Daily Archives: July 31, 2022

July 31, 2022by Susie Day

Mutulu Shakur and his codefendant Marilyn Buck at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Manhattan, 1987. Photo: Trella Laughlin.

Anyone with a loved one in prison carries around the silent, ceaseless terror that the person so loved will die alone, behind bars. Currently, 71-year-old Mutulu Shakur, a Black man imprisoned 36 years, lies in a hospital bed in a federal prison medical facility in Lexington, Kentucky. Ravaged by bone marrow cancer, fed by tubes, having lost 25% of his body weight, Shakur has been given weeks at best, months to live. His loved ones family, friends, hundreds of supporters are trying any and all legal means to get him out. Time and again, the US government and the courts refuse.

Susie Day has written about prison issues since 1988, when she began reporting on the cases of people charged with political protest acts, one of them, Marilyn Buck. Her book, The Brother You Choose: Paul Coates and Eddie Conway Talk About Life, Politics, and The Revolution, was published by Haymarket Books in 2020.

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The Resounding Right of Mutulu Shakur to Die in Freedom - CounterPunch

Happy Friday! We are just about 48 hours out from Wayne Rooneys first match as head coach of D.C. United. If that doesnt throw a little pep in your step heading into the weekend, I dont know what will.

D.C. United continues to make moves to build out Rooneys squad, signing Victor Plsson from FC Schalke and David Ochoa from Real Salt Lake just this week. Lets hope the Black-and-Red have all the pieces they need (or are close to acquiring them) as the transfer window is about to slam shut on August 4.

Heres a fantastic first interview of Rooney and great behind-the-scenes content by Claudia Pagn to keep you busy until Sunday:

If youve been missing the Washington Spirit, youre in luck. Our defending champs take on North Carolina at 7:30 pm ET tonight! Andr has all the details on how to catch the match and what to expect. Make sure to stick with us tonight for your recap of North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit.

In case you missed it, Ryan recapped a painful Loudoun United loss to Birmingham. If youre sleeping on Ryans great Loudoun content, youre missing critical insight on players that frequently appear in D.C. Uniteds 18 and the up-and-comers we could see on the first team in the near future.

Loudoun takes on Monterey Bay FC Union at Segra Field tomorrow, July 3, at 7:15 pm ET. Loudoun United will hold its inaugural D.C. United night and fans will be able to view the first teams MLS trophies.

Lets get this weekend started!

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Friday Freedom Kicks: Wayne Rooneys watch begins Sunday, Washington Spirit returns to action tonight, and mo - Black And Red United

Freedom of Speech is being defended by two U.S. attorneys general and the Joe Biden censorship squad is being sued for social media collusion. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, bold warriors of justice are on the frontlines.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has been tweeting information at https://twitter.com/AGEricSchmitt/status/1522298313311096833.

Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us. William O. Douglas

Applause for the attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana for initiating the recent lawsuit. But, where are the other state leaders of justice?

According to the National Association of Attorneys General, all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have an attorney general who serves as the chief legal officer in their jurisdiction, counsels its government agencies and legislatures, and is a representative of the public interest. Click the following link to find the attorney general in your state. https://www.naag.org/news-resources/research-data/who-are-americas-attorneys-general/.

According to The World Tribune, the lawsuit alleges Joe Biden, former press secretary Jen Psaki, Anthony Fauci, former Disinformation Governance Board executive director Nina Jankowicz, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and others)pressured and colluded with social media giants Meta, Twitter, and YouTube to censor free speech in the name of combating so-called disinformation and misinformation, which led to the suppression and censorship of truthful information on several topics, including COVID-19. Visit https://www.worldtribune.com/lawsuit-alleging-biden-collusion-with-social-media-to-censor-conservatives-allowed-to-proceed/.

Biden and Big Tech are also on the hotseat for allegedly trying to squash the Hunter Biden laptop story in the lawsuit.

In reference to the lawsuit, The New York Post reported, The suit specifically accuses the government of suppression in the case of The Posts Hunter Biden laptop story, the theory that COVID-19 stemmed from a Wuhan lab, the effectiveness of wearing masks to stop the spread of COVID-19 and the security of mail-in voting during the pandemic. Visit https://nypost.com/2022/05/05/biden-sued-for-colluding-with-big-tech-to-suppress-free-speech-on-hunter-laptop/.

Biden, top-ranking government officials and five social media autocrats must provide documents within 30 days. Twitter, Meta (aka Facebook), YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn were served third-party subpoenas. Visit https://ago.mo.gov/home/news/2022/07/19/missouri-louisiana-serve-discovery-requests-subpoenas-on-top-biden-administration-officials-and-social-media-giants.

Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech. Benjamin Franklin

Will attorney generals, judges, and courts encounter more censorship about the alleged censorship from the censorship caravan?

The D.C. spin machine must be twirling and whirling like rubbish in a tornado. The fiends of fib are working overtime while the puppet masters circle the wagons. And of course, mainstream media puppets are ignoring the elephant in the room. What elephant? What censoring of speech? What lawsuit?

What can citizens do? Contact Ohio Attorney General Don Yost and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and send them a link to my op-ed article. Write a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper. Tweet and retweet info on the ensuing lawsuit. Vote in the upcoming election. And attend peaceful gatherings to defend and preserve Freedom of Speech.

Wise up. Stand up. Speak Up. Ohioans, choose to fight for our freedoms.

Well, I wont back down. No, I wont back down. You can stand me up to the gates of hell, but I wont back down sang Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.

Martin

Reach Melissa Martin at [emailprotected]

Melissa Martin, PhD., a freelance syndicated columnist, is published in various national and international print and digital newspapers. She is a semi-retired therapist and educator. Martin lives in southern Ohio.

Please submit comments and Letters to the Editor to [emailprotected] for publishing consideration by our editorial board.

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Will Ohio Attorney Don Yost join the fight for freedom of speech? - Portsmouth Daily Times

Story submitted by Thomas Pitcher

In early July of 1863, Henry Clay took a bayonet in the arm.

Clay, a slave, was trying to escape the victorious Federal army at Gettysburg. His Confederate master had either been killed or also taken prisoner by the Union Army. Following the aftermath of this decisive battle, nearly 7,000 rebel prisoners were taken to Baltimores Fort McHenry. Less discussed is the 64 captured African American slaves, like Clay, brought into the war to cook and clean for the southern army.

Lynne Belluscio, LeRoys town historian, first mentioned the other Henry Clay in 1998 and then with a more detailed article in the LeRoy Pennysaver in 2014. Through her research, we learned that Clay was born in Washington County, Georgia in 1849.

While the information is scarce, Clays place in American history is nothing short of remarkable.

Six months before the Battle of Gettysburg, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves within the rebellious states. Despite the 4 million enslaved African Americans, the orders immediate impact was only felt by the roughly 50,000 slaves in Confederate regions occupied by the Union Army. Gettysburgs aftermath served as an important litmus test for Lincolns proclamation, specifically the treatment of Confederate slaves captured in battle.

Five weeks after Gettysburg, the commissary general of prisoners in the U.S Army, Colonel William Hoffman, declared that captured [African Americans] are ranked as camp followers and therefore prisoners of war. This meant that slaves like Clay would be returned to their masters as dictated through the prisoner exchange system. Colonel Peter A. Porter didnt buy it. He believed that captured slaves be employed in the service of the Government as paid laborers thus rendering service to the Government and avoiding the return to slavery . Raising the stakes, Porter suggested that the decision was beyond Hoffmans jurisdiction and that it be forwarded to the Secretary of War.

The Union Army sided with Porter. Of the 64 slaves captured at Gettysburg, half of them chose freedom and remained in the north. Sixteen joined as cooks in the regiments stationed in Baltimore. Henry Clay, only 14 years old at the time, joined Porters regiment as a cook in Company I, a group of men exclusively organized in Genesee County.

Ive been researching the 8th N.Y.H.A for fourteen years and up until Belluscios discovery hadnt come across a documented former slave within the regiments ranks.

From that moment onward, Clays life would only get more interesting. He was modest about his role in the regiment.

It wasnt much to be a cook in the army. I could carry water and peel potatoes and do things like that.

But it appears he may have done much more. While not on official muster roles, Clay was counted amongst the soldiers in several reunions held for the regiment after the war. Hes also listed as the first African American Civil War veteran in Genesee County.

By the end of 1863, Clay had already been present at several battles leading up to Gettysburg while a servant in the Confederate Army. Colonel Porters regiment left Baltimore for the field that following spring. Clay would now be dressed in blue for Ulysses S. Grants invasion of Virginia; battles such as Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, and the Siege of Petersburg.

One battle stands out. On June 3, 1864, Porters regiment, along with several others, were ordered to charge confederate breastworks at Cold Harbor, Virginia. History has looked unkindly on Grants decision to send so many men to their death on that blistering hot Friday morning. Colonel Porters last words were follow me boys before he was riddled with bullets. The story concerning the recovery of his body by several members of the regiment, under heavy fire, was re-told countless times at every reunion. According to different sources, there was either five or six men involved in that mission. As a result, one of them was awarded the Medal of Honor. Why the others were not held with similar praise is as large of a mystery now as it was when the medal was issued 34 years after the battle in 1898.

Its not known if Henry Clay ever discussed what his role was at Cold Harbor while he was alive. However, one 1925 obituary needs attention.

Mr. Clay was born a slave and was with Colonels Porter regiment when that gallant soldier laid down his life at Cold Harbor. He was a member of the detachment which retrieved Colonel Porters body.

There is a certain type of karma here that cant be lost one individual campaigns for the others' freedom while the latter, risks his life rescuing his dead body.

After the war, Clay moved to Batavia, married and took jobs as a farmer, janitor, and bank teller. Through the individuals mentioned in his will, we learn that Henry Clay was born to Henry Hugh Mayweather and Caroline Williams, two slaves from Sparta, Georgia. They may have been sold to William Monroe Clay of Washington County sometime in the 1840s or 1850s. He was a wealthy plantation owner who had three sons and a son-in-law who fought with the 49th Georgia, a confederate regiment at both Fredericksburg and Gettysburg where Clay was present.

In 1889, Clay returned to Georgia to visit family. Upon arriving there, he learned that his old slave master was dead. He didnt provide a lot of details on the trip other than the fact that his friends tried to persuade Henry to remain in Georgia, but his heart was in Batavia.

Originally posted here:

Slavery, Captivity and Freedom the story of Batavia's 'Other Henry Clay' - The Batavian

If you are a Mindhunter fan who has still not gotten over not getting a third season of your favourite show, Black Bird can provide some much-needed closure

If you are a Mindhunter fan who has still not gotten over not getting a third season of your favourite show, Black Bird can provide some much-needed closure

Black Bird is the story of James Keene, a fallen hero and his path to redemption and freedom. The six-episode limited series takes inspiration from a real-life story and is dramatised to suit our senses.

The Apple TV+ series, like many of its predecessors in the genre, attempts to bring the audience closer to the psyche of a serial killer. However, it is not veteran FBI agents who take us into the cells of the criminally insane.

James Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) was destined for greatness as an adolescent; a star football player with scholarships to elite colleges. That is until all his dreams come crashing down when he is drawn into the world of drugs and armed weapons. Little Jimmy stumbles and falls off the tracks and becomes the stereotypical American bad boy who sleeps around with women, deals in drugs, and stores armed weapons in his house. Jimmys nonchalant days come to an end when his apartment is raided and he is found in the possession of drugs and arms. He pleads guilty to the charges registered against him and is sentenced to ten years in prison.

However, FBI agent Lauren McCauley (Sepideh Moafi) offers Jimmy his freedom in exchange for a favour; Jimmy is to move to a maximum-security prison whose inmates are deemed criminally insane and get a confession out of Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser), an inmate suspected of having killed over 14 women whose bodies remain undiscovered. McCauley picks Jimmy for the job as she believes that his charm coupled with his intelligence and childhood experiences will aid him in befriending Hall and eliciting a confession.

It takes about an episode and a half to set the stage and cue the music for the actors to dance to, and the establishment of the plot might seem slow and boring even... but steady yourself for the long haul, as all of this is worth the wait.

Black Bird

Developed by: Dennis Lehane

Cast: Taron Egerton, Paul Walter Hauser, Sepideh Moafi, Greg Kinnear, Ray Liotta

No. of episodes: 6

Storyline: Inspired by a true story, as Jimmy Keene begins a 10-year prison sentence, he gets an incredible offer: If he can elicit a confession from suspected killer Larry Hall, Jimmy will be freed

Taron Egerton as James Jimmy Keene and Paul Walter Hauser as Larry Hall are magnetic in their scenes together. The duo is so adept at working off of each others energies on-screen, that watching them act is like watching a well-choreographed ballet. Their performances transcend the bars of their cells to suck us in; Hauser, especially with his body language and the unique ticks he gives to Hall, creates a constant air of discomfort on-screen.

While the show opens up multiple avenues to address issues of patriarchy and misogyny that plague most serial killers, these plot points remain mere footnotes. Black Bird attempts to embody the academic nature of Mindhunter, but it never really ascends to realising its full potential, straying and becoming just another well-made thriller.

The show also fails to address the larger structural issues that plague prisons in America like the industrial-prison complex or the racial divide that exists within the walls of a prison, and is sometimes painfully microscopic.

However, the production of the series is clean with crisp sound and hushed tones. The colour grading is reminiscent of Finchers Mindhunter. If you are a Mindhunter fan who has still not gotten over not getting a third season of your favourite show, Black Bird can provide some much-needed closure.

And finally, the show is a fitting farewell to Ray Liotta who essays the role of Big Jim Jimmys father on-screen. Big Jim is a frail old man recovering from his stroke, forced to reckon with the idea of morality and the legacy he leaves behind in his son. He is one of the main reasons Jimmy fights for his freedom. Knowing that this was the last roles Liotta played, makes the musing of Big Jim on screen even more effective.

Black Bird is currently streaming on Apple TV+

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Black Bird review: A thrilling story of a bargain for freedom, and a fitting farewell to Ray Liotta - The Hindu

The Government of India has recently approved a proposal to release a commemorative postage stamp to honour freedom fighter Ondiveeran, who had fought against the British rule.

Ondiveeran was a trusted lieutenant in the Pulithevan Army that had taken on the imperialist forces.

The stamp is likely to be released in August, officials said. Since August 20 is the death anniversary of the freedom fighter and this year marks his 250th death anniversary, it may be chosen for the release, they said.

Ondiveeran was a native of Nerkattum Seval near Sankarankoil in the erstwhile Tirunelveli district (since bifurcated and now in Tenkasi district).

In 2011, the DMK government, under Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, laid the foundation for a memorial, named Maveeran Ondiveeran Manimandapam, in Palayamkottai. In 2016, the AIADMK government, under Jayalalithaa, inaugurated the Manimandapam with a statue of Ondiveeran.

Professor S. Seenivasan, of the Department of Tamil at a private college affiliated to Delhi University, said the ancestors of Ondiveeran were zamindars and palayakarars in the Sankarankoil area before conspiracies unseated them.

The author of Thamizhaga Arundhathiyar-Vaazhvum Varalarum has also requested the State government to name the Government Arts and Science College at Sankarankoil after Ondiveeran because Nerkattum Seval is closer to the town. He also pointed to the folklore lauding Ondiveeran for his valour in the fight against the British.

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Postage stamp to be released to honour freedom fighter Ondiveeran - The Hindu

Another Wednesday. Another week without A/C. Home Warranties reinforce their scamminess as they refuse to cover thousands of dollars of work associated with repairing my A/C, so Im now on the market to just buy a new one. Fortunately, my work schedule has me extremely busy in their air conditioned buildings. Unfortunately, that leaves you all with some thin (and late) kicks today.

D.C. United Sign Midfielder Victor Plsson: Cool. New player. Wait. Designated Player?

Ooooh. A designated player only this year, seeing as we have unused open slots. Fair enough, I suppose.

From Plastic to Porcelain: The Julian Gressel fallout continues with an embarrassing reminder that the Loudoun training grounds are maybe not all that great.

Birmingham Legion FC vs Loudoun United: Speaking of Loudoun, theyre traveling to Alabama to face Birmingham Legion tonight.

Getting to Know: Averie Collins: Even little pieces like this are appreciated to form some sort of human relationship with our athletic superstars. I dont know the Washington Spirit half as well as Id like, so Im grateful for these little bones from the team. Now if we can get United to do these pieces as well so that I may know the thought behind every team members jersey number.

The United States appears to get an island to itself for the upcoming World Cup, and I just think thats interesting.

Somewhat fresh off of NASCARs recent extremely rare double disqualification in the Xfinity Series, NASCAR just this last weekend disqualified both 1st place Denny Hamlin and 2nd place Kyle Busch, teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing (yes, that Joe Gibbs). As if that isnt already controversial enough, this sent divisive most-popular-driver Chase Elliott to victory lane. NASCAR has been very serious about leveling the playing field this year with this new car; strict rules are in place to discourage teams from cheating, and we now see those rules will not prevent the governing body from taking away the win. I dont think Chase Elliotts going to be getting any of that winners champagne.

Thats all I have for you. Kick the rest of this afternoon away into a comfortable evening!

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Wednesday Freedom Kicks: A new DP (sort of), Loudoun United return to action, and more - Black And Red United

Liberals in Canada seem to have lost their minds. The Trudeau government, under the pretext of climate policy, is reportedly going to force farmers to use less fertilizer at a time when inflation is rising and food poverty is growing.

Two years ago, the Liberal government introduced a 30% emissions reduction target for fertilizer use in the agricultural industry.Trudeau is now pushing for reforms and plans to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, a byproduct of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Groups associated with the agricultural sector claim that the only practical option to cut nitrous oxide emissions is by cutting back on fertilizer use which will diminish crop outputs.

Trudeau, the liberal poster boy, is so naive that he doesnt care about the timings of his policies. The world is under the grip of record-high inflation. Even powerful nations like the United States have plunged into recession. The food and energy security of the world is under an overwhelming threat and Canada is no exception. In June, Statistics Canada reported that the cost of food had risen by 8.8 per cent in the country the previous year.

Read More: All 13 premiers of Canada declare Justin Trudeau absconding over healthcare funding

Moreover, Canadas big arable land area gives it an edge in food production. It is impossible to overestimate the significance of Canada as a leading producer of food grains. It is the fifth-largest exporter of food, with over $82 billion in exports in the previous year. The sectors contribution to the Canadian economy in 2021 made up 6.8% of GDP and created millions of jobs.

It feels like Trudeau is asking for problems for himself and his country. Canada is the only country among the G7 that has imposed a tariff on Russian fertilizer imports, making things far worse for Canadian farmers.

Canadian farmers and citizens seem to be frustrated by the policies of their leader and possibly would soon rise in revolt. We have talked to other producer groups, were very concerned about exactly that same scenario. And will we go to these lengths like whats happening in the Netherlands? I dont know, President of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Gunter Jochum said.

But, you know, all I can say is, if you push farmers back right up against the wall where their livelihood is at stake and its a direct result of government overreach and non-science-based policies, then, who knows what could happen? he added.

Nationwide demonstrations have been prompted by the Netherlands governments strict nitrogen and ammonia emissions limitations. Farmers have even been fired upon by police as a result of the mayhem. Similar conditions seem to be possible in the future in Canada.

You see, Trudeau has been making bizarre decisions for far too long and the people of Canada are obviously frustrated. According to a poll, if an election were held now, the Conservatives would win 35% compared to 30% for the Liberals. Perhaps, Trudeaus stint as the Canadian PM would soon be over.

Trudeau has become the subject of historically low ratings. He has been surrounded by controversies for quite some time. Many issues like handling the COVID crisis and the issue of healthcare funding of the provinces have pushed him to the edge. Trudeaus latest policy would surely be the final nail in the coffin for his political career.

Read More: Scientists in the Netherlands drop a bombshell on the anti-farmers government

Remember, Trudeau is the same leader who repeatedly questioned Indias farm policies. The liberal poster boy expressed concerns about the protest by farmers in India against the now scrapped three farm laws. But when Canadians revolted against Trudeau, all the lofty discussions about the freedom to demonstrate were abandoned. Trudeau quickly invoked the Emergencies Act to clear the Freedom Convoy and completely trampled the rights of millions of Canadians.

Furthermore, the Canadian PM is widely believed to be one of the parties that fueled the protests against the farmers laws in India. It is almost humorous to witness the same coming back for him. The Indian farmers protest did not in any way weaken the Narendra Modi-led Indian Government of the country. However, the impending farmers protests in Canada will surely be the end of Trudeau.

The words of Sylvester Stallone hold true for Trudeau in the situation. Theres a natural law of karma that vindictive people, who go out of their way to hurt others, will end up broke and alone.

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Freedom movement 2.0: Farmers hit the final nail in Trudeaus coffin - TFI Global News

Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Sunday said that efforts should be made to take the life story of every hero of the Indian independence movement to all the households in the country.

Mishra was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Constitution Park at Maharaja Ganga Singh University in Bikaner under the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' -- a governments initiative to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of Indian independence.

In a reference to the initiative, he said that for the first time, the festival of keeping the memory of freedom fighters alive and events related to the independence movement, culture and glorious history of India is being celebrated throughout the country.

The governor said that the basic objective of the construction of the Constitution Parks is to inspire the new generation to practically connect with the high ideals associated with the Constitution while getting education.

They should be aware that the same constitution which has given us rights, has also attached duties to it, Mishra said. He also emphasised the importance to inculcate the consciousness of environmental protection among the students. Union Minister of State for Art, Culture and Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal, who was also present at the event, said that countless freedom fighters sacrificed their lives while fighting the British for the country's independence.

On the occasion of Amrit Mahotsav, we have to take the stories of these anonymous freedom fighters and revolutionaries to the common people, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Stories of freedom fighters should be taken to every household: Raj Guv - Devdiscourse