Along the Graybeard Trail

February 19, 2012 · 10:43 pm

Khader Adnan, Bobby Sands, Hunger Strike

Check out this music video: Khader Adnan, Bobby Sands. Thanks to Sami Awad and Dottie Villesvik for calling it to my attention.

It addresses a situation – an event – a moment – a witness that weighs on me, in large part because I am so late : Khader Adnan has entered the 64th day of a hunger strike. Doctors say he is at immediate risk of death.

His hunger strike began in mid-December when he was arrested by Israeli forces at his West Bank home. The BBC notes that: “The 33-year-old baker is being held under what Israeli law calls administrative detention, meaning he can be held without trial or charges indefinitely if he is deemed to be a security threat. Israel says he is a security threat. Its high court of justice has scheduled a petitions hearing regarding the case for Thursday.” Reports are that he is member of Islamic Jihad, which Israel and others name as a terrorist group.

Khader Adnan’s situation and response call to mind the 1981 hunger strike in Northern Ireland. Bobby Sands started first and died after 66 days. Nine others followed.

The parallels haunt me. I struggle to understand and express my thoughts and feelings. This song does so far better than I am able to do at the moment:

Khader Adnan grew up near Jenin City
You could say he was a product of his time
…

Because you can’t break a man who won’t be broken
Like in Belfast not many years ago

See you along the Trail.

Raymond McCartney, former Irish hunger striker in message of support to Khader Adnan (alethonews.wordpress.com)
Khader Adnan: The West Bank’s Bobby Sands (independent.co.uk)

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Filed under Human Rights

Tagged as Belfast, Israel, Jenin, Khader Adnan, Northern Ireland, occupied Palestine territory, Palestinian, West Bank

February 19, 2012 · 2:35 pm

U is for Ultimate

At meal time,
and many other times,
an Ultimate player
can find a game
with a view
outside the Ghost Ranch Dining Hall.

9 August 2008

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Filed under Ghost Ranch People, Photo

Tagged as game, Ghost Ranch, Ghost Ranch Dining Hall, Pedernal, Ultimate Frisbee

February 18, 2012 · 10:22 am

T is for Teamwork

From the permanent staff
to
the class leaders and members
to
the college staff
to
the Service Corps
to
the planning team for the 2011 Peacemaking Seminar,
teamwork and cooperation are hallmarks
of the Ghost Ranch experience.

So are smiles!

24 September 2011

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Tagged as 2011 Peacemaking Seminar, cooperation, Ghost Ranch College Staff, Ghost Ranch Service Corps, teamwork

February 16, 2012 · 10:45 pm

The People v. the State

In my musings on the death penalty, I have often used the expression: “the State of X will execute Y” at such a time. Tonight, I took a few moments to explore the People of Faith against the Death Penalty Website.

On their list of upcoming executions, they use the word “people” in place of the word “State.”

The word “State” works on some levels – the State establishes and enforces the laws. The State conducts the trial. The State maintains the prisons where those awaiting execution and held and then put to death.

But – in a democracy, laying aside for a moment the serious conversations that need to take place about the nature and reality of democracy in our country – in a democracy, the line between people and State blurs. As far as I can tell, PFDAP always uses the construction, “the people of State X.” I have pondered the words since. That plays effectively on that blurred line.

One of my prime objections to the death penalty is that when the State kills, it does so in the name of its citizens. It does so in the name of the people it represents. It does so in my name.

Saying, as PFADP does, “Person X is scheduled to be killed by the people of State Y for and the crime is named and the person against whom the crime is committed is named,” reminds me of that reality. When the State kills, it kills in my name. It becomes tricky in the United States where individual States execute. If I live in State Y, what responsibility do I have for what happens in State Z? A good question. But we are bound together.

Much to ponder. More pondering lies ahead.

See you along the Trail.

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Filed under Capital Punishment, Death Penalty

Tagged as capital punishment, death penalty, Democracy, execution, people, People of Faith against the Death Penalty, state

February 15, 2012 · 10:57 pm

Two executions pend in Texas

Two executions may take place in Texas before the month ends.

On February 28, 2012, Anthony Bartee may be put to death by the State of Texas. Execution Watch reports that Bartee insists that two others committed the 1996 robbery-murder of David Cook, his San Antonio neighbor. They note that “at the time of the killing, Bartee was on parole for two aggravated rape convictions.”

The Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty raises a number of concerns:

even though the Bexar County Criminal Investigation Laboratory still has not tested pieces of DNA evidence that were collected from the crime scene. Even after being ordered to test this evidence by Trial Judge Mary Román, neither the Bexar County crime lab nor the DPS lab in Austin have performed the ordered tests on all available evidence. Bartee was convicted of the 1996 murder of his friend David Cook in San Antonio. He has consistently maintained that although he was present at the house, he did not kill Cook.

They provide background and talking points for letters to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and Governor Rick Perry.

The following day, February 29, 2012, the execution of George Rivas is scheduled. Again from Execution Watch:

Described by police as the mastermind of a seven-man escape in 2000 from a state prison in South Texas, Rivas was condemned after claiming sole responsibility for the shooting death of a police officer in suburban Dallas during a robbery the group pulled.

The Texas Seven as they are known, escaped in December 2000. They stole the workers’ clothes, broke into the prison armory to get guns and drove away in a prison truck. They robbed two Houston-area stores. On Christmas Eve, 2000, police officer Aubrey Hawkins responded to a call about a robbery. The group ambushed Officer Hawkins as he did his duty.

One of the group, Larry James Harper committed suicide when authorities captured the group. The state of Texas executed Michael Anthony Rodriguez in 2008. The Supreme Court stayed the execution of a second group member in January of this year.

I have not been able to find a place to do advocacy on his behalf. I assume the addresses of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and Governor Rick Perry would work for letters. Rivas’ number appears to be #999394.

Different cases. Each raises issues about our criminal justice system. But in neither case is execution the answer.

See you along the Trail.

A reprieve in Texas (graybeardtrail.wordpress.com)
Texas executions threatened as stocks of death penalty drug run low (guardian.co.uk)

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Filed under Capital Punishment, Death Penalty

Tagged as Aubrey Hawkins, capital punishment, Texas, Texas Seven

February 15, 2012 · 9:47 pm

Execution in Florida

An execution took place in Florida today.

Debbie Kammerer was brutally beaten, raped and killed 32 years ago in St. Petersburg. Robert Waterhouse was convicted of the crime. He had previously been convicted of raping and strangling a 77-year-old woman in New York in 1966. I have not been able to find her name in any of the postings. He served eight years behind bars before being paroled for that conviction.

Today, the state of Florida executed Robert Waterhouse. He maintained his innocence in relation to the murder of Debbie Kammerer as recently as 1995. Through the years the courts disagreed.

Nothing can justify these crimes. I grieve for the unnamed victim and for Debbie Kammerer. I grieve for those who love them. I wonder at the system that allowed his parole.

Yet for all that, I cannot condone his execution. Violence feeds violence. There has to be another way.

See you along the Trail.

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Filed under Capital Punishment, Death Penalty

Tagged as capital punishment, death penalty, Debbie Kammerer, execution, Florida, Robert Waterhouse

February 15, 2012 · 9:21 pm

A bit of love

Be like the old fool here. Grab yourself a bit of love and wait for Armageddon.

Connie Sachs, Smiley’s People

Intriguing advice for Valentine’s Day.

While waiting to see the new version of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, I decided to go back to the past and revisit Alec Guiness‘ take on George Smiley. I added the two series to my Netflix queue.

Smiley’s People arrived first. Episodes One through Four filled last evening. Tonight brings the conclusion: Episodes Five and Six. It does not disappoint: a great story, well done with a fine cast leads to fine entertainment.

As he tracks Karla down, Smiley interacts with many of his past associates. He visits Connie Sachs, played by Beryl Reid in a Bafta TV Award winning performance, famed in the Circus for her memory.

Sachs and Smiley spar as he seeks to learn what she remembers. At one point in the conversation, she encourages him to give up the pursuit and: “Be like the old fool here. Grab yourself a bit of love and wait for Armageddon.”

It remains unclear how seriously she means that advice. She does not take it herself: she does not simply wait, but she engages in the hunt as she combs her memory for the bits of information that might help Smiley.

Perhaps it work in part – when we find love – or when love finds us – in whatever form that love comes – taking hold as well as we are able.

May it be so for all people.

See you along the Trail.

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Filed under Books, Movie

Tagged as Alec Guinness, Beryl Reid, Connie Sachs, George Smiley, John Le Carre, love, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

February 13, 2012 · 10:20 pm

Waiting, wondering

Hines Ward (Photo credit: LZ Creations)

The waiting, the wondering began in the middle of last season.

His infectious smile and aggressive style won me over long ago. Not the prototype wide receiver, he parlayed an incredible work ethic into a starter’s role. Once there, his willingness to block set him apart. He set the standard for a blocking wide receiver. Blessed with good hands, he played long enough to set Pittsburgh Steelers career records for receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs. He served as a mentor to others who came along to wear the black and gold.

As the 2011 season progressed, Hines Ward‘s role diminished. Younger, swifter receivers found the ball spiraling into their hands. Waiting, wondering. Had the end arrived? Late in the year, the Steelers worked hm into the lineup often enough to catch his 1,000th pass in the last game. Waiting, wondering.

The season ended with a bitter disappointment in a playoff game with Denver. The waiting, the wondering continued. Will Pittsburgh re-sign Hines Ward?

He has stated publicly that he wants to retire as a Steeler. He has stated publicly that he wants to play at least one more year. Those two propositions may not come together even though he has also stated publicly that he will take a pay cut to make it happen.

Ward has two years remaining on his contract. The Steelers owe him a roster bonus in the near future. That means the waiting cannot last too long.

On Saturday a report appeared that the Steelers had reached the decision not to keep Hines Ward. The report came from NFL.com. The Steelers and Ward himself report have made no decision one way or the other.

Should he stay, Ward would likely be the fourth receiver on the depth chart, perhaps even the fifth receiver. His playing time would diminish; he might even be inactive at times. But he would bring his incredible presence to the locker room. A difficult decision lies ahead. Imagining the Steelers without Hines Ward or imagining that smile encased in a helmet colored other than black and gold makes my stomach hurt.

I am but a fan. My waiting and wondering cannot match that of Hines Ward and the Steelers organization.

I am but a fan. Football is only a game. In this world, my sisters and brothers wait wonder about the source of their next meal; or if their child will make it safely home; or if they will make it through the checkpoint without being harassed and abused; or if this will finally be the interview where they receive the offer of a job; or if the doctor will say “cancer” or “AIDS” or whatever word holds fear; or if the armed marauders will come over the hill to kill or rape. My waiting and wondering pales beside matters of real concern.

I know all that. I admit it freely.

But I am a fan.

So I wait and wonder.

See you along the Trail.

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Filed under Football

February 11, 2012 · 11:37 am

What is the most depressing movie you have ever seen?

What is the most depressing movie you have ever seen? I posed that question on Facebook yesterday.

I watched Hamlet the other day – the Kenneth Branagh version. Actually I re-watched it for at least the third or fourth time.

In the viewing, I found that for all the elaborate visuals, the costumes, the strong performances, and the interesting casting selections (Jack Lemmon comes to mind), the basic story remains somewhat depressing. Powerful. Compelling. Amazing. All that to be sure. Yet the word depressing also springs to mind. It seems a hard to word to avoid when most of the major characters die along the way and corpses litter the last scene. Perhaps Fortinbras and the Norwegians see the tale of death as a happy tragedy.