by Firy

Created on: October 21, 2008   Last Updated: August 13, 2011

America's Freedom on Eggshells

"Freedom Begins at Home". The stale expression "charity begins at home" brings out clarity to the notion of America losing her freedom. This clarity is in fact the obvious contradiction that in such an obsolete phrase there is fresh meaning even in our time. The contradiction is in leaping across oceans for comedy there when there is tragedy at home. The contradiction is in jumping over hungry sharks to rescue genocide victims overseas when we can not cure the genocide engineered by our death penalty machinery. Abroad we preach freedom through democracy and we expect or coerce others to hear: at home we preach the same freedom but democracy has stuffed her ears with her ear flaps!

Troy Anthony Davis, the man now facing execution for reasons not written in the laws of this country is one out of many placards that stand firm against the notion of freedom in our land.

On http://www.democracynow.org/2007/7/17/less_than_24_h ours_before_his it says, "Davis was convicted in 91 for the killing of white police officer Mark Allen McPhail. With no physical evidence or murder weapon the prosecution's case rested entirely on witness testimony. But seven of the nine non-police witnesses said they were coerced by police and have since recanted their testimony. Nine witnesses have implicated another man in the murder."

It says, further, "After the ruling, Troy Davis spoke to reporters by cell phone. He said, 'I'm elated. I'm blessed and thankful. I'm one step closer to my freedom.'"

My reading of the reports on Troy's case is that he is facing death penalty because of some legal technicality. The news so rip off a belly. There are so many things we can lose on a technicality but a man can and will die over a technicality?

America sells peace and justice overseas.... Shall we have a thin slice of the same here at home before we export the crumbs? Most people flee their countries for injustice. Most of them come to America. Association of America with morals and justice is not a facade. It is a demeanor that this country once held. This outlook is not just people's imagination. It was there. The number one evidence for this is that this nation is made up of people from everywhere some of them leaving their countries under humane conditions.

America, you need to wake up and nurse your children! You have allowed the black-headed python to embrace the children of your own! Indeed he has verily wrapped himself around them in your slumber! When you wake up, there will be no need for a funeral because your children will be swallowed whole. There will be no tears nor their trace because the python will vanish in search of more prey.

"America, the beautiful" why succumb to a snake's venom when you are endowed with such great wisdom and power? Is it because you yourself have been smitten? Wake up and suckle your own! Give justice to your own people before you send it overseas. Give freedom to your own people before you send it overseas. The story of Troy Davis is one that turns your gut inside out. It makes you wonder why America has plugged her freedom ears when Groups including Amnesty International have rallied behind Davis's case. Former FBI Director William Sessions submitted a written clemency appeal on Davis's behalf, while the Council of Europe urged the United States not to commit what it said would be an error it would come to regret. And Georgia Congress member John Lewis testified in person before the parole board yesterday. "Please bring freedom home we pray!

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