"In Humble Sacrifice" :)

Posted on by drumsintheglobalvillage

 

Glad “Today’s Word” is back.

(And Dear Lord, I miss “Calvin and Hobbes.”)

TODAY’S WORD ON JOURNALISM — Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007

“In the world of television, the massive flows of information are largely in only one direction, which makes it virtually impossible to take part in what passes for a national conversation. Individuals receive, but they cannot send. They hear, but they cannot speak. The ‘well-informed citizenry’ is in danger of becoming the ‘well-amused audience.'”
  –Al Gore, author, The Assault on Reason, 2007

~ ~ ~ ~
Ted Pease, Professor of Interesting Stuff
Department of Journalism & Communication
Utah State University

TODAY’S WORD ON JOURNALISM ©2007 is a ree “service” sent to its 1,500 or so misguided volunteer subscribers around the planet. If you have recovered and don’t want the WORD anymore, send “unsubscribe.” Or if you want to afflict someone else, send me the email address and watch the fun begin. (Disclaimer: I just quote ’em; I don’t necessarily endorse ’em. In theory, though, all contain at least a kernel of insight.) Responses, contributions and rebuttals welcome.

“Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.” –Tom Stoppard, playwright

Mumia And His Lawyer Are Still Waiting

Posted on by drumsintheglobalvillage

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Just got this today from Robert R. Bryan, Mumia Abu-Jamal’s lawyer.

Dear Friends:
 
We continue to await a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Philadelphia, concerning my client, Mumia Abu-Jamal.  This complex case was orally argued before a three-judge panel on May 17, 2007, following extensive litigation which included voluminous briefing and motions.  In my experience of successfully defending a large number of murder cases involving the death penalty, it was a great day.
 
It is impossible to know what the federal court ruling will be.  If the judges follow the law and fairly apply the U.S. Constitution, we will win.  As to when, long ago I projected a decision would be forthcoming this fall; it could come any day.  One thing is certain: whomever loses will seek a rehearing and petition the U.S. Supreme Court.
 
I have previously described the different rulings that the federal court could make.  Nevertheless some people have recently sent out e-mail containing false information.  Contrary to their claim, the federal court cannot impose a sentence of life in prison without parole.  Only a jury verdict could result in such an outcome, unless in the event of a penalty reversal the prosecution elected not to seek the death penalty.  Likewise the court unfortunately cannot order that Mumia be released, for that would require a new guilt-phase jury trial and a favorable verdict which is certainly our goal.  To once more clarify the legal situation, the scenarios of how the U.S. Court of Appeals might rule include:

  • Grant an entirely new jury trial of the guilt phase;
  • Order a new jury trial limited to the issue of life or death;
  • Remand the case back to the U.S. District Court for further proceedings; or
  • Deny all relief.

Racism, fraud, and politics are threads that have run through this case since Mumia’s 1981 arrest. The issues in this matter concern the right to a fair trial, the struggle against the death penalty, and the political repression of an outspoken journalist.
 
Mumia’s objective is a reversal of the murder conviction and death sentence, and the granting of an entirely new trial.  At the end of that jury trial I expect to win and see my client freed so that he can finally go home to his family.
 
Thank you for your interest in this campaign for human rights.
 
Yours very truly,
 
Robert R. Bryan
Law Offices of Robert R. Bryan
2088 Union Street, Suite 4
San Francisco, California 94123-4117 Lead counsel for Mumia Abu-Jamal

P.S. Liked these comments Mumia made on writing.