TYLERTOWN, MISSISSIPPI WELCOMES JENA 6 SUPPORTERS BACK TO 1957

What Happened to Some on the Way to Jena 6 Rally --READ
This is why we should always be on the road to solve the "Jena Six's" in America. This was forwarded to me. Hope you forward to your friends. Something similar to this has happened to me.

STAND UP!
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I had the pleasure and duty to attend this rally. I hope that we all understand the importance of our attention to the injustices that are at work in our criminal justice system and the nation at large. Some may view the disparate treatment of African-American males as an African-American problem. From unequal treatment in restaurants, to questionable negotiation processes in the financial realm, inappropriate lunch and cocktail hour conversations, to my most recent encounter with our ugly American past this Wednesday night on the way to the rally in Jena, Louisiana... There are many places in America where justice, fairness and equality are not blind. I've been profiled many times before, but this one is worth telling. To the two men that were there with me that night, we became more than friends that night. I'm proud to have been there with them.

TYLERTOWN, MISSISSIPPI WELCOMES JENA 6 SUPPORTERS BACK TO 1957

At approximately 1130 PM, September 19, 2007, my friends (Charles Reeves and Anthony Payne) and I found ourselves on the side of the road outside the town of Tylertown, Mississippi.

After riding for a short while behind the squad car that emerged from the wooded roadside, he pulled behind us and promptly turned on his lights and siren. There was no question that we were driving lawfully, as we were driving on cruise control, five miles under the speed limit.
Ironically, we had chosen to do this to avoid being pulled over on the notorious stretch of Mississippi road known as "Bloody 98". His first question as he approached the car: Do you all have licenses? His second
question: So... Where are ya'll headed? After I responded that we were headed to Vidalia (a town thirty miles from Jena, Louisiana where we had hotel reservations), he continued to ask several questions regarding Vidalia.
Not one related to my registration, driving or a potential traffic violation. But instead:
Officer 1: "So, what are you going to do in Vidalia?"
MTF: "I'm going to Comfort Suites in Vidalia."
Officer 1: "Is that it, just going to a hotel?", "There's nothing to do in Vidalia, is that all you're going there for?", "You have any friends or family there?"
MTF: (cutting him off) "I'm going to a hotel in Vidalia."
Officer 1: "So, really, Vidalia, you going anywhere else?", "Can you step outside to the back of the car please"

The conversation continued at the back of the car. Fog lights blared in my face as I became increasingly angry and antagonistic. My friends are still in the car with fog lights beaming into the back of the car.
After several refused attempts to get me to answer something other than "I'm going to a hotel in Vidalia", he moved to my vehicle.

Officer 1: "So, are you aware that my computer shows that your tag is expired?"
MTF: "No it is not. I have the registration, decals and you're welcome to run it. Do you mind telling me what the problem is?"

Officer 1: "Well, maybe my computer's wrong. But you were swerving back there did you know that?"

MTF: "I don't believe that I was, but I can't say anything about that. Do you want to tell me what the problem is?"

Officer 1: "Ok. Give me a minute. I'm just conducting my investigation."

He returned to his car and came back.

Officer 1: "Do you have any drugs or illegal items in the car?"

MTF: "No, I don't. I don't keep illegal items in my car. I'm an attorney. I don't keep any illegal items on my
person or in my car. I have a bar card if you would like to see that as well"

Officer 1: "Really? What law school did you go to?

MTF: "Howard University School of Law"

Officer 1: "Do you mind if I search your car?"

MTF: "As a matter of fact I do. No you cannot."

At this time another squad car pulls up. Another two officers and a young African-American male in street clothes hops out.
He greets me: "What's up"
My response: SILENCE (In my mind, I'm saying F$%^ you and what's up!)". The irony of that... The unknown "brother", forever known as Travares, smooths me over with "What's up." as his "friends"
proceed to launch a full scale "investigation". There are now three officers, and two people in plain clothes outside of two police cars.
Apparently, all here only to investigate the reason we were traveling to Vidalia. Not a traffic violation, but why we were going to Vidalia.

I turn to the new officer...

MTF: "Look, your officer says my tag showed as expired (although it was pitch black and my year decal is covered with an Omega Psi Phi frame plate) and I was swerving. I have shown him my license, registration,
tag registration and insurance card. I am ready to take any test that you have to give. But first, will you all please tell me what the problem is, because I do not understand."

Officer 2: "Well, where are you guys headed?"

MTF: "Vidalia. Do you have a problem with me going to Vidalia?"

Officer 2: "Hold on. I'm just asking you some questions. Let me talk to your friend. Could you please step to the back of the squad car please?"

He approaches my friend in the front passenger seat and asks him out of the car. He takes him to the other side of the second squad car and performs a search of his person. This officer went as far as to dig into his pockets and around the inside of his waistband.
He questions him:
Officer 2: "So you guys are going to Jena huh?"

AP: "I'm going to Vidalia."

Officer 2: "So, you're just going to Vidalia, when are you leaving?"

AP: "Tomorrow."

Officer 2: "So you're just going to stay there one night and then what?"

AP: "Go home."

Officer 2: "You do know what's going on in Jena right?"

AP: "Yes. I do."

Officer 2: "So you're going to Vidalia, huh"

He then left to go and question the second passenger in the back seat.
Officer 2: "Put your hands on the headrest and don't move them! Where are you headed?"

CR: "Vidalia."

Officer 2: "Where are you coming from?"

CR: "Mobile, Alabama"

Officer 2: "How old are you?"

CR: "32"

Officer two leaves the car.

Officer one returns to me as I'm standing at the back of the squad car.

MTF: "Do you want to tell me what the problem is now?"

Officer 1: "I'm going to ask you again, so you don't want me to search your car."

MTF: "No."

Officer 1: "I'm just curious to know why you won't let me search your car."

MTF: "Because you have neither reasonable suspicion nor probable cause to conduct a search on my car. No, you cannot."

Officer 1: "You have a nice day."

Anthony returned to the car shortly after. We left, and were officially welcomed to the year 1957... For thirty minutes on the side of that rode, we were part of something bigger than a random stop. We were
part of the reason that buildings burned in this country. We were a part of a bigger struggle. We arrived in Jena the next day, as planned. No thanks to the law officers of Tylertown, Mississippi. Imagine how
many others faced similar circumstances while traveling on the 20th of September. Then consider how many go through similar experiences daily.

An attorney, a finance collections manager and a TV productions manager were on the side of a dark Mississippi road in the dead of night surrounded by five suspicious Mississippi law enforcement officers and
the "brother" who will forever be known as "Travares the Traitor". There were weapons shown, shaky hands, and the ominous smell of chewing tobacco. There were fog lights glaring. Our only crime: Being
suspected of driving to participate in a demonstration that has become one of the purest forms of American "free speech". Apparently, it's not free for all. We had nearly a hundred years of experience and life
experience to guide them through what could have been another tragic news story. If one of our youth was in that same predicament, would the outcome have been the same? You be the judge? Is there still work to
be done? Maybe it was all just a coincidence.


Take note. Take heed. When appropriate... Take action. It is real.
God bless everyone who is reading this. This letter was not written in hate or anger, but in concern. I can protect myself, what about those who can't?

Peace. Cause we really need it.

--
I'm immortal...until I die//jw

INJUSTICE = THE JENA SIX ! AND YES! IN AMERICA

The people in Jena are fighting for justice and they need legal and financial help. Since the arrests, a group of family members have been holding well-attended meetings, and have created a defense fund--the Jena 6 Defense Committee. They have received support from the NAACP, the Louisiana ACLU and Friends of Justice.



People interested in supporting can contact:

the Jena 6 Defense Committee, PO Box 2798, Jena, LA 71342 jena6defense@gmail.com;

Friends of Justice, 507 North Donley Avenue, Tulia, TX 79088 http://www.fojtulia.org

or the ACLU of Louisiana, PO Box 56157, New Orleans, LA 70156 http://www.laaclu.org or 417.350.0536.

NowSpeak asks: Who will we be?

nowspeak: October 12th, 2007 9:15 am
at http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/10/12/4488/

Who will we be if the facade will not stand? If by some 9/12 awakening we see for ourselves our inheritance is gone, the Earth made Ground Zero for the flight of human progress, will we be who we were after we’d seen the towers collapse, when we shook off the shock and turned from the rubble to care for the living and restore what remains?

Is that who we’ll be, a people who care?

Or will we respond to the collapse of natural resources like a game of pinata, when by some final whack, the prizes spill out for each one to see that it’s the end of supply and not enough to go around, will we be like the children who abandon the rules to heedlessly rush in, bats flying, some stumbling, all grabbing to get whatever we can?

Is that who we’ll be, each one for their self?

No doubt they must worry, the ones who’ve been winning, whose fortunes are built on controlling resources.

They’ve sold us on progress that padded our comforts and their bottom lines, a facade for real life to buttress their profits and conform us to ways of endless consumption. That false front has limited our view of what’s real all around, interfered with our nature to give of ourselves. By its enticing portrayals, we’re encouraged to sit and just watch as we have these past several years their wars for resources, their degrading of habitat, their impoverishing of masses, their spin for politicians. They foster our lifestyle of borrow and spend, channel mindless diversions that dumb down our thoughts, cheer us up for good times.

They keep playing their games and having their way and growing their profits at our future’s expense. They lie and they cheat and they torture and steal and lead us to believe there’s no other way.

To show us the damage they do for their profit is not in their plan, not allowed on the air, not exposed but kept quiet, denounced as bad science.

Only who will we be as the science comes true and the denial of doubters along with life’s web unravel in the heat? Surely the facade won’t continue to stand as the oil runs out, as the water’s used up, as the needy migrate and our numbers redouble.

Then who will decide how the rest will unfold? Will the markets decide by supply and demand? Will the elite in control, the powerful, the elected, ordain who will have and who will have not?

That’s how our leaders must assume it will be, as after Katrina when they sent in the guard instead of the help. They still seem to think we will riot and loot, take from the wealthy rather than share with each other.

But is that what we’ll do? Or will we surprise them again as we did in New Orleans and not wait for their lead but give of ourselves to ensure no one’s been left without any at all?

Given our selves, the ones that we are, who should decide the way we will be? As the fisheries crash, as the forests are felled, as the species die out, as the ancient ice melts and the sea levels rise, isn’t who we will be who we already are, each one of us caring for more life to come, each one desiring more life for ourselves and our world?

If so, why should we wait for the old lies to end? Behind the towering facade of the so-called good life, doesn’t a better life wait for who we can be?

To be known as we are, for the truth of what matters, can’t we be the ones who decide what comes next, who put down the bats, who turn back the planes? Rather than wait for calamity, can’t we stop following their lead, speak out for more life, come together in ways we’ve already proven we can?

Life is ours for a purpose and not just for the fittest, but to be lived by us each in ways that will lead to more life. To live and live fully, to thrive and to blossom, to bear fruits from our labor and to contribute our best, for such we are here, all as one in life’s purpose, and the Earth now is proof we’ve been lead the wrong way.

FROM SALON.COM

the gist: A cheat sheet for the news.

Bushies Behaving Badly

An illustrated guide to GOP scandals.

By Holly Allen, Christopher Beam, and Torie Bosch
Updated Friday, May 11, 2007, at 12:36 PM ET

For an interactive feature on the recent scandals of the Republican party, click here.

Having a hard time keeping track of all 10,000 GOP scandals? Between fired U.S. attorneys, deleted RNC e-mails, sexually harassed pages, outed CIA agents, and tortured Iraqi prisoners—not to mention the warrantless wiretapping, plum defense contracts, and golf junkets to Scotland—you could be forgiven for losing track of which congressman or Bush administration flunky did which shady thing. Renzi—now, was that the guy with the skeezy land deal? Or the woman Paul Wolfowitz promoted?

We're not saying that Democrats never do anything shady. (Cash-stuffed freezers come to mind.) But as the saying goes, with great power come great opportunities to screw up royally. And if your memory is as hazy as ours, you could probably use a handy refresher.

Boy, al-Zawahiri couldn't have served up Republican talking points better if he was on Grover Norquist's fax distribution list

#2 Al Qaeda Agrees With Republican Talking Points

By: Nicole Belle @ 3:24 PM - PDT [FROM CROOKSANDLIARS]

….Interesting. And this from Brian Ross of ABC News, who reneged on his original claim that there were White House officials in that 14,000 person black book belonging to the DC madam. I'm just sayin'…

Boy, al-Zawahiri couldn't have served up Republican talking points better if he was on Grover Norquist's fax distribution list, could he? And the timing…isn't it amazing how al Qaeda videos seem to come out just when Republican backs are against the wall?

In a new video posted today on the Internet, al Qaeda's number two man, Ayman al Zawahiri, mocks the bill passed by Congress setting a timetable for the pullout of U.S. troops in Iraq.

"This bill will deprive us of the opportunity to destroy the American forces which we have caught in a historic trap," Zawahiri says in answer to a question posed to him an interviewer.

Continuing in the same tone, Zawahiri says, "We ask Allah that they only get out of it after losing 200,000 to 300,000 killed, in order that we give the spillers of blood in Washington and Europe an unforgettable lesson."

Filed Under: Terrorism, Iraq

MSNBC, CNN are now renamed Repug Rehab

At Media Matters they chronicle the lies and misrepresentations of the so-called mainstream media.

If you listen to the reich-wingers, the 'Liberal media' is responsible for all the problems in America.

Well, you can get 'half the truth that's fit to print' at the New York Times , Washington Post or the Los Angeles Times.

You can get skewed and distorted misrepresentations at CNN and MSNBC. These two specialize in trying to prove that they can be as dispicable, right-wing wankers as Fux, Faux, er, um, FOX.

I get truth from [Buzz Flash- , Crooks & Liars , Media Matters , Truth Out! and many others located at Ernie's Gov't/News/Issues page News Section and Opinions section.

Since american media is so distorted I also go abroad, courtesy of the web, to British press such as: B.B.C. , Financial Times (UK) , Guardian (UK) , -Reuters(UK)- and London Times.

[They views expressed in this blog are opinions and NOT statements of fact. However, I trust my opinion more than any 'fact' from fox. cnn or msnbc. - E]