America - - 2012 A New Kind of Bailout is needed!

AMERICA- - 2012

A New kind of Bailout is needed!

Right or wrong, whatever one may believe, pro or con about the financial bailout given at the end of the Bush Administration or during the first years of the Obama one, it is my opinion a new and different kind of bailout is needed. This time however, the kind of bailout America needs is not financial instead it is more of an adjustment or re-direction in the path she is being taken down. Let me explain why I feel the way I do;

·         NEW BAILOUT ONE: to me, this is the most important one, NO MORE APOLOGIES being given to other nations from an apologist President or members of his Cabinet. America is, and has always been a great and benevolent country. Thousands of American military members are buried in cemeteries in many of the countries they fought to defend and died for in order to preserve their freedom while defending ours. They protected those nations by defeating a tyrannical despot or Fascist regime. They did their best, their bravery was unparalleled. Yes, sometimes they made mistakes that didn’t reflect the true nature of the American character. But, in the end those countries survived and remain free. No, we Americans are not seeking anything other than acknowledgement we were there for you when you needed us and will always be so as long as America survives. But hear and heed this international community we damn sure don’t owe you any apologies!

·         NEW BAILOUT TWO: for those Americans that are truly disabled and can’t work or survive without government assistance it will and always should be there for you. But to all other Americans, stop looking to state and federal government for a free ride or a hand out. No one in America is entitled as many Americans feel they are and what this Administration would have you believe. Samuel Adams, one of America’s founding fathers made the following statement; “The utopian schemes of leveling (wealth distribution) and communities of goods are as visionary and impractical as those which vest all property in the crown. “These ideas are arbitrary, despotic, and in our government, unconstitutional.” America is the greatest country on earth where it is possible for one to realize and live a life of freedom unlike any other place in the world. Looking to the government to give you prosperity and freedom by taking from others that have worked hard and earned it is the sure route to losing them. Prosperity and freedom’s that were earned through sacrifices in blood, sweat and tears of generations past were not then and should never be as a result of a government hand-out or class warfare.

·         NEW BAILOUT THREE: our American way of life as we have known and intended it to be since 1776 and then again in 1787 when the U.S. Constitution was adopted has never been in jeopardy as it is today. From the President of the United States, every federal and state elected official, members of the armed forces and down to law enforcement have taken an oath to uphold it. Yet through legislation such as the Affordable Health Care Act the very principles of the constitution are or will be routinely circumvented by it unless the U.S. Supreme Court overturns it this year. First Amendment right’s most recently came under attack by one of the provisions of the Health Care Law that forces religious institutions to disregard their core beliefs and tenet’s. At this very moment as I write this there is an amendment to the Health Care Law has been allowed to be brought to the Senate Floor for a vote that was introduced by Missouri Senator Roy Blunt. Senator Blunt’s amendment states “nothing in this title (or any amendment made by this title) shall be construed to require an individual or institutional health care provider, or authorize a health plan to require a provider, to provide, participate in, or refer for a specific item or service contrary to the provider’s religious beliefs or moral convictions.” To me, this amendment is a simple and straight forward effort in protecting the First Amendment right to free exercise of one’s religious beliefs or practices. It has nothing to do with a woman’s right to practicing birth control or contraception; it just does not or will not allow the health care law to circumvent the First Amendment to the constitution. The President in supporting and allowing the health care law to become the law of the land by his signature has violated the very oath of office he took when he was sworn in.

These are but three of what I feel are new and different kinds of bailout steps that need to be recognized and taken to put America back on the correct path in restoring her rightful place in the world. I for one am proud of my country and don’t feel a need or obligation to offer an apology to any other nation and demand that President Obama stop his apologies and to uphold the constitution he has sworn to do so.       

  

Reasons Why SB9 should not be passed.

In California, as early as tomorrow 2/27/2012 the California Assembly will consider passage of Senate Bill 9 authored by San Francisco State Senator Yee that will allow parole eligibility hearings and consideration for violent felons that were convicted of murder and sentenced to "Life in Prison Without the Possibility of Parole. (LWOP) The murderers in question that this legislation covered were under age 18 when they committed the murders and were tried as adults.

As a parent of a son that was murdered by a juvenile in 1993 I consider Senator Yee's Bill to be an affront to the American Criminal Justice System and further victimization of the family members and friends of all victims of murder, not only in California but every other state in America. It is yet another blatant attempt on the part of Yee and other liberal social engineers and do-gooders to circumvent the criminal trial process and to overturn the existing laws allowing for the imposition of a LWOP sentence being given by the trial judge.

In a article that appeared in the Los Angeles Times on Saturday, 2/25/12 written by Richard Serrano about Senator Yee's latest poster child for passage of SB9 a young lady named Elizabeth Lozano who is currently serving an LWOP sentence has been portrayed as the victim in an unjust criminal justice system as she was convicted of murder at the age of 16. In the article Serrano praises Lozano for her reaching out to other at risk teens from prison. While her achievements may be commendable from her murder victim's standpoint they are too little, too late. No matter what good she has done while in prison, nothing she does or can ever do will bring her victim back to life. Senator Yee and those like him don't want those murderers who were juveniles at the time to be held accountable for their murderous deeds. For them to spend the rest of their lives in prison as they were sentenced to after receiving their 6th Amendment Constitutional Rights to a fair trial is considered unfair and a cruel and unsual punishment, the rest of their lives will be wasted. It doesn't matter one iota that the persons they murdered  lives and any future they would have had were wasted.

I have written two letters to the California Assembly Members that will be voting on SB9 as early as tomorrow asking that they vote NO on this misguided legislation and want to share them in this blog Write Thoughts. One letter is addressed to those Assembly Members that abstained from voting and the other a thank you and reminder to once again they must vote NO! Senate Bill 9 is yet another example of a law that places violent offenders rights above the law and the criminal justice process they received and once again relegates crime victims to the status of being placed beneath the law.

Please keep this one thing in mind, while you or a loved one haven't and hopefully will never become a victim of murder or a survivor of one I feel safe in thinking that if such a horrible did ever happen to you or a loved one in the interest and name of justice being served in your memory it is and would be an insult to you and/or the survivors that the person or persons guilty of such a heinous crime committed against you or a loved one would never ultimately be considered as the true or real victim, which is or will be the true message that will be sent of the intent of Senator Yee's SB9 if it is passed. In the memory of our murdered loved ones, they deserve better, much better.  

February 26, 2012

California Assembly Member Tony Mendoza

Fax (916) 319-2156

Re: Vote No on SB9

Dear Assembly Member Alejo:

As parents of a murdered son who was murdered in 1993 in Los Angeles by a juvenile that was tried as an adult, convicted and sentenced to 30 years to life I implore you not to take the easy way out this time by abstaining to vote on SB9. Instead, put the interest of public safety and justice first and foremost when you are asked to vote this week on SB9. This bill is totally misguided and a miscarriage of justice and re-victimization being suffered by the surviving family members and friends of the victims they murdered. SB9 if passed will allow some juvenile offenders that have been sentenced to Life in Prison without the Possibility of Parole for murders they were found guilty of committing to be eligible for parole consideration. Assembly Member Mendoza, I URGE and PLEAD you to VOTE NO for passage of SB9.

An article appeared in the Los Angeles Times on 2/25/12 written by Richard Serrano about a young woman by the name Elizabeth Lozano who apparently now is the “poster child” for Senator Yee’s SB9. What she has accomplished while serving her LWOP sentence may be commendable but unless or until she and other LWOP juvenile offenders can walk on water and bring our loved ones back to life, giving them another chance to live, no further compassion or consideration should be given and is not deserved. SB9 is yet another example of a liberal bias that pervades government in California and America today that does not want to hold violent predators accountable for their heinous crimes. If that is how you feel then as a parent of as murdered son, please consider the following as it pertains to Elizabeth Lozano and all the other LWOP juvenile offenders serving their sentences;

February 26, 2012

California Assembly Member Norma J. Torres

Fax (916) 319- 2161

Re: Vote No on SB9

Dear Assembly Member Torres

As parents of a murdered son who was murdered in 1993 in Los Angeles by a juvenile that was tried as an adult, convicted and sentenced to 30 years to life My wife and I thank you and once again seek your support in voting NO on SB9 and for putting the interest of public safety and justice first and foremost when you are asked to vote this week on SB9. This bill is totally misguided and a miscarriage of justice and re-victimization being suffered by the surviving family members and friends of the victims they murdered. SB9 if passed will allow some juvenile offenders that have been sentenced to Life in Prison without the Possibility of Parole for murders they were found guilty of committing to be eligible for parole consideration. Assembly Member Torres, WE URGE and PLEAD you to VOTE NO again against the passage of SB9.

An article appeared in the Los Angeles Times on 2/25/12 written by Richard Serrano about a young woman by the name Elizabeth Lozano who apparently now is the “poster child” for Senator Yee’s SB9. What she has accomplished while serving her LWOP sentence may be commendable but unless or until she and other LWOP juvenile offenders can walk on water and bring our loved ones back to life, giving them another chance to live, no further compassion or consideration should be given and is not deserved. SB9 is yet another example of caring more for the rights of convicted murderers than for the losses suffered by the victims, once again disregarding the fact that they too are serving a LWOP sentence, (Life Without the Possibility of Peace or Closure.)  A philosophy that seems to pervade government in California and America today that does not want to hold violent predators accountable for their heinous crimes. If  you are undecided on how you will vote this time please consider the following thoughts written about Elizabeth Lozano which portrays her and all the other LWOP juvenile offenders serving their sentences

as the victim's;

LWOP OFFENDER LOZANO and ALL OTHERS                        

             ·         Acclaim for reaching out to help teens in prison

·         Per Lozano, “every child is redeemable

·         Per Lozano, “I didn’t want to die in here.”

·         Lozano and other LWOP prisoner’s positive acts to help at risk teens.

·         Prison files filled with testimonials lauding Lozano and other LWOP prisoner’s work ethic, positive attitude and exemplary behavior.

·         A teen’s brain is not fully developed, youth take too many risks. In other words they are not accountable for their murderous acts we would be led to accept by so-called experts.

THEIR MURDERED VICTIM’S

·         No out-reach programs available to help them because they are DEAD

·         They have no chance to be redeemed and given a second chance at living

·         My son and all other MURDER VICTIMS didn’t want to die either

·         Society deprived of any potential contributions they may have been able to add because they were MURDERED by an LWOP prisoner

·         Cemeteries filled with Graves of their murder victims

·         In our Judeo/Christian society that America was founded upon a teen is deemed to be an adult at age 13 in the Jewish Religion’s ceremonies such as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah or when one reaches an age of accountability in the Christian religion such as Confirmation. At this time they are judged to have reached an age where they can differentiate between right and wrong, THEY ARE ADULTS!

 

Write thoughts of today 2/19/2012

“Extremism, political correctness and class warfare is a sure path that leads America down the road to an unhealthy and politically divided level of intolerance.”

“In the past Americans enjoyed and also took for granted certain freedoms and inalienable rights. “But with the passing of each day many were changed or taken away because they were now considered unfair, unjust or politically incorrect. “Tonight when we go to bed I wonder and fear what tomorrow will bring and what freedoms and rights will be next on big government's list to take away or what  will still be okay?"

Write thoughts of the day

Contrary to the thinking of many today entitlements are not inalienable rights, they must be earned by an expectation and through a realization they somehow will have to be paid for by the taxes of the poor and the rich alike. Also, should not receiving entitlements include a demand accompanied with a desire and a work ethic as well a realization that they must also include certain inalienable obligations? 

RLM 

   

Prosecutor's Appeal on the Amanda Knox Appeals Court Decision

Revisiting Amanda Knox, What's Next for Her?

Last October, just after the release of Amanda Knox from an Italian prison when an Appeals Court found her and her friend Raffaele Sollecito not guilty for the murder of Meredith Kircher I wrote an article as a Yahoo Contributor asking what's next for Miss Knox. Today it has been reported that the Italian Prosecutor Guiliano Mignini filed a 112-page appeal today seeking to throw out a court ruling that found Knox innocent of her roommate's murder and set her free after four years in an Italian prison.
Quoting parts of an article written by NIKKI BATTISTE | Good Morning America that appeared on Yahoo's internet site the following is taken from her article about the appeal that was filed it states; "The appeal challenges the court's decision to allow an independent review of the forensic evidence on two key pieces of evidence, Kercher's bra clasp that supposedly contained Sollecito's DNA and the alleged murder weapon, which supposedly had both Knox and Kercher's DNA on it. The court declined to allow a review of other evidence, Galati's papers said."
"Knox and Sollecito were freed after the independent review found that DNA evidence was badly mishandled, could have been contaminated and was so minute it was not legally credible."
"In setting aside Knox and Sollecito's convictions, the court said the prosecutor's allegation "was not corroborated by any objective element of evidence and in itself was not, in fact probable: the sudden choice of two young people, good and open to other people, to do evil for evil's sake, just like that, without another reason."
"Today's appeal came more than four month's after Knox, 24, and Sollecito, 27, were freed in a dramatic ruling in Perugia, Italy."
This brings me back to the questions and observations I had when I wrote my original article about Amanda Knox and what lies ahead for her and want to ask them again. As a father of a murdered son who like all the participants in this or any murder trial have been forced to experience a crash course in the criminal justice system, I am very intrigued by what happens next. While my journey through the American Justice System was not as extensive as is the case for this trial because the crime took place in another country and one of the accused, Amanda Knox being an American citizen has been forced to deal with a system that is drastically different from the American Criminal Justice System, one can only speculate what other roads her journey will take her down. Her rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution when compared to those afforded to persons accused of crime in Italy are at distinct odds as what the investigation, trial process, sentencing and appeals would be here in the U.S. This being said as an interested observer, I have questions what comes next for Miss Knox and the ramifications of any future proceedings if they are required to take place.
As has been reported, the Italian Prosecutor, Guiliano Mignini has now filed an appeal seeking to reverse the appeals court's decision that allowed Miss Knox and Mr. Sollecito's earlier conviction to be overturned, permitting them to go free. As my research and what I have read in various news accounts reveal no appeal can be filed by Mr. Mignini until the court that overturned their conviction publishes a formal explanation of (its) decision, and as I understand this could take a few months before it will go to Italy's highest court for review. Then, if Italy's highest court overturns the acquittal Mr. Mignini would be free to request that Miss Knox be extradited back to Italy to finish whatever remained of her sentence which could be increased to life in prison instead of the 26 years she was originally sentenced to. It is also up to the Italian Government to decide whether such a request (for extradition) is made. I don't know if they are legally obligated to request extradition or if they have the discretion not to do so.
When writing my earlier article I researched the existing (I believe) Extradition Treaty between the U.S. and Italy signed in Rome on October 13, 1983 during the Reagan Administration and I would imagine and hope the dialogue concerning what happens next will be considerable, not only in the court of public opinion and discussion but also in the legal community as I feel certain it will be required to be as well. I hope my questions and observations I am trying to make in this article will be answered, and I also would like to think they are or would be considered salient and articulate.
For the sake of argument in a worst case scenario for Miss Knox, the Italian High Court overturns the appeals court's decision could the U.S. Government refuse her extradition under the provisions of Article VI of the Extradition Treaty, "Non Bis in Idem" which states in part "Extradition shall not be granted when the person sought has been convicted, acquitted or pardoned" as she was? If Italy's extradition request was granted would Miss Knox have her U.S. Constitutional rights take precedence prohibiting "double jeopardy" even though it is allowed under Italian law? Could or would the U.S. State or Justice Department make this argument on her behalf? Could her attorneys argue this point?
While I am only an interested person who has experienced the intricacies of the American Criminal Justice system as a survivor of a murder victim I am not an attorney, and would be interested in hearing what others who have a knowledgeable legal background that could answer my questions. Also, while I am not even remotely versed in it and given various happenings during the course of this trial no matter the final outcome I hope true and correct justice will prevail.
I welcome anyone's comments as to what may or may not lay ahead for Amanda Knox purely and strictly from a legal standpoint and her U.S. Constitutional rights. Not whether what one's opinion might be if she is innocent or got away with murder as I believe this matter will ultimately be decided by a much higher court.

 

To see my earlier  article please go to http://voices.yahoo.com/amanda-knox-lies-ahead-10162689.html?cat=17

LETTER: Tired of political rhetoric, campaigns - Commentary - bellinghamherald.com

LETTER: Tired of political rhetoric, campaigns - Commentary - bellinghamherald.com