Better

By       (Page 1 of 3 pages)   2 comments
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Andrew Kreig
Become a Fan
  (41 fans)

Supreme Court
Supreme Court
(Image by Supreme Court)
  Details   DMCA

As the Supreme Court begins its annual term on Oct. 3, I'd like to share suggestions below on how legal reformers -- our team, in other words -- can be much more effective in achieving results. That's the dream. But reformers face huge challenges that require new approaches to fight due process violations and other wrongdoing that appears to extend high into the legal system.

These coalesce in the person of Clarence Thomas -- associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and someone whom the FBI should vigorously investigate.

Like many, I thought about due process issues a lot after Georgia executed Troy Davis on Sept. 21 despite powerful evidence casting doubt on the witness identifications in the fatal shooting of an off-duty policeman in a parking lot. I published a column, "Troy Davis, Clarence Thomas and Georgia on Our Minds." Then organizers of an Oct. 1 street rally in Washington, DC asked me to suggest practical next steps following hundreds of thousands of petition signatures protesting the execution.

The day after my talk at the rally I attended the annual Red Mass ceremonies in Washington celebrating the law's spiritual dimensions. Led by Archbishop Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Catholic church leaders hosted six of the nine Supreme Court Justices -- including Thomas and a probably a  majority of those who allowed Georgia to execute Davis. Other guests included White House Chief of Staff William Daley, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

At first impression, Saturday's street rally had little in common with the magnificent service Sunday about 15 blocks away at the upscale Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. The 50 or so at the street rally were primarily black, modestly dressed, and strongly left-wing in politics.

About half wore an "I am Troy Davis" sticker or similar tee-shirt to show solidarity with the condemned man. Via a taped jailhouse WPFW interview before his death, they heard Davis speak humbly about his wasted life, innocence and hopes for young people to learn from his mistake of hanging with the wrong crowd because it seemed "cool."

The audience at the Catholic service, by contrast, appeared to be about 1,000 in size and at least 95% white. The absence of all three female Supreme Court justices, each of whom is a Democrat, underscored a political dimension.

More generally, the ceremony began with a magisterial procession of clergy and government officials. Incense and beautiful music soon filled the huge cathedral, which was built in 1899 and is famous for, among other things, the 1963 funeral of President Kennedy.

But here's why common ground is both possible and points the way to reform. Let's start with my suggestions to the Troy Davis supporters:

1.    Keep reaching out with one-on-one conversations, petitions, demonstrations and pressure for legislation.
2.    Confront rights violations and corruption wherever trail leads -- even to the top or within our own "Team"
3.    Expand "The Team" by gaining new allies.
4.    Become the media, don't wait for it.
5.    Keep fighting for what's right.

The ideas may seem obvious, but several twists are described below

Reach Out

To begin, I told those at the rally how my involvement with the Troy Davis and other death penalty protests began with word-of-mouth encouragement from friends, as described in my column last week. Private communications from trusted sources are an obvious way to prepare for rallies, petitions and protests -- including such current ones as "Occupy Wall Street" occurring now in New York, a similar protest planned to begin Oct. 6 in Washington and others described here on OpEd News that are popping up nationally.

Defend Due Process and Fight Corruption

Much harder is my second suggestion to probe even when suspicions involve high-ranking officials -- and even those within our own political party or "team" suspected of serious shortcomings or fraud.

Last week, 20 congressional Democrats demanded a Justice Department investigation of Thomas, a Republican. Republicans should also support such a probe to clear the air on such claims. I published here last week an overview of the financial elements of the story. But vastly more information is available that deserves official review.

Many civic reform groups are taking a pass on the allegations against Thomas and officials like him because of tactical, financial or partisan reasons. They wait for someone else to suggest corruption, not simply error, by officials who are high up on the power structure -- even when many commoners are imprisoned around the country for roughly similar conduct.

I've heard the excuses, but don't buy them. The public is fed up with Washington corruption, cover-up and partisanship. The slogan "Lead, follow or get out of the way" has never been more timely.

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Rate It | View Ratings

Andrew Kreig Social Media Pages: Facebook Page       Twitter Page       Linked In Page       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Andrew Kreig is an investigative reporter, attorney, author, business strategist, radio host, and longtime non-profit executive based in Washington, DC. His most recent book is "Presidential Puppetry: Obama, Romney and Their Masters," the (more...)
 

Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Obama Team Feared Coup If He Prosecuted War Crimes

Lawyers To Petition DoJ Demanding 9/11 Grand Jury Investigation of WTCs 1, 2 and 7

Cain's 'high-tech lynching' defense problem...Clarence Thomas lied

June Trial Looms As Obama DOJ Crusades Against Critics

Thomas Must Resign, Says Former Judge, Lover

RFK Murder Cover-Up Continues After Dramatic Parole Hearing

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend