After 16 Years Behind Bars for an $11 Robbery, the Scott Sisters Will Be Free at Last | Mother Jones

After 16 Years Behind Bars for an $11 Robbery, the Scott Sisters Will Be Free at Last | Mother Jones

The following announcement was issued today by Haley Barbour, Governor of Mississippi, regarding Jamie and Gladys Scott. Mother Jones was among the first non-local media sources to report on the Scott sisters case, back in March. (The story was later covered by the AP, New York Times, and others.) The full story of their arrest and incarceration, and Jamie Scott's struggle to stay alive in prison, can be found here, with follow-ups here and here.

Dec. 29, 2010

GOV. BARBOUR’S STATEMENT REGARDING RELEASE OF SCOTT SISTERS

"Today, I have issued two orders indefinitely suspending the sentences of Jamie and Gladys Scott. In 1994, a Scott County jury convicted the sisters of armed robbery and imposed two life sentences for the crime. Their convictions and their sentences were affirmed by the Mississippi Court of Appeals in 1996.

"To date, the sisters have served 16 years of their sentences and are eligible for parole in 2014. Jamie Scott requires regular dialysis, and her sister has offered to donate one of her kidneys to her. The Mississippi Department of Corrections believes the sisters no longer pose a threat to society. Their incarceration is no longer necessary for public safety or rehabilitation, and Jamie Scott's medical condition creates a substantial cost to the State of Mississippi.

"The Mississippi Parole Board reviewed the sisters' request for a pardon and recommended that I neither pardon them, nor commute their sentence. At my request, the Parole Board subsequently reviewed whether the sisters should be granted an indefinite suspension of sentence, which is tantamount to parole, and have concurred with my decision to suspend their sentences indefinitely.

"Gladys Scott's release is conditioned on her donating one of her kidneys to her sister, a procedure which should be scheduled with urgency. The release date for Jamie and Gladys Scott is a matter for the Department of Corrections.

"I would like to thank Representative George Flaggs, Senator John Horne, Senator Willie Simmons, and Representative Credell Calhoun for their leadership on this issue. These legislators, along with former Mayor Charles Evers, have been in regular contact with me and my staff while the sisters' petition has been under review."

Missing Black Women Alert: Phylicia Barnes is missing

Phylicia Barnes is missing! 16 year old Phylicia Barnes has gone missing while visiting friends in Baltimore. Read more here: http://aareports.com/p/missing-black-women.html

Leading conservatives call for Obama to back terrorist group | Raw Story

Leading conservatives call for Obama to back terrorist group | Raw Story

A group of prominent Republicans may have actually committed a crime
last month when they traveled to Paris to speak to an Iranian opposition
group that the US has deemed to be terrorists.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Homeland Security
Secretary Tom Ridge, former national security adviser Fran Townsend and
former Attorney General Michael Mukasey all attended a forum organized by supporters of Mujaheddin-e Khalq (MEK).

The MEK is a communist group that helped Saddam Hussein
carry out attacks against Iraq's Shiite population in the 1990s. The
group attacked Americans in Iran in the 1980s and helped with the 1979
takeover of the US embassy in Tehran.

The US designated the MEK a foreign terrorist organization in January 2009.

Do we need a body count to count?: Notes on the serial murders of Black women « The Crunk Feminist Collective

Do we need a body count to count?: Notes on the serial murders of Black women « The Crunk Feminist Collective: "Do we need a body count to count?: Notes on the serial murders of Black women23

Dec
“Number 47 looks like my second-grade teacher. Number 83 resembles one of my daughters. Number 66 calls to mind my children’s grandmother. And although some faces were cropped from near-naked bodies, others were shot outdoors, wearing boots and jackets,” said LA Times Reporter, Sandy Banks, commenting on photos of unidentified Black females."

McCain involved in brutal genocide against Navajos

McCain Land Deals, Part 1

Lakota deserve apology for Wounded Knee, 120 Years Ago | The Progressive

Lakota deserve apology for Wounded Knee, 120 Years Ago | The Progressive

The 120th anniversary of the Wounded Knee Massacre should serve as a reminder of the U.S. government’s brutal war on American Indians.

On the morning of Dec. 29, 1890, the U.S. 7th Calvary attacked a Lakota community camped along Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. Soldiers indiscriminately shot the Lakota, killing at least 150. Most of them were women and children. About 30 soldiers also died, some from friendly fire.

Many historians consider this bloodbath to be the sad endpoint of the Indian Wars. To make way for the white conquest of the West, the U.S. army subjugated the Indian nations, and Congress forced them into giving up most of their lands through coerced treaties. But America’s failure to live up to its end of the bargain— food, clothing and other provisions — led to great Indian unrest.

My Thoughts on "What Chilli Wants" (Season 2)

R.I.P.: Teena Marie Fire& Desire LIVE

Rick James & Teena Marie - Fire and Desire

'Ivory Queen of Soul' Teena Marie Dies at 54

Teena Marie, RIP

One of my favorite singers, Lady T, has died.  May she rests in peace.

Angry White Men… or is it Black Women? « Guy White: Making Sense On Race

Angry White Men… or is it Black Women? « Guy White: Making Sense On Race: "Angry White Men… or is it Black Women?
By Guy White

One of the claims repeated by the Left, especially in universities, is the anger of the white men over losing white women to blacks.
I’ve mentioned before that the quality of women who date blacks isn’t particularly high. Other than an occasional hippy trying to upset her parents, these normally are women who are very low-class or not physically desirable. (Lisa Lamponelli: “As you know, I date blacks. Not by choice, I just haven’t lost enough weight to get a white guy.”)"