Human Rights
[Editor's Note: Da'rryl Durr was executed this year at the maximum security facility in Lucasville, Ohio. During the two decades he spent on death row, Durr maintained that he was innocent of the murder which put him there. His conviction was tainted by a lack of physical evidence and the appearance of racial bias. To the end, he claimed further DNA testing would absolve him of guilt. His requests were denied.
Wil Groesz-Held, a friend of Durr's, wrote The Free Press from the Netherlands on Durr's behalf. Groesz-Held is not a native speaker of English, but his plain words effectively cut past the conflicting details and angry rhetoric, which confuse the case. Groesz-Held's frank emotions for his friend are reminders that the incarcerated and condemned are fellow humans and thus deserve every possible avenue of defense. His simple statements are reminders that execution is just taking another life. The Free Press reproduces the letter here in accordance with Durr's final wishes. - Evan Moore, Assistant Editor]
Wil Groesz-Held, a friend of Durr's, wrote The Free Press from the Netherlands on Durr's behalf. Groesz-Held is not a native speaker of English, but his plain words effectively cut past the conflicting details and angry rhetoric, which confuse the case. Groesz-Held's frank emotions for his friend are reminders that the incarcerated and condemned are fellow humans and thus deserve every possible avenue of defense. His simple statements are reminders that execution is just taking another life. The Free Press reproduces the letter here in accordance with Durr's final wishes. - Evan Moore, Assistant Editor]
BANGKOK, Thailand -- To prevent protesters unleashing another urban insurrection, new CCTV cameras will eyeball streets where 90 people died, most of them civilians, and 1,400 were injured when the military battled Red Shirts and crushed their bamboo barricades in May.
Thailand's army-backed government now wields surveillance, imprisonment, censorship and other "state of emergency" powers across much of this Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian nation.
The Red Shirts admit they have been strangled, and are struggling to stay alive.
"Basically, we as an organization, we do not exist," said Sean Boonpracong, international spokesman for the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) -- commonly known as Red Shirts for their distinctive colored clothing.
"What we are trying to do is trying to survive. There are 820 warrants for arrest, for Red leaders nationwide. I think just slightly over one-third have been arrested," Mr. Boonpracong, 60, said in an interview.
The military also hauled him in, for six hours of interrogation at the army's headquarters in Bangkok, he said.
Thailand's army-backed government now wields surveillance, imprisonment, censorship and other "state of emergency" powers across much of this Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian nation.
The Red Shirts admit they have been strangled, and are struggling to stay alive.
"Basically, we as an organization, we do not exist," said Sean Boonpracong, international spokesman for the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) -- commonly known as Red Shirts for their distinctive colored clothing.
"What we are trying to do is trying to survive. There are 820 warrants for arrest, for Red leaders nationwide. I think just slightly over one-third have been arrested," Mr. Boonpracong, 60, said in an interview.
The military also hauled him in, for six hours of interrogation at the army's headquarters in Bangkok, he said.
Today in Albany, NY and Columbus, OH, human rights groups and activists filed formal complaints with state boards which regulate psychologists, against Major John Leso (NY) and ret. Col. Larry James, currently dean of the School of Psychology at Wright State University in Dayton. Two of the four complainants in the Ohio case are NWOPC members: Josie Setzler and Trudy Bond. I have the privilege of co-counseling with the International Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School; some of you met Deborah Popowski from Harvard when she was out here last January.
We seek to have Ohio's Board of Psychology open a full-scale investigation into Dr. James' involvement in torture oversight, management, planning, and calibration while at Gitmo on two different stints. We are demanding that Dr. James' psychologist license be revoked based upon what we believe are not only felony crimes but extremely serious perversions of the healing art of psychology.
I invite you to read both of the complaints. They are heavily researched and meticulously footnoted. The Pentagon has been up to a lot more than is generally understood by way of torture.
We seek to have Ohio's Board of Psychology open a full-scale investigation into Dr. James' involvement in torture oversight, management, planning, and calibration while at Gitmo on two different stints. We are demanding that Dr. James' psychologist license be revoked based upon what we believe are not only felony crimes but extremely serious perversions of the healing art of psychology.
I invite you to read both of the complaints. They are heavily researched and meticulously footnoted. The Pentagon has been up to a lot more than is generally understood by way of torture.
A complaint has been filed with the Texas State Board of Examiners against Dr. James Mitchell, who was (according to the complaint)the medical professional in charge of the torture of Abu Zubaydah. Please contact author for original document if needed, footnotes included but not properly formatted. (pmjohn5r@gmail.com)
TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF PSYCHOLOGISTS 333 Guadalupe · Suite 2-450, Austin, Texas 78701, Investigations: (512) 305-7709 Date: __June 16, 2010_________________________ A complaint has been filed with the Texas State Board of Examiners against Dr. James Mitchell, who was (according to the complaint)the medical professional in charge of the torture of Abu Zubaydah.
Conduct being reported: Ethical violations, Provision of services beyond expertise. (See attached), Violation of multiple standards. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF PSYCHOLOGISTS COMPLAINT: DR. JAMES ELMER MITCHELL (LICENSE NO. 23564)
BACKGROUND
I grew up by the Gaza sea. Through my childhood, I could never quite comprehend how such a giant a body of water, which promised such endless freedom, could also border on such a tiny and cramped stretch of land - a land that was perpetually held hostage, even as it remained perpetually defiant.
From a young age, I would embark with my family on the short journey from our refugee camp to the beach. We went on a haggard cart, laboriously pulled by an equally gaunt donkey. The moment our feet touched the warm sand, the deafening screams would commence. Little feet would run faster than Olympic champions and for a few hours all our cares would dissipate. Here there was no occupation, no prison, no refugee status. Everything smelled and tasted of salt and watermelon. My mother would sit atop a torn, checkered blanket to secure it from the wild winds. She would giggle at my father's frantic calls to his sons, trying to stop them from going too deep into the water.
I would duck my own head underwater, and hear the haunting humming of the sea. Then I'd retreat, stand back and stare at the horizon.
From a young age, I would embark with my family on the short journey from our refugee camp to the beach. We went on a haggard cart, laboriously pulled by an equally gaunt donkey. The moment our feet touched the warm sand, the deafening screams would commence. Little feet would run faster than Olympic champions and for a few hours all our cares would dissipate. Here there was no occupation, no prison, no refugee status. Everything smelled and tasted of salt and watermelon. My mother would sit atop a torn, checkered blanket to secure it from the wild winds. She would giggle at my father's frantic calls to his sons, trying to stop them from going too deep into the water.
I would duck my own head underwater, and hear the haunting humming of the sea. Then I'd retreat, stand back and stare at the horizon.
Yesterday, with amazement, many of us around the world witnessed through a
live-feed on the Internet how heavily armed sea pirates – dressed in full
military combat gear – descended from Israeli military helicopters unto the
decks of the Mavi Marmara – a Turkish flagged humanitarian aid ship carrying
hundreds of nonviolent peace advocates from around the globe.
These events took place in International waters, 100 kilometers off the coast of Gaza. The nonviolent peace advocates were on a life-saving mission to liberate the people of Gaza, from the open-aired prison imposed on them by Israel under the consent of its ally, the United States. After being surrounded by Israeli military vessels and with helicopters hovering over their heads, these courageous nonviolent peace advocates watched with amazement and terrorized, as Israeli commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara shooting randomly and killing and wounding many of the advocates on board. Following the massacre, the ship was taken to Ashdod port where those who survived have either been arrested awaiting deportation, or are being treated in hospitals across Israel.
These events took place in International waters, 100 kilometers off the coast of Gaza. The nonviolent peace advocates were on a life-saving mission to liberate the people of Gaza, from the open-aired prison imposed on them by Israel under the consent of its ally, the United States. After being surrounded by Israeli military vessels and with helicopters hovering over their heads, these courageous nonviolent peace advocates watched with amazement and terrorized, as Israeli commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara shooting randomly and killing and wounding many of the advocates on board. Following the massacre, the ship was taken to Ashdod port where those who survived have either been arrested awaiting deportation, or are being treated in hospitals across Israel.
When Israel attacked the Gaza aid flotilla, Congresswoman Jane Harman was engaged in a parallel assault. Israel’s government relied on the efficacy of violence; Harman’s campaign was counting on the power of paid media. In both cases, the targets were advocates of human rights for Palestinian people.
Brandishing guns and stun grenades, in international waters, Israeli commandos rappelled from a helicopter and boarded from a fast-moving boat onto the flotilla’s largest ship. The mission was to halt a Gaza-bound expedition carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid.
The mission of Harman’s campaign strategists -- targeting her progressive opponent with a slick TV commercial -- was to achieve a related goal in California’s 36th congressional district. Stopping the Gaza flotilla and stopping the congressional campaign of Marcy Winograd are similar agenda items.
Harman, a powerful member of the center-right Blue Dog Coalition, is one of the Israeli government’s most valued allies on Capitol Hill. She’s a standout -- even in a Congress teeming with fervent apologists for Israel’s relentless suppression of Palestinian rights.
Brandishing guns and stun grenades, in international waters, Israeli commandos rappelled from a helicopter and boarded from a fast-moving boat onto the flotilla’s largest ship. The mission was to halt a Gaza-bound expedition carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid.
The mission of Harman’s campaign strategists -- targeting her progressive opponent with a slick TV commercial -- was to achieve a related goal in California’s 36th congressional district. Stopping the Gaza flotilla and stopping the congressional campaign of Marcy Winograd are similar agenda items.
Harman, a powerful member of the center-right Blue Dog Coalition, is one of the Israeli government’s most valued allies on Capitol Hill. She’s a standout -- even in a Congress teeming with fervent apologists for Israel’s relentless suppression of Palestinian rights.
As Congress at last debates the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, we might ask ourselves: "What if George Washington was gay?"
The question is posed by "Thomas Paine's" shocking new PASSIONS OF THE POTSMOKING PATRIOTS (www.harveywasserman.com).
The answer, of course, is that---under today's laws---he would have been drummed out of the Revolutionary Army, and we might still be a colony of the King.
Because he "could not tell a lie," a gay General Washington would have been obliged to turn himself in. Under current policy, the Continental Congress would have sent him packing back to Mt. Vernon.
Like many gays in today's military, Washington was irreplaceable. Possessed of an iron will and Vesuvian temper, it's hard to imagine anyone else holding the ragtag Revolutionary army together. His 1776 crossing of the Delaware to surprise the mercenary Hessians in Trenton was one of the great military strokes in all history.
The question is posed by "Thomas Paine's" shocking new PASSIONS OF THE POTSMOKING PATRIOTS (www.harveywasserman.com).
The answer, of course, is that---under today's laws---he would have been drummed out of the Revolutionary Army, and we might still be a colony of the King.
Because he "could not tell a lie," a gay General Washington would have been obliged to turn himself in. Under current policy, the Continental Congress would have sent him packing back to Mt. Vernon.
Like many gays in today's military, Washington was irreplaceable. Possessed of an iron will and Vesuvian temper, it's hard to imagine anyone else holding the ragtag Revolutionary army together. His 1776 crossing of the Delaware to surprise the mercenary Hessians in Trenton was one of the great military strokes in all history.
BANGKOK, Thailand -- Red Shirt protesters allegedly set fire to 20 buildings on Wednesday (May 19) including luxury shopping malls, banks, the Stock Exchange and offices, after losing their stronghold when soldiers used armored personnel carriers to crush their barricades, ending their six-week-long occupation.
Supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), known as the Red Shirts, allegedly took revenge and became arsonists, causing smoke to billow above Bangkok's modern skyline and plunging this Southeast Asian capital into its worst security crisis in decades.
In response, the government clamped an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew on Bangkok and 23 of Thailand's 76 other provinces.
Officials broadcast pleas on nationwide TV for the public to hunt down Reds who fled the barricades before the military assault.
Government offices were ordered shut for the rest of the week, and many businesses told staff not to return to work on Thursday (May 20).
Bangkok's rail service was also suspended.
A handful of Red Shirt leaders surrendered and were arrested. Others disappeared.
Supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), known as the Red Shirts, allegedly took revenge and became arsonists, causing smoke to billow above Bangkok's modern skyline and plunging this Southeast Asian capital into its worst security crisis in decades.
In response, the government clamped an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew on Bangkok and 23 of Thailand's 76 other provinces.
Officials broadcast pleas on nationwide TV for the public to hunt down Reds who fled the barricades before the military assault.
Government offices were ordered shut for the rest of the week, and many businesses told staff not to return to work on Thursday (May 20).
Bangkok's rail service was also suspended.
A handful of Red Shirt leaders surrendered and were arrested. Others disappeared.
BANGKOK, Thailand -- Black smoke billows from burning tires in the streets, creating small volcanoes fed by angry Red Shirt protesters armed with Molotov cocktails, slingshots and fireworks against trained snipers and inexperienced troops.
Survival amid Bangkok's worsening chaos and violence is making many people increasingly nervous, as more Reds and other civilians are shot and fires blaze.
A flaming barricade of tires spread to a nearby convenience store on Sunday (May 16) along Rama 4 Road, burning it to charred wreckage despite efforts by Reds and residents to douse the fire.
Many people fear hard-line protesters might intentionally set luxury hotels, malls, condominiums and offices ablaze if the army attacks the Reds' central rally site at Ratchaprasong intersection, equivalent to New York's Times Square.
Those concerns, coupled with the danger widespread civilian casualties, has kept security forces from storming the Reds' heavily barricaded Ratchaprasong stronghold, preferring to surround its outer streets and try to starve protesters into submission.
Survival amid Bangkok's worsening chaos and violence is making many people increasingly nervous, as more Reds and other civilians are shot and fires blaze.
A flaming barricade of tires spread to a nearby convenience store on Sunday (May 16) along Rama 4 Road, burning it to charred wreckage despite efforts by Reds and residents to douse the fire.
Many people fear hard-line protesters might intentionally set luxury hotels, malls, condominiums and offices ablaze if the army attacks the Reds' central rally site at Ratchaprasong intersection, equivalent to New York's Times Square.
Those concerns, coupled with the danger widespread civilian casualties, has kept security forces from storming the Reds' heavily barricaded Ratchaprasong stronghold, preferring to surround its outer streets and try to starve protesters into submission.