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- 19. May 2010: JLWOP ENDS for Some Juveniles!
- 5. May 2010: End Direct File in Colorado
- 23. April 2010: Colorado Opens New Asylum For Mentally Ill (cont)
- 20. April 2010: Colorado Opens New Asylum For Mentally Ill
- 12. March 2010: Debate On Direct File
- 12. March 2010: Solitary Confinement For Schools?
- 11. March 2010: Torture Instead of Education
- 2. March 2010: See No Evil
- 25. February 2010: Colorado Debates Direct File
- 18. February 2010: ENOUGH ALREADY!
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Juvenile Justice Reform Religion and Ethics
As we research the issue of juvenile justice reform, we find many reports and studies done by qualified organizations and individuals that support reform for juvenile justice laws and practices. Once in a while, someone does a program on this issue that help us put a “face” to the current practices. One such program aired on PBS. You will find the link below.
Aside from the usual call to question the moral and ethical practice of JLWOP this program does something else. It discusses the side of the victim. We know that there are very vocal victims advocates that do not want to see any change in the current practice of life without the possibility of parole. However there is one organization Mothers Against Murderers Association that has a different view. These women have all suffered the loss of a child, and sometime multiple family members, to violence. Yet they have chosen a different path. A path of forgiveness and believing in rehabilitation and redemption. They provide support for those who have lost children to violence, they advocate for juvenile intervention programs and they advocate for clemency for incarcerated youth. What a powerful statement and what incredible women. I went to their web site and found a poem that I am publishing here. It will make you think. I urge you to click on the link below, watch the program and then work diligently to save our children.
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OUR KIDS -VS- THE STREETSJUST TAKE A MOMENT AND LOOK AROUND AND TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE YOUR FRIEND, YOUR NEIGHBOR, AND EVEN YOUR KIDS HAVE CHOOSEN THE STREETS. SO WHERE DO WE TURN OR WHAT DO WE DO? HOW DO WE LET THEM KNOW THAT THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE CAN COST THEM, ALSO HAVE A LIFETIME AFFECT ON YOU. SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THEN AND NOW OUR KIDS HAVE TAKEN THE WRONG PATH. THINGS USE TO BE FUNNY NOW WE CAN NO LONGER LAUGH. BUT IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO PULL THEM BACK AND RELEASE THOSE STREET TIES, BECAUSE OUR GOAL IS NOT ONLY TO EDUCATE THEM BUT ALSO TOO SAVE THERE LIVES. IS IT THE DRUG DEALERS, PEER PRESSURE, JUST WHAT OR WHO IS THE BLAME? OR SHOULD WE JUST STAND AND LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND CALL OUR OWN NAME. BUT WE DO KNOW IN ORDER FOR THE ANSWER TO BE FOUND, WE MUST FIRST PRAY AND THEN MAINTAIN STRONG RELIGIOUS GROUNDS. SO LORD WE ASK YOU TO BE THERE NOT JUST NOW AND THEN, BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES TO OUR KIDS -VS- THE STREETS THEY CANT WIN. WE ALL WANT OUR KIDS TO HAVE THE BEST, TO SUCCEED, BUT NOT AT ANY COST. BECAUSE THERE IS TO MUCH HURT, PAIN AND DEPRESSION WHEN YOU’RE TRYING TO COPE WITH A LOSS. PAIN IN OUR HEARTS THAT WE SOMETIMES HIDE, AND DON’T WANNA SHARE. ALTHOUGH LORD YOU HAVE TOLD US THE BURDEN IS YOURS AND ALL OUR PAIN YOU WOULD BARE. SO LORD YOU SEE WE REALLY DO NEED YOU AND WE NEED YOU NOW. WE NEED YOU TO GIVE US THAT SPECIAL SIGN THAT SHOWS US HOW TO SAVE OUR KIDS, AND END THIS ON GOING TREND. BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES TO OUR KIDS –VS- THE STREETS THEY CANT WIN… <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–>Artie Williams V.P.<!–[endif]–> |
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Powerful video from the PBS Religion and Ethics Weekly on the subject of life without parole. It’s the story of a Florida 15 year old given four life without parole sentences for armed robbery while assisting a 25 year old. Victims’issues are addressed in an unusual and compelling fashion.
To view and hear it, go to: www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/January-30-2009/juvenile-life-without-parole/2081.