From: Mark Clement <MClement@bruderhof.com>
A 'COMPASSIONATE,' POLITICAL KILLING
[col. writ. 8/5/99] *1999 Mumia Abu-Jamal
"The people long eagerly for 2 things - bread and circuses." - Juvenal
(Roman poet; 60-140 A.D.)
In the upcoming U.S. Presidential campaign, the candidacy of George
W. Bush is being touted as an exemplar of what the store-bought media calls
"compassionate conservatism." Hearing the phrase brings to mind the
exchange heard on the House floor during the recent impeachment debate:
"When a politician claims it ain't about the money, it's about the money!"
Similarly, when a politician claims he's a "compassionate conservative," it
doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that there ain't no such
animal.
As Governor of Texas, Bush had ample opportunity to show his
"compassion" to the born-again rehabilitated Karla Faye Tucker. Instead, he
dispatched her to the gallows. Texas leads the nation in the number and
pace of executions.
An upcoming execution case in the Lone Star state is a real test of
compassion.
Larry Robison is a young man who spent years in institutions due to
documented mental illnesses, such as manic depression and schizophrenia. On
his 18th birthday he was automatically released from the mental institution,
despite the pleas of his parents. Institutional administrators explained
that they had no choice in the matter, as Larry had no history of violence.
He was released. His mental illness worsened.
He killed 5 people. He's on Death Row.
When he was released from the mental institution, his parents were
told if any incidents of violence occurred, he would be returned to the
institution for further treatment.
He did involve himself in acts of violence, but he was sent to
prison instead; to Death Row. His demonstrable mental illnesses meant next
to nothing to his jury; perhaps even less to politicians who use
state-sanctioned killings to further their political careers.
What will the short, tortured, manic life of Larry Robison mean to
the politician who boasts of his "compassion"? The man who wishes to be
President plans to sacrifice Robison on the altar of political ambition, by
killing him on Aug. 17, 1999. If you oppose this, make your voices heard.
*1999 MAJ
======================================>
From: "Greg Butterfield" <gregb@wwpublish.com>
Organization: WW Publishers
From: "Monica Moorehead" <monica@wwpublish.com>
AUGUST 16, 1999
STATEMENT FROM MUMIA ABU-JAMAL FOR THE AUGUST 29TH MASS RALLY IN
SUPPORT OF THE PUERTO RICAN POLITICAL PRISONERS
"LIBERTAD PARA LOS PRESOS POLITICOS DE PUERTO-RIQUENO! Y LIBERTAD
PARA TODO LOS PRESOS POLITICOS!
On the Move! As in the case of the imprisoned captives of the African
National Congress at the height of the anti-apartheid movement, so too
in the case of the Puerto Rican independence fighters who are
captives, the call of the oppressive state is for a vow of
"non-violence." Forced to consider freedom because of growing freedom
movement both at home and abroad, the state, which claims the right to
possess a monopoly on violence, now holds out the `reward' of
freedom, only if the oppressed will vow `non-violence'.
The call must, as it was in the case of Lolita Lebron, Rafael Cancel
Miranda, Oscar Collazo and Irving Flores: UNCONDITIONAL FREEDOM!
Freedom means freedom or it means nothing at all! The late, great
Black nationalist, Malcolm X taught us that ain't no such thing as
half-freedom. Half-freedom, he explained, was as silly as half
pregnant! The same for mis hermanos y hermanas de PuertoRiqueno!
Full-freedom! For us all! On a Move! "
Mumia Abu-Jamal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stop the execution! New trial for Mumia!
Youth & Students for Mumia
npcny@peoplescampaign.org
www.peoplescampaign.org