Racist Remark

I just learned that someone wrote the N word on a picture of my hero, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,  in the Law School Library. I will not stand silently and let this pass. Too many times have I seen racist remarks like this and the only correct thing to do is to respond. We need to show that racists are not in charge of our school and we need to put whoever did this on the defensive and let them know that they are in a small dangerous minority. 

I would like to issue a joint statement by all who would help stand up to this latest instance of ignorance. I am including some quotes that I hope will help guide us. I am very upset at the moment, and will need some time to think this through, but I would appreciate your help and guidance.

“Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr. 

 One thing is clear, we must respond.

“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

“One who condones evils is just as guilty as the one who perpetrates it.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

I appreciate your thoughts and insights, as well as your help. Whatever it takes, I will devote my time to ending this racist attack.

 In solidarity,

Reuben

Mothers Day Actions from Amnesty International

Amnesty International Press Release

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Contact: Suzanne Trimel, 212-633-4150, strimel@aiusa.org

Amnesty International Rallying Supporters Nationwide During May, Urging Congress to Act on Growing Maternal Health Care Crisis as New Figures Show Greater Risks Across Income Groups

Public Invited to Join Mother’s Day Card Campaign as United States Falls Behind 49 Other Countries in Rate of Maternal Deaths

(New York) – As new data show American women  in both low- and middle-income areas face greater risks of dying during pregnancy and childbirth, Amnesty International is rallying supporters this Mother’s Day and throughout May to push Congress to act quickly to improve access to care and standards of maternity care.  In a new one-year update to its groundbreaking study, Deadly Delivery: The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the USA, Amnesty International reports women living in low-income areas are twice as likely to die in childbirth while those in middle-income areas face a 58 percent higher risk, compared with women in wealthier areas. 

Amnesty International is inviting the public to get involved in its campaign to save women’s lives by writing special Mother’s Day cards urging Congress to act.  The cards are available at no cost and the organization will collect and distribute them to members of Congress. For details, visit: http://www.amnestyusa.org/mothersday

The urgency to act comes as the United Nations 2011 worldwide rankings for maternal deaths showed the United States slipped to 50^th (from 41^st), meaning giving birth in the United States is more dangerous than in 49 other countries – including nearly all European countries, Canada and several countries in Asia and the Middle East.

Additionally, the United States was one of just 23 countries worldwide where the rate of maternal deaths increased, while rates declined in 147 countries. Despite improvement, the rate of maternal deaths worldwide remains unacceptably high, an indication that government efforts to reverse the trend must be accelerated, Amnesty International said.  Worldwide a woman dies giving birth every 90 seconds.  At least half of these deaths can be prevented.

“As a country, it is simply immoral to accept the fact that income is such a strong determinant in who lives or dies while giving birth,” said Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA.  “This is a human rights scandal. We must do whatever we can to stop women dying needlessly in childbirth.”

Amnesty International’s campaign focuses on passage of the Maternal Health Accountability Act (H.R.894), a bipartisan bill that promises a dramatic step forward to fight serious pregnancy complications and maternal deaths. The bipartisan bill responds to many of the serious concerns raised in Amnesty’s Deadly Delivery report.  A briefing on the bill will take place in Congress on Wednesday, May 11, hosted by Reps. John Conyers (D-MI), the lead sponsor of the legislation. From April 29 to May 8, Amnesty International activists across the country will meet with nearly 100 members of Congress seeking support for the legislation.

The Conyers bill would help establish maternal mortality review committees in every state to examine pregnancy-related deaths and identify ways to reduce deaths.  The legislation would also help eliminate disparities in health care, risks and outcomes, and would improve data collection and research in order to reduce the frequency of severe maternal complications.

Among those speaking at the Capitol Hill briefing will be Amnesty International researcher Nan Strauss, co-author of Deadly Delivery, a representative of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Christy Turlington Burns, the supermodel and director of the documentary film No Woman No Cry, which will be broadcast nationally on Saturday, May 7, on the Oprah Winfrey Network.  To raise awareness during the month of advocacy, Amnesty International activists nationwide will host house parties to watch the film (9:30 p.m. ET), which documents Burns’ journey across four continents – to Tanzania, Bangladesh, Guatemala and to a prenatal clinic in the United States – to portray the powerful stories of women facing life-threatening risks giving birth

In its one-year update to Deadly Delivery, Amnesty International highlights the disturbing fact that women living in the lowest-income areas of the United States are twice as likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth, based on new analysis by the Maternal Child Health Bureau.

The government for the first time linked maternal death data to census figures on income levels

Amnesty International’s Deadly Delivery report consistently found that low-income women faced substantial barriers to obtaining medical care during pregnancy. These barriers went beyond  the financial burden of care, and included: shortages of medical professionals in their areas, particularly specialists; difficulty finding transportation to doctor’s appointments, obtaining child care, and leaving work for appointments.

States with high rates of poverty (18 percent or more of the population living below the poverty line) had maternal mortality rates 77 percent higher than states with fewer residents living below the poverty line. 

More than 4 million women give birth each year in the United States, and the cost totals $98 billion.  Figures reported by the International Federation of Health Plans showed that the United States spends twice as much as any other country surveyed on the fees charged by maternal health care providers.

With the rate of caesarian sections rising for the 13^th consecutive year – to an all-time high of 32.9 percent of all births in 2009 (latest available figures), new analysis shows that states with the highest rates of caesareans had a 21-percent elevated risk of maternal deaths. The World Health Organization recommends that caesarian births account for only 5 to 15 percent of all births.

In its updated report, Amnesty International said that while the sweeping health care reform bill signed into law by President Obama in 2010 begins to address some concerns about access to maternal health care, many “significant gaps and obstacles remain.”

Maternal health is a human right for every woman. Yet the United States lacks a robust government response to this critical problem including the lack of nationally standardized protocols to address the leading causes of death in childbirth – or the inconsistent use of them. In addition, the number of deaths may be significantly understated because there is no federal requirement to report maternal deaths and data collection at the state level is insufficient.

Additional events in the month of action include:

Tuesday, May 3, Houston: panel discussion and poetry reading highlighting the maternal health care crisis in Texas (where rates are worse than the national average) and Harris County (where rates are worse than the state average).

Wednesday, May 4, Chicago: panel discussion and health fair in Englewood, a community in which women are more than 2.5 times more likely to receive no prenatal care than the city average, according to recent Chicago public health department statistics."

Saturday, May 7, Detroit: Day of action at the Eastern Market. Please join us as we sign mother's day card that will make a difference! For more information: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=209506252401438

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

# # #

For more information, please visit: www.amnestyusa.org.

DEATH PENALTY HAS BEEN ABOLISHED IN ILLINOIS!!!

DEATH PENALTY HAS BEEN ABOLISHED IN ILLINOIS!!!

The governor of Illinois has signed a bill that repeals the death penalty from Illinois’ law! He also commuted the death sentences of all 15 prisoners on death row in the state. This is a tremendous moment for human rights and another step forward for abolition! Please help us maximize this moment by doing 2 things:

1) Send the governor and bill sponsors a thank you note by clicking on this simple action:

http://tinyurl.com/5v2mc3y

2) Please write a letter to the editor (LTE) to your local newspaper. This is a great opportunity to advance the national momentum and to bolster efforts in the remaining DP states. AIUSA's LTE writing guide: http://tinyurl.com/dayxgq

LETTER TO THE EDITOR TALKING POINTS:

· Governor Quinn’s signing of this bill and commuting of the remaining death sentences shows great leadership and support for human rights.

· No state has tried harder to fix their death penalty than Illinois, but after 10 years it was finally realized that the death penalty cannot be fixed.

· The danger of executing an innocent person can never be eliminated, and the families of victims will always face years of being dragged through a cruel and grueling   process.

· The death penalty will also always cost more than alternatives.

· My state should learn from Illinois’ experience and not spend any more time using or trying to fix a death penalty system that cannot be fixed.

· We do not need the death penalty and we should follow Illinois’ lead and eliminate it.

Talking Points for non-death penalty states:

· Other states should learn from Illinois’ experience and not spend any more time using or trying to fix a death penalty system that cannot be fixed.

· I am proud that my state is on the right side of history and has abandoned this cruel and archaic practice.

AIUSA’s LTE writing guide:   http://tinyurl.com/dayxgq

Halfway to making the DREAM Act a reality!

Imagine passing the DREAM Act so close to the anniversary of ((°J°))'s death.

In case you did not hear, the House of Representatives passed the DREAM Act last night. Please channel the happiness and positive energy that you are feeling tonight into action tomorrow. Today we had over 40,000 calls in support of the DREAM and although it passed, it was a close margin. We are going to need at least 60 Senators to vote yes tomorrow in the Senate.

Please continue to call the Senate targets at 1-866-587-3023. If that number is busy or no one answers then call the switchboard (202)224-3121. If both numbers are busy please call the targets offices directly:

Stabenow (MI)

202-224-4822

Conrad (ND) 

202-224-2043

McCaskill (MO) 

202-224-6154

Webb (VA) 

202-224-4024

Warner (VA) 

202-224-2023

Landrieu (LA) 

202-224-5824

Pryor (AR) 

202-224-2353

Tester (MT) 

202-224-2644

Hagan (NC) 

202-224-6342

Murkowski (AK)

202-224-6665

Hutchison (TX) 

202-224-5922

Brownback (KS)

202-224-6521

Kirk (IL) 

202-224-2854

Bennett (UT)

202-224-5444

Voinovich (OH)

202-224-3353

Snowe (ME)

202-224-5344

Collins (ME)

202-224-2523

Lemieux (FL) 

202-224-3041

Lugar (IN) 

202-224-4814

Bunning (KY) 

202-224-4343

Dorgan (ND) 

202-224-2551

Thank you for all that you do!

Reuben

Reuben Metreger
Amnesty International Volunteer State Legislative Coordinator (Michigan)

Are you on Facebook? Please join Amnesty International in Michigan!

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

is a global movement of 2.8 million supporters, members and activists in more than 150 countries and territories who campaign to end grave abuses of human rights.  Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.  We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS DREAM ACT DURING LAME-DUCK SESSION

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS DREAM ACT DURING LAME-DUCK SESSION ---- ‘The Country is Shooting Itself in the Foot,’ Asserts Human Rights Organization

Contact: Wende Gozan Brown at 212-633-4247; wgozan@aiusa.org. 

(Washington D.C.) -- Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) today urged the U.S. Congress to pass The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act during the lame-duck session, calling its passage critical to upholding the human rights of undocumented youth who have lived in the United States most of their lives and have a proven track record as conscientious students and members of society. 

In recent weeks, both Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have publicly committed to bringing the DREAM Act up for a vote. The White House also issued a statement declaring, "The President and [Congressional Hispanic Caucus] leaders believe that, before adjourning, Congress should approve the DREAM Act." But many legislators refuse to vote in favor unless there is a significant increase in funding for border enforcement. 

“It is unconscionable that this landmark legislation has not become law in the nine years since it was first introduced,” said Larry Cox, executive director for AIUSA. “While working toward their dreams, thousands of promising young people live in fear of detention and deportation. Most will be excluded from college education because they are denied in-state tuition and scholarships. Not only is the United States trampling their rights by not providing the opportunity to pursue college, the country is shooting itself in the foot as it prevents accomplished young men and women from providing considerable contributions to the country they call home.” 

The DREAM Act would provide conditional legal status to immigrant students if they finish high school and attend college or join the military for two years. It would also allow immigrant students access to higher education by returning to states the authority to determine who qualifies for in-state tuition. Students who complete all requirements will have the opportunity to permanently legalize their immigration status. 

“Until this congressional session, the DREAM Act was a widely supported bipartisan piece of legislation because lawmakers recognized that children should not be punished for the decisions of their parents,” said Sarnata Reynolds, AIUSA’s advocacy and policy director, Refugee and Migrant Rights. “The bill passed the Senate with the support of Republicans and Democrats four times over the last nine years. The United States has long been a champion of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes the right to education, yet the country is undermining this right." 

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.8 million supporters, activists and volunteers who campaign for universal human rights from more than 150 countries. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. 

# # # 

 For more information, please visit www.amnestyusa.org.  

Undocumented Youth Risk Arrest Asking McCain for Opportunity to Serve

Six undocumented youth travel from across America to ask Senator John McCain to co-sponsor the DREAM Act so that they can serve and protect this nation.

November 17^th, Washington D.C. – Today six undocumented youth arrive at their destination in Capitol Hill, the office of Senator John McCain, to once again ask for his support of the DREAM Act.

The DREAM Act is a bi-partisan piece of legislation that would grant conditional status to undocumented youth who complete at least a 2-year college degree or enlist to serve in the military.  The bill currently has 40 co-sponsors in the Senate, including Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), and 133 in the House.

One of the youth, Guillermo says he came to McCain’s office today because he looks up to the Senator: “Not too long ago, Senator McCain was a champion, he supported and rallied for us.  I look up to him as a war hero and are only asking from him to give me the same opportunity he had to serve and protect this nation, I want to be Marine.”

"We risk it all because young people like ourselves love this country and can no longer wait on the side lines, we want to serve our communities." says Gaby Pacheco, a DREAM Act student who participated in the Trail of Dreams a 1,500 mile walk from Miami to Washington D.C. to show the face of immigrants across the nation.

“I am queer, I am undocumented and I am unafraid.  Today I am in our nation’s capitol asking Senator John McCain to take a stance in support of the DREAM Act, to support those of us who want to be educators or those of us who are willing to die for this nation.” Jorge Gutierrez is one of the five main characters in the documentary film “Papers: Stories of Undocumented Youth.” The film has been viewed by over 100,000 people in all 50 states. It chronicles the challenges undocumented youth face as they turn 18 without legal status. www.papersthemovie.com

In recent days an effort has been made by many Republicans to push for the only immigration legislation which has a chance of passing during the lame duck session. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart recently stated: “We should stop hampering these deserving students’ educational opportunities due to the decisions of their parents and allow a vote on the American DREAM Act.”

In a September letter to Senator McCain Secretary of Defense Robert Gates wrote: “I support this initiative and appreciate your continued efforts to bring about this important policy change.” With the same hope, these students now approach Senator McCain asking for his support for the passage of this bill this session.

The six students will be arriving at McCain’s office around noon and plan to stay until Senator John McCain puts forth his support of the DREAM Act.

about faith

I always knew that there was more than one right way to be good. I always believed that more than one religion could be correct. Being born to a Jewish father and a Christian mother I could not accept that half of my family was going to hell, or even that half was on the wrong path, while the other half was secured a place in paradise merely for picking the right faith.


Even as a child I knew that if Jesus is the son of GOD, and all that is right and good in the world, then he could not possibly condemn half of my family and all of my friends that were not born into the same religion that I was, to an afterlife of torture and misery.


If heaven is a paradise for the faithful, a reward for living a good life and helping others, then how could it be absent atheists, Muslims, Jewish, Hindus, Buddhists, Pagans etc... Even when I was little I knew that this could not be correct, because heaven just could not be a real reward if it was absent the people that I loved and cared about.


This is when I developed my Jesus is a teddy-bear philosophy. I decided that if Jesus was really the son of GOD, full of love and everything good as I had been taught, then surely he would forgive everyone, and heaven would be filled with all people, not just Christians. I imagined that when a person died they would learn the truth about GOD and faith. I pictured people of all faiths, or even without faith, going to heaven to meet Jesus and learning the truth that there is more than one path to goodness. For me the path was through Jesus, but I imagined that Jesus would appear different to people that believed different things. To some I imagined Jesus would resemble a large fluffy teddy-bear that would merely hug them and offer love, comfort, and forgiveness.


After all, if you are dead and your life on Earth is over, then surely you no longer need to worry about who was right and who was wrong. Surely you would be forgiven your faults and shown a better way. The afterlife would surely be more than just the answer to questions of faith, but also the solution to all of our problems. There could be no conflicts in heaven. Surely Jesus did not need to prove to you that he was right by condemning you for being wrong. That would not be perfection, that would just be petty.


As an adult I found Unitarian Universalism. UU's believe in:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth;
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process;
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part;
• Belief that Jesus is a teddy-bear.

OK I threw in the last line. UUs do not tell you what to believe, but you can see how it fits.

To me, heaven on Earth is working for justice and equality for everyone. It is what drives me and what I feel called to do. It is what led me to law school, Amnesty International, and social justice.