We celebrated Veterans Day on November 11. Yet one week before Veterans Day, a Fort Hood Muslim psychiatrist shot and killed 13 and injured 42 others.Was this about faith or a deranged mind? Is this the tip of the iceberg or an isolated incident? Suspicion against Muslims has grown since the September 11, 2001 attacks on us by Muslims. Muslims are now the new police profiling group at airports, on airplanes and everywhere else. Many Muslims have been detained on the basis of suspicion as terrorists. A Muslim sounding name or looking appearance is cause for concern now. In a post 9-11 world, we cannot overlook the fact that Muslims have us on heightened alert. And after the Fort Hood killings, they undoubtably will be on red alert. Should Muslim soldiers be allowed the option of seeking conscientious objector status in light of the Fort Hood developments? Religion is a funny thing. And yes, Islam is a religion, contrary to the utterly absurd remarks by Pat Robertson, that Islam … [Read more...] about FAITH AND FIGHTING: SHOULD MUSLIMS FIGHT MUSLIMS
LegalSpeaks Blog
AFTERMATH: EXECUTION OF JOHN ALLEN MUHAMMAD
John Allen Muhammad, known as the DC Sniper was executed around 9:00 pm on November 10, 2009. Did we get it right? Should we shout for joy or weep for sadness? The eyes of the whole world were on us as we took an eye for an eye, a life for a life. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, taking an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. None of the western European countries give the death penalty. We're in the company of Iran, Iraq, China and the Congo. Is that the company we want to keep? I was always taught to watch who you keep company with. We no longer give 20 lashes for theft. We don't give a rape sentence to a rapist. So why do we still kill a killer? Were the victims' families comforted by his execution? I doubt it. When have we ever been comforted by an act of violence? Violence never gives peace nor comfort. Violence begets violence. We cannot restore life by taking a life. Coretta Scott King once said an evil act is not redeemed by an evil act of retaliation. She kew … [Read more...] about AFTERMATH: EXECUTION OF JOHN ALLEN MUHAMMAD
MURDERING AN INNOCENT BLACK MAN?
John Allen Muhammad, the DC Sniper is asking the Supreme Court to halt his execution set for November 10. He proclaims the government is murdering an innocent black man. His lawyers assert his incompetence to stand trial and present his own defense. Trained law enforcement personnel could not have competently concocted a more elaborate killing spree than John Muhammad. Nope, nothing was wrong with his mind during his killing spree. In fact, Muhammad was a mastermind who initially out smarted federal, state and local law enforcement. Muhammad according to co-conspirator John Lee Malvo randomly killed people like people perform random mindless tasks. That does not make him anymore incompetent than someone who goes on a thoughtless random shopping spree. The handmade car for murder had holes in the trunk for him and Malvo to shoot out and kill people. Hitler couldn't have done a better job of killing people. The gun, hand tailored car and co-conspirator's statements of the killings … [Read more...] about MURDERING AN INNOCENT BLACK MAN?
Are Americans Becoming Un-American?
The same people who criticized President Obama and Michelle Obama during the election as being un-patriotic or un-American have now become anti-American or unpatriotic themselves. And that includes the tea totting partiers, Rush Limbaugh and all their cohorts. While we have the right to free speech in this country, too much of a good thing can also be bad. We had free speech to burn the American flag during the turbulent 1960's; freedom of speech for the KKK to burn crosses during the civil rights era. And now apparently, we have free speech to disrespect the President of the United States and the office of the Leader of the Free World. Even in free speech, there are limits. We do not have free speech rights when there is libel and slander, defamation or pornography involved. And I suggest that we don't need free speech when it goes beyond party differences but goes to the heart of the office of the presidency. As much as I was appalled during the election at the New Yorker … [Read more...] about Are Americans Becoming Un-American?
Peace By Peace
I am excited to announce that I am now guest blogging for Peace x Peace ( Peace by Peace) an international women's peace organization based in Washington, DC. Please go to their site to read my first blog at: http://www.peacexpeace.org/Peace_X_Peace_Blogs/?p=1144 From time to time, I will be blogging at Peace x Peace on issues that affect women here and abroad. I hope to provide readers with thought provoking food that will move some to action. Stay tuned. Best, Debbie Hines, Esq. … [Read more...] about Peace By Peace
Having A Heart For The Homeless
In reality any of us could become homeless. Just look at Chris Gardner, Wall Street mogul, now famous for his Pursuit of Happyness movie and book. He was once homeless. Tyler Perry, author, screen writer, actor and producer is now worth more than $100 million. Seven years before his breakthrough, he was out on the street with no where to go. There are countless veterans who valiantly served our country now living out their lives as homeless. If these exceptional persons could become homeless, any of us could go down that same path. It only takes a little bad luck and a reversal of fortune. So I find it perplexing that Mayor Fenty chose to cut $20 million from the services for the homeless. He chose to do so in total disregard for Councilman Wells' pleas to cut anywhere but the homeless services. Councilman Wells chairs the Committee which oversees funds for the homeless. And this was really a double whammy for the homeless. Mayor Fenty cut in the same week funds for the House … [Read more...] about Having A Heart For The Homeless