Bob Morris @ Jul 2nd 2003 10:39 - Category: Unfiled ;
The PoliZeros Presidential Poll
Get your votes in our Presidential poll (right hand column towards the top). As I write this, Democrats are delivering a massive butt-kicking, with a whopping 29 votes out of a total of 38!
Bob Morris @ Jul 2nd 2003 00:20 - Category: Unfiled ;
Tell it like it is!
“At a $2,000 a plate fundraising dinner for president Bush the other night, Republicans dined on nachos and hot dogs. And at the event, president Bush said the economy is turning the corner. Well, of course he thinks the economy is turning the corner. He’s surrounded by people who can afford to pay $2,000 a plate for nachos and hot dogs.” - Jay Leno
Plus they’re were all on their way back home by 8:30 pm. Those Republicans sure know how to party!
Bob Morris @ Jul 2nd 2003 00:19 - Category: Unfiled ;
How insane is the California Three Strikes law?
In California, if you have two prior felony convictions, a third felony can land you in prison for multiple decades, even life with no parole. This includes non-violent felonies. Plus crimes can be charged as felonies that most of us wouldn’t even consider to be felonies. Even worse, judges have no discretion. They are legally obligated to give such sentences, and some have complained bitterly about this.
FACTS (Families to Amend California Three Strikes) is working to change this and hopes to have a proposition on the ballot in 2004 making 3-Strikes for violent felonies only.
So, how insane is 3-Strikes? This insane. FACTS has documented 150 cases of people sentenced to decades in prison for such nefarious deeds as stealing a spare tire or possession of a stolen bicycle.
Two examples from the FACTS website: (Be aware that under 3-Strikes, you must serve at least the full minimum sentence. Also, inmates listed on the FACTS website have given their permission to be listed)
Gabriel Pineida
Crime: Stealing a portable vacuum from a patio
Sentence: 35 years to life
First burglary: walked in garage with garge door open, chased out and nothing stolen. Second burglary was DUI, broke a window, but never entered or stole anything. Third burglary was for stealing a portable vacuum from a patio. No violent record, no gun charges.
Thomas Williams
Crime: Possession of a stolen bicycle
Sentence: 25 years to life.
Current conviction was for buying a stolen bicycle. Claims inadequate counsel for trial. News article describes problems Attorney had with drugs and other cases. Supreme Court later suspended the attorney from practice for a year.
Quotes: “I am in Soledad State Prison serving a 25 years to life for receiving stolen property: buying a stolen bicycle under the Three-Strikes-Law. My prior serous felony convictions were non-violent burglary offenses from the early 1980’s. I have no violence in my background. The most recent offenses were less serious property theft offenses.”
They are doing many many years for relatively minor, non-violent crimes.
Did I mention most of those doing three strikes time are Black/Latino and poor? Or had you already guessed that?
This grotesquely vindictive law needs to be amended. FACTS, a true grassroots organization, is raising money to fund their proposition drive. Help out if you can.
Bob Morris @ Jul 2nd 2003 00:08 - Category: Unfiled ;
Truly, moral giants reside in the White House
“The Bush administration yesterday suspended all U.S. military assistance to 35 countries because they refused to pledge to give U.S. citizens immunity before the International Criminal Court.
And of course, being the sleazy hypocrites that they are, the Bushies will continue to give money to other countries that also refuse to grant immunity to US war criminals.
Bob Morris @ Jul 2nd 2003 00:06 - Category: Unfiled ;
Dean not progressive on Mideast
“In a major foreign policy speech earlier this year, Dean, while calling for an end to Palestinian violence, did not call for an end to Israeli violence, let alone an end to the illegal Israeli occupation.
And when asked whether his views are closer to the dovish Americans for Peace Now (APN) or the right-wing, Sharon-supporting American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), he stated unequivocally in an interview with the Jewish weekly The Forward, “My view is closer to AIPAC’s view.”
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