John W Suthers: Release Rene Lima-Marin

Jasmine Lima-Marin
Aurora, Colorado

My husband Rene Michael Lima-Marin was incarcerated in 1998 at the age of 19 and served 10 years of his 16 year sentence for robbery in which he used an unloaded gun and no one was hurt. He was released in 2008 and placed on parole which he successfully completed in 2013. But in January 2014 it was determined that a clerical error had been made and he was sent back to prison for an additional 90 years.

During his six years of freedom, Rene strived to be a productive member of society. He had been rehabilitated and took full advantage of this second chance; we had a child, purchased a home, and got married. He coached his step-son’s soccer team, mentored other youth to stay out of trouble, and maintained full time employment so he could support our family.

To take him away from our family and lock him up for the rest of his life is unjust.

I certainly do not want to make light of the mistakes that Rene made as a teenager but I do call into question the life sentence Rene and our family faces. Does a man that was formally released from the penal system, met all the conditions of this release, and turned his life around deserve this type of justice? Are we as a society really willing to accept that a clerical error is enough justification to rip apart a family?

Rehabilitate means to help re-adapt, as to a former state of health or good repute. The entire penal system was created to rehabilitate and restore individuals to be productive members of society.

Please sign my petition asking Attorney General John Suthers, Arapahoe County Chief Judge William Blair Sylvester, and Colorado Appeals Chief Judge Alan Loeb to release Rene from this unjust sentencing. I ask for this so he may return home where he can continue to be a tax paying model employee, an engaged and loving father and a supportive husband.

Sign Jasmine’s Petition

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

New Home = New Coverage

07/08/2014 Nativegrl77

Dept. of Health & Human Services

Have you moved recently? Even though open enrollment is over, you may still have options to get health coverage for 2014 through a Special Enrollment Period. Certain life events, like changing your place of residence, make you eligible to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Take this short survey – and you’ll be a few clicks away from seeing if you can get 2014 health coverage.

Have a friend or family member who has moved, gotten married, or had a baby? Those are just some of the qualifying life events that make them eligible to enroll. Make sure they know – take a minute to share this message with them:

SHARE THIS

New Address, New Coverage. HealthCare.gov.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Temple University: The best research money can buy

07/08/2014 Nativegrl77

Temple’s study gives private prisons cover to keep harming our communities.

Tell Temple University Pres. Theobald to investigate now:

Two Temple University professors released an inaccurate study praising private prisons without revealing a major conflict of interest — private prisons funded the study.¹ Unsurprisingly, the research argued in favor of for-profit imprisonment based on a number of dangerous myths — exactly the kind of inaccuracies that give the industry cover to keep exploiting Black communities for profit.

Private prisons are making a killing off the anti-black racism, abuse, and inhumanity of mass incarceration. In order to stop this shameful industry, we must expose any attempts to bolster its credibility among the public and state officials. Temple has agreed to look into a pending ethics complaint against the study, but it’s been a year and still no investigation.

Tell Temple President Neil Theobald to thoroughly investigate the pending ethics complaint, hold the authors of the study accountable, and create a new policy requiring researchers to reveal corporate funding at all stages of the research publication process. It just takes a moment.

Temple’s study was funded by the nation’s top three private prison companies: Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), GEO Group, and Management Training Corp (MTC). When initially released, Professors Simon Hakim and Erwin Blackstone included no information on its private prison funding.² It was only after advocates filed an ethics complaint that the professors were forced to reveal their funding sources,³ but the damage had already been done. Public opinion had been influenced by a number of editorials by Professors Hakim and Blackstone published in newspapers nationwide, most of which did not mention their private prison funding.⁴

CCA, the country’s largest private prison company, was established after its founders decided managing prisons was just like “selling cars, or real estate, or hamburgers.”⁵ Since then, the industry has exploded, with the number of people in private prisons increasing by 1,664%.⁶ These corrupt companies have played a key role in lobbying for policies that increase imprisonment and worsen today’s mass incarceration crisis, fueled by the discriminatory War On Drugs.⁷ Due to continued prejudice in the justice system, Black people are the most likely to be incarcerated for profit in abusive private prisons.⁸ In order to increase profits, for-profit prisons cut costs on key services — meaning lower staffing levels, less training for guards, abysmal health care, and increased rates of violence.⁹

The Temple Study is dishonest and filled with inaccuracies, which the private prison industry leverages to deflect public outrage around its unethical business practices and human rights violations. Both CCA and GEO Group reference the Temple study in promotional materials as “independent” confirmation of the benefits of private prisons.¹⁰ A recent letter published by the ACLU reveals that Hakim and Blackstone’s methodology is deeply flawed.¹¹ Their claims that private prison save states money fail to take into account increased state costs associated with higher recidivism rates found at private prisons, and the fact that companies get to “cherry pick” who they lock up — allowing them to choose healthier, less costly, people.

Temple University has an obligation to enforce its ethics policies and prevent corporations from funding “independent” research in secret. Please ask your friends and family to join in order to increase the power of our voices.

Thanks and Peace,

—Matt, Rashad, Arisha, Lyla, Jamar and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
July 7th, 2014

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way.

References

1. “University to review ethics complaint regarding two professors,” The Temple News, 06-13-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3577?t=7&akid=3454.1174326.osp1U6

2. “PLN managing editor’s Temple University ethics complaint profiled,” Prison Legal News, 06-11-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3578?t=9&akid=3454.1174326.osp1U6

3. “Ethics Complaint vs. Professors Hakim and Blackstone,” Human Rights Defense Center, 06-25-2013
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3632?t=11&akid=3454.1174326.osp1U6

4. See reference 2.

5. “The Dirty Thirty: Nothing to Celebrate About 30 Years of Corrections Corporation of America,” Grassroots Leadership, 01-30-2013
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3579?t=13&akid=3454.1174326.osp1U6

6.”The Number of People in Private Prisons Has Grown By 1,664% in the Last 19 Years,” Policy Mic, 01-25-2013
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3580?t=15&akid=3454.1174326.osp1U6

7. “Private Prison Companies Want You Locked Up,” Justice Policy, 06-22-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3581?t=17&akid=3454.1174326.osp1U6

8. “Too Good to be True: Private Prisons in America,” Sentencing Project, 01-2012
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2921?t=19&akid=3454.1174326.osp1U6

9. “The Color of Corporate Corrections, Part II: Contractual Exemptions and the Overrepresentation of People of Color in Private Prisons,” Journal of Radical Criminology, 09-2013
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3582?t=21&akid=3454.1174326.osp1U6

10. “The Case For Private Prisons,” Politico, 02-28-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3625?t=23&akid=3454.1174326.osp1U6

11. “An Open Letter to the Corrections Corporation of America,” ACLU 07-1-2014
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3624?t=25&akid=3454.1174326.osp1U6

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 7/8 the House

07/08/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, July 8,

under the provisions of S.Res.496, as a further mark of respect for the late Senator Alan Dixon, from the State of Illinois.

Following any leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business for 1 hour. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes and the Republicans will control the final 30 minutes. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.2363, the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act, post-cloture. Time during the adjournment, recess, and morning business will count post-cloture.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

The Senate has reached an agreement that at 12:00 pm, tomorrow, Wednesday, July 9, 2014, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session and consider Calendar #’S.906 (Castro), 797 (Vetter), 904 (Adams). There be 2 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form on each nomination. Upon the use or yielding back of time the Senate proceed to vote, without intervening action or debate, on the nominations in the order listed. All roll call votes after the first will be 10 minutes in length. We expect a roll call vote on confirmation of the Castro nomination and voice votes on the Vetter and Adams nominations.

12:00 noon: at least 1 roll call vote

Executive Calendar #906, Julian, Castro, of Texas, to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (roll call vote expected)
Executive Calendar #797, Darci L. Vetter, of Nebraska, to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador (voice vote expected)
Executive Calendar ##904 William D. Adams, of Maine to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities for a term of four years (voice vote expected)
Motion to proceed to S.2363, the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act (voice vote expected)

WRAP UP

No Roll Call Votes

Legislative items

Cal. # 440, S.Res.447, a resolution recognizing the threats to freedom of the press and expression around the world and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority in the efforts of the United States Government to promote democracy and good governance, with committee-reported amendments to the resolution and preamble

No Additional Executive items

===========================================

Last Floor Action:
9:03:43 P.M. – The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 9, 2014.

Last Floor Action:
12:19:26 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

Last Floor Action:
1:02:55 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to sec. 3(b) of H. Res. 641.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 8, 2014.

12:00:08 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:18 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:27 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:19:26 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:01 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 8.
2:00:07 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:41 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:01:44 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Foxx to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:08 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:09:30 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 3:30 P.M. today.
3:31:30 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 8.
3:31:51 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
3:32:06 P.M.	H.R. 1528	Mr. Pitts moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1528 — “To amend the Controlled Substances Act to allow a veterinarian to transport and dispense controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice outside of the registered location.”
3:32:48 P.M.	H.R. 1528	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:32:51 P.M.	H.R. 1528	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1528.
3:43:37 P.M.	H.R. 1528	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:44:33 P.M.	H.R. 4653	Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 4653 — “To reauthorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, and for other purposes.”
3:44:46 P.M.	H.R. 4653	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:44:48 P.M.	H.R. 4653	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4653.
4:04:47 P.M.	H.R. 4653	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:05:02 P.M.	H. Res. 588	Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended. H. Res. 588 — “Concerning the suspension of exit permit issuance by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo for adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents.”
4:05:11 P.M.	H. Res. 588	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:05:12 P.M.	H. Res. 588	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 588.
4:14:47 P.M.	H. Res. 588	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:15:00 P.M.	H. Res. 588	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
4:15:44 P.M.	H.R. 3488	Mr. Meehan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3488 — “To establish the conditions under which the Secretary of Homeland Security may establish preclearance facilities, conduct preclearance operations, and provide customs services outside the United States, and for other purposes.”
4:15:59 P.M.	H.R. 3488	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:16:00 P.M.	H.R. 3488	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3488.
4:36:05 P.M.	H.R. 3488	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:36:18 P.M.	H.R. 4007	Mr. Meehan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 4007 — “To recodify and reauthorize the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program.”
4:37:00 P.M.	H.R. 4007	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:37:03 P.M.	H.R. 4007	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4007.
5:09:40 P.M.	H.R. 4007	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:09:47 P.M.	H.R. 4263	Mrs. Brooks (IN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 4263 — “To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to establish a social media working group, and for other purposes.”
5:10:18 P.M.	H.R. 4263	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:10:20 P.M.	H.R. 4263	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4263.
5:19:09 P.M.	H.R. 4263	the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
5:19:32 P.M.	H.R. 4289	Mrs. Brooks (IN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 4289 — “To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.”
5:19:49 P.M.	H.R. 4289	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:20:01 P.M.	H.R. 4289	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4289.
5:32:28 P.M.	H.R. 4289	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
5:34:46 P.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice stating that an Executive Order has been issued amending the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13413 of October 27, 2006, with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-128).
5:36:56 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

6:30:18 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 8.
6:30:24 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:31:09 P.M.	H.R. 4263	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4263 — “To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to establish a social media working group, and for other purposes.”
6:58:36 P.M.	H.R. 4263	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 375 – 19 (Roll no. 369).
6:58:54 P.M.	H.R. 4289	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4289 — “To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.”
7:05:40 P.M.	H.R. 4289	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 393 – 0 (Roll no. 370).
7:08:24 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:19:56 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
9:03:30 P.M.		Mr. Garamendi moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:03:42 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:03:43 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 9, 2014.