Comments for Tikkun Magazine http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen A Jewish Magazine, an Interfaith movement Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:28:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Comment on A Restorative Circle in the Wake of a Police Shooting by Sara Davies http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/a-restorative-circle-in-the-wake-of-a-police-shooting#comment-25303 Sara Davies Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:28:40 +0000 http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/?p=8118#comment-25303 I appreciate the sensitivity and respect with which this article addresses a horrific incident - it shows a restraint I find it difficult to muster on the subject. The point is not whether John T. Williams was drunk OR carrying a knife, but that the officer who shot him did so not once but FOUR TIMES within SECONDS of confronting him, virtually with no warning (and Williams was either hard of hearing or completely deaf.) He got out of his car and aggressively moved toward Williams, which doesn't seem like the behavior of someone who is frightened. I have also seen police stop people on the street and search them for no apparent reason other than that they were Walking While Black. The DOJ investigated the SPD, and they are also under investigation by a local news station which has uncovered the fact that the department has "lost" tens of thousands of arrest videos which might prove inappropriate conduct by officers and/or exonerate those arrested. This, coupled with a pervasive attitude of reflexive "law & order" cheerleading for police and the demonization of anyone who doesn't fit the white, Christian, middle-class profile encourages an environment in which it is difficult to have any faith or trust in the police department or the justice system. My guess is that the meetings described above were a public relations project that is no more than cosmetic. These problems will not go away by themselves. I appreciate the sensitivity and respect with which this article addresses a horrific incident – it shows a restraint I find it difficult to muster on the subject.

The point is not whether John T. Williams was drunk OR carrying a knife, but that the officer who shot him did so not once but FOUR TIMES within SECONDS of confronting him, virtually with no warning (and Williams was either hard of hearing or completely deaf.) He got out of his car and aggressively moved toward Williams, which doesn’t seem like the behavior of someone who is frightened.

I have also seen police stop people on the street and search them for no apparent reason other than that they were Walking While Black.

The DOJ investigated the SPD, and they are also under investigation by a local news station which has uncovered the fact that the department has “lost” tens of thousands of arrest videos which might prove inappropriate conduct by officers and/or exonerate those arrested. This, coupled with a pervasive attitude of reflexive “law & order” cheerleading for police and the demonization of anyone who doesn’t fit the white, Christian, middle-class profile encourages an environment in which it is difficult to have any faith or trust in the police department or the justice system.

My guess is that the meetings described above were a public relations project that is no more than cosmetic. These problems will not go away by themselves.

]]> Comment on Learning from Rwanda by Jim Harriff http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/learning-from-rwanda#comment-25270 Jim Harriff Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:20:28 +0000 http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/?p=8163#comment-25270 While Ms. Garrison raises important issues for consideration regarding the history of the Rwandan genocide, these issues take nothing away from the core message of Dr. Stanfield. The success of the grass roots 'Gacaca' justice practiced by communities throughout Rwanda serves as a powerful model for what Dr. Stanfield calls 'restorative justice'. Having worked with healing and reconciliation ministries in Rwanda since 2005, my wife and I concur that this is a model that has powerful implication for how we address race relations in the United States. Thank you Dr. Stanfield for holding up this model as a new direction for public policy. I would suggest in addition that we work to build a network of restorative justice; teaching the principles reconciliation in local communities, schools and networks. The greatest success we have seen in Rwanda is not government programs, but the powerful impact of committed individuals determined to do what is necessary to live together in harmony as neighbors. While Ms. Garrison raises important issues for consideration regarding the history of the Rwandan genocide, these issues take nothing away from the core message of Dr. Stanfield. The success of the grass roots ‘Gacaca’ justice practiced by communities throughout Rwanda serves as a powerful model for what Dr. Stanfield calls ‘restorative justice’. Having worked with healing and reconciliation ministries in Rwanda since 2005, my wife and I concur that this is a model that has powerful implication for how we address race relations in the United States. Thank you Dr. Stanfield for holding up this model as a new direction for public policy. I would suggest in addition that we work to build a network of restorative justice; teaching the principles reconciliation in local communities, schools and networks. The greatest success we have seen in Rwanda is not government programs, but the powerful impact of committed individuals determined to do what is necessary to live together in harmony as neighbors.

]]> Comment on Dealing with Iran by James Zogby by Rehmat http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/dealing-with-iran-by-james-zogby#comment-24474 Rehmat Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:37:06 +0000 http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/?p=8867#comment-24474 Half truth on Iran and rest western Libyan-type propaganda lies on Syria. In case of Israeli attack on Iran - AIPAC recently told its members that Israel would rather let the US ith its far better military power to attack Iran on Israel's behalf. Syrian forces are not killing civilians. They are killing insurgents trained and armed by the US, France, Israel, turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. These insurgents are killing military officials and the civilians. The numbers of 5,000 plus civilian killed are provided by a London-based Syrian exiles who are funded by Israel-Firster David Cameron's government. Bashar al-Assad is being thrashed because he is cruel - but because he is supportive of Hizbullah, Hamas and Iran. US-Israel want a regime change in Damascus to replace Assad with a pro-Israel dictator. Like Qaddai, Assad is also very popular among his countrymen. On January 17, 2012 – Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, head of the Israel Occupation Force (IOF) planing department, told reporters in Jerusalem that once Iran poseses nuclear arsenal, it will make hard for Israel to defeat Hamas and Hizbullah. http://rehmat1.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/israel-nuclear-iran-makes-hard-to-defeat-hamas-and-hizbullah/ Half truth on Iran and rest western Libyan-type propaganda lies on Syria.

In case of Israeli attack on Iran – AIPAC recently told its members that Israel would rather let the US ith its far better military power to attack Iran on Israel’s behalf.

Syrian forces are not killing civilians. They are killing insurgents trained and armed by the US, France, Israel, turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. These insurgents are killing military officials and the civilians. The numbers of 5,000 plus civilian killed are provided by a London-based Syrian exiles who are funded by Israel-Firster David Cameron’s government.

Bashar al-Assad is being thrashed because he is cruel – but because he is supportive of Hizbullah, Hamas and Iran. US-Israel want a regime change in Damascus to replace Assad with a pro-Israel dictator.

Like Qaddai, Assad is also very popular among his countrymen.

On January 17, 2012 – Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, head of the Israel Occupation Force (IOF) planing department, told reporters in Jerusalem that once Iran poseses nuclear arsenal, it will make hard for Israel to defeat Hamas and Hizbullah.

http://rehmat1.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/israel-nuclear-iran-makes-hard-to-defeat-hamas-and-hizbullah/

]]> Comment on No Joy in Mudville–Iran & Romney; Obama abandons Habeas Corpus; Israel by don http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/no-joy-in-mudville-iran-romney-obama-abandons-habeas-corpus-israel#comment-24443 don Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:24:13 +0000 http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/?p=8296#comment-24443 Throwing the only Jewish state under the bus is no way to teach a lesson. I do suggest that Maynard red up on the history of the region and the Zionist movement prior or writing a fiction. As for Iran, at some point there wi be a line that iran chooses or not to cross. Israel is not the only country in the region with serious concerns. Throwing the only Jewish state under the bus is no way to teach a lesson. I do suggest that Maynard red up on the history of the region and the Zionist movement prior or writing a fiction. As for Iran, at some point there wi be a line that iran chooses or not to cross. Israel is not the only country in the region with serious concerns.

]]> Comment on MJ Rosenberg on Israel’s Possible Strike at Iran by TruthFullTruth http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/mj-rosenberg-on-israels-possible-strike-at-iran#comment-24371 TruthFullTruth Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:03:26 +0000 http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/?p=7321#comment-24371 Washington, DC's & Tel Aviv's threats against Iran remind you of Hitler's threats against Czechoslovakia and Poland. Hitler and his Nazi minions made threats which were "justified" on preemptive grounds. They carried out their threats because Europe was too afraid to take corrective action. You can bet that Hitler's modern day counterparts will take the same action unless and until the world develops the guts to stop those terrorist threats. LEAVE IRAN ALONE! Washington, DC’s & Tel Aviv’s threats against Iran remind you of Hitler’s threats against Czechoslovakia and Poland. Hitler and his Nazi minions made threats which were “justified” on preemptive grounds. They carried out their threats because Europe was too afraid to take corrective action. You can bet that Hitler’s modern day counterparts will take the same action unless and until the world develops the guts to stop those terrorist threats.

LEAVE IRAN ALONE!

]]> Comment on A Restorative Circle in the Wake of a Police Shooting by Robert Fearnside http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/a-restorative-circle-in-the-wake-of-a-police-shooting#comment-24314 Robert Fearnside Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:18:43 +0000 http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/?p=8118#comment-24314 The review by David Bourne identifies some interesting points of view that I believe are more relevant to the legal hearings than the 'healing restorative proces'. David, fails to recognize that it was the 'Williams Family' and their community that sought restoration, not the Police or the Seattle community, who it appears, outside of the indigenous community and its supporters, were willing to accept the whole episode as another drunk, knife wielding native getting their just desserts. David needs to seriously review the positive outcomes of this restorative process for all involved and perhaps volunteer his time to participate next time as a concerned community member. The review by David Bourne identifies some interesting points of view that I believe are more relevant to the legal hearings than the ‘healing restorative proces’. David, fails to recognize that it was the ‘Williams Family’ and their community that sought restoration, not the Police or the Seattle community, who it appears, outside of the indigenous community and its supporters, were willing to accept the whole episode as another drunk, knife wielding native getting their just desserts. David needs to seriously review the positive outcomes of this restorative process for all involved and perhaps volunteer his time to participate next time as a concerned community member.

]]> Comment on Hurrah for Egypt by don http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/hurrah-for-egypt#comment-24312 don Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:11:02 +0000 http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/?p=8850#comment-24312 the country is now buried in bloodshed the country is now buried in bloodshed

]]> Comment on Twenty Years of Restorative Justice in New Zealand by Christa Pierpont http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/twenty-years-of-restorative-justice-in-new-zealand#comment-24292 Christa Pierpont Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:13:32 +0000 http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/?p=8130#comment-24292 Thank you...thank you...thank you for your wisdom and persistence in restoring the conscience and wisdom of the people. Thank you…thank you…thank you for your wisdom and persistence in restoring the conscience and wisdom of the people.

]]> Comment on Syria’s Minorities Fear Opposition Movement by don http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/syrias-minorities-fear-opposition-movement#comment-24280 don Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:50:50 +0000 http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/?p=7470#comment-24280 Rehnmat is defending a a family that has a history off genocide. I would check for moral compass since 5000 have been murdered.children arrested and their dismembered bodies thrown on the street. Rehnmat is defending a a family that has a history off genocide. I would check for moral compass since 5000 have been murdered.children arrested and their dismembered bodies thrown on the street.

]]> Comment on Obama’s Deregulation of GMO Crops by Bob Reeves http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/obamas-deregulation-of-gmo-crops#comment-24189 Bob Reeves Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:05:30 +0000 http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/?p=4713#comment-24189 I would very much like to have the citation to the Supreme Court opinion reference in your article at http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/obamas-deregulation-of-gmo-crops Robert E. Reeves Reeves Law Office 167 West Main St., Suite 500 Lexington, KY 40507 ofc) 859-226-0700 fax) 888-316-8801 I would very much like to have the citation to the Supreme Court opinion reference in your article at
http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/obamas-deregulation-of-gmo-crops

Robert E. Reeves
Reeves Law Office
167 West Main St., Suite 500
Lexington, KY 40507
ofc) 859-226-0700
fax) 888-316-8801

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