Troy Davis

Although I am somewhat of a supporter of the death penalty, I do believe that it is crucial that alleged criminals get fair trails. So often in this county we have failed to protect the rights of many of our citizens and they have either been railroaded by the law or not given a fair chance by the courts. I know that there are many cases that come to light when the day of execution draws near. Often it is just one last attempt for the convicted to save there own skin. Who can blame them? What most recently comes to mind is Stanley Tookie Williams III.

Tookie was put to death by the State of California in 2005. As too be expected, there was a general movement by anti death penalty groups to save his life just before his execution. Although Tookie appeared to have changed his ways and became an anti gang proponent, it is still pretty straight forward that he committed the murders that he was convicted of. Not only was there a witness, but there was physical evidence to boot.

In the case of Troy Davis it is not so straight forward. There is a lot of speculation as to the integrity of the evidence. Not so much as to getting hung up on technicalities, but more so to inconsistent testimony from witnesses, no physical evidence, no attempt to find a "missing witness" and even witness tampering. There is a diverse group of activists showing support for Davis. Activists include your standard anti death penalty proponents, but also conservatives like Bob Barr. I think in this situation it is not only whether or not the death penalty is just, but is this case just?

The truth of the matter is that if we as nation allow our states to implement the death penalty, we need to make sure that we are Not Executing Innocent People. It has happened before and it cannot happen anymore. I am not saying that Davis should be off the hook if he indeed committed the crime. Surely, shooting another man in the face in cold blood warrants capital punishment in my book. Let's just be sure that we've got the right man before another life is unnecessarily lost. Let's give this man an appeal and if we cant, let's at least keep him alive. Just my thoughts. If you wish to help the cause, click here.

Up date:

Stay of execution issued for Georgia prisoner

Posted: 12:27 PM ET

(CNN) — The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay of execution Friday for a Georgia death row inmate who had been scheduled to die on Monday, his attorney said.

Troy Davis was convicted in 1991 for the murder of a Savannah police officer three years earlier. He has always maintained his innocence in the killing of Officer Mark MacPhail, and since his conviction, seven of the nine witnesses against him have recanted their testimony.

The Court of Appeals granted a 25-day stay so Davis’ attorneys can file a new habeas corpus brief with a lower court, Davis’ attorney, Jay Ewart, told CNN.

Ewart said Davis’ attorneys will argue that his execution would be a violation of the 8th Amendment. The amendment reads, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”

O.J. Simpson

13 years ago to the day from when the" Juice" was acquitted of the charges of slaying his x-wife and her "friend", he gets lambasted with a volley of guilty verdicts. Now it seems that in the years that have passed since his acquittal, public opinion has made a volte-face on the subject and now believes(as I have all along) that he is indeed guilty. Today, some assert that public opinion played a part to the current verdict. However public opinion should have no affect on his sentencing. Or will it?With this new ruling, O.J. Faces 5 years to life. Does he get the life sentence that many believe he should? Is this the judge's opportunity to avenge the victims of Simpson's previous "alleged" crimes? Regardless, in watching the video and seeing the vapid look on O.J.'s face, it is as if though he had been waiting along time for perhaps what he saw as inevitable. Anyway you look at it, it's a damn shame. All of it.

But man he was so cool!

Jive talkin'.

The "Riff Blog" lashes out at "Wiggers"


It's better. But just what is it with white folks and black slang? And how do y'all know when it's appropriate?

Why the sweeping generalizations about white people? Not all white people try to emulate black culture in speech or in other aspects. But for those that do, why cant they? Should I point out to the young black man in punk leathers and bleach blond hair that hes is taking from what belongs to white people's culture and that perhaps he should not use it. Or when I see black people at a NASCAR event, should I point out that this is traditionally "white people culture".



Also, I am a firm believer that language forms its self by incorporating words from a myriad of cultural influences. Black people don't talk the way their ancestors did nor do white folks. But really, aren't all the different words and uses of words really just colloquialisms? And, would it be inappropriate for an African American to have a chin wag. I mean really; when it comes down to it, we here in America share the same culture. I am not asserting that regional and ethnic differences do not exist. I am just saying that people can talk how they want and and if one choses to emulate people who sound like they are illiterate, so be it. Stupid is, stupid does!

Shaq Attack

Shaq a deputy sheriff?No way! But it is true. Well until he started vomiting his horrible raps again. I guess it wasn't that he was raping, but what he was saying that got him the boot. I just can't believe that such a dip dong was trusted with a badge. What's he going to investigate? Himself?. If you ever heard Shaq rap, you know it's a crime.

“I was freestyling. That’s all. It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever,” O’Neal told ESPN.com Monday. A call to the Suns on Tuesday seeking comment from O’Neal was referred to his public relations firm, which didn’t immediately respond.


I guess the anti white boy comment got the sheriff's panties all bunched up, thus compelling him to demand Shaq's shield. Gee that sounds weird. But it's good to know that he's off the streets and that he and Kobe are still getting along.

PS
I think Shaq has got a man crush on B.I.G.