Thanks so much to everyone who picked up their phone yesterday and urged Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles stop the execution of Kenneth Foster today.
Governor Perry just commuted his sentence.
Congratulations to James Rucker at ColorofChange and to Sean-Paul Kelly who worked hard to make this happen. It was wonderful to be able to take part in this effort, Foster killed no one and his execution would have been a terrible miscarriage of justice. It also would have set a barbarous precedent in the courts.
I didn’t think this (commutation) was going to happen. Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who made the effort to call.
(photo of Foster and daughter Nydesha)
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Thank you!
Hi Jane
Finally a moment of sanity.
Hah! First! Zed!
Wowo,
People power does work!
Fine….third
Do the right thing!
Rick Perry did the right thing? I’m stunned.
I sure didn’t think this would happen. I am particularly happy that he wants to do something about that terrible law.
The Agonist has a place for me since 2000, 2001(?), so this has been a real issue for Sean-Paul.
This is terrific news. I am suitably impressed!!
Bush would not have done what Perry has done – no way.
It’s amazing. Nice to see a happier ending.
I’m stunned and thrilled.
It’s sad that it would be so absolutely shocking that the governor did the right thing.
But I’m shocked.
Gov Goodhair does have a bit of a heart after all!
Power To the People!
Justice!!
jane hamser, you are one incredible person, you save lives
*shivers*
They have been executing people here in TX the last couple of days…I’m wondering if that is because of Gonzales’ execution “fast track” thingy.
I was stunned as well, especially after all the discussion on the thread yesterday.
What a strange world when a decision so obviously just surprises us.
It says so much about where we are…
SufiLizard @ 13
I’m not so sure Perry “did the right thing.” I think these folks saw and heard the coverage and the phone calls and the howls of protest across the country and said to themselves, “Wow, someone really IS watching us here in Texas. Let’s not make ourselves look like a bunch of violent pinheads.” That is what I think happened.
Toby Wollin @ 20
Parole and Pardons voted 6-1. That is significant! Bush would have disregarded that.
LS @ 17
It is so that bush can get his warm and fuzzies while he is in crawford… close to the event dontchaknow
Biodun @ 18
Was it not hopeful?
TheOtherWA @ 12
I thought this was lost, just another step on road to barbarism Bush has urged us down. I put it up because it was the right thing to do but didn’t think it was really going to happen. I’m a bit choked up.
Jane Hamsher @ 24
The additional wonderful thing about taking action is that they are going to try to change the law. In Texas that is stunning and a good sign.
For the Governor of Texas
and the Board of Pardons and Paroles
simply
Thank You for your mercy shown
Late to the thread but I’m sure it was all those phone calls yesterday from the FDL area code that made the difference.
Wow. Just came back from lunch. I am stunned as well. I didn’t think Perry had an independent bone in his body. His motto has always been, “WWWD.” (What would ‘W’ do.)
Jane Hamsher @ 24
Sometime you fight just because you’re pissed off, not because you expect to win. Luckily, sometimes you do win. :D
*yay, Jane!*
jane – thank YOU for asking us to call.
Maybe we should call Perry’s office and thank him for not doing what W surely would have done.
retirin’ in five @ 27
I think a lot of people contributed to the effort from a lot of different places but I know you called retirin’ so thank you very, very much.
Texas firedogpups, take a bow. You did it.
LS @ 25
/falls over, stupified and grinning
*THUD*
Wordsmith @ 23
A lot of people called those numbers that Jane put up, but I don’t think deep down people really thought Perry was going to do it. (This was my impression.) Just goes to show…
Toby Wollin @ 20
No, Perry did do the right thing. Why he did the right thing is what you’re wondering here but do the right thing he did.
OMG {{{{{{{{{YEAH}}}}}}}}}. Shout out to Jane and everyone else for putting this out there.
Well there we go. Maybe the tiny glimmer of hope we feel from this important success will give us the energy to continue our work to save this country.
I want to offer my sincere congratulations to everyone who called and saved this man’s life.
Now if we can reform our prison system from a punitive, for-profit system to one that genuinely works toward rehabilitation we’ll really have done him a favor.
I’m equally stunned. One small step forward in our fight to put the U.S. back on the map as a nation of fair and humane justice. Thank you for highlighting the issue.
Here is what I have learned from my time here at FDL:
1) If you provide credible information and explain the implications, it will go a long way. People get excited and pass it along.
2) If you do that and ask people to get involved by emailing and calling, they do.
3) And sometimes, when you least expect it, doing 1 and 2 works really really well. And that gives people hope and encourages to become more involved with more issues and to extend themselves in terms of time and money and so on.
FDL works.
The Governor’s wife (a nurse) may have helped him see the light. Not a typical Republic spouse.
Thanks, Jane, but the kudos goes to you for posting the matter in the first place. All we pups did were make the calls. Fairly easy stuff in comparison to your effort.
Richard Jewell just died of a heart attack. Anybody remember what the media did to him in the days after the failed Olympics bombing?
Jeebus, it’s a good thing that AbuG was not involved in this fiasco. I can imagine anything he would have penned would have read more like a mash note to Preznit Inject’em, and had a post-it attached looking for a companion to run down to the local coffee shop.
Not to give anything to Gov Goodhair, but even a blind squirrel can find an acorn by accident.
Well done.
Judge to release sealed Cunningham materials:
http://www.nctimes.com/article….._29_07.txt
LS @ 31
Yes we should. Carrot and stick. Punishment and reward. If you let them know what you want them to do, and they do it. You should reward with an “attaboy”.
This is just jaw on the floor news.
Perry has no heart – he’s a Karl Rove product. This is a a good sign, though that the political winds are changing. Maybe people are starting to wake up. Republican policy has led us dangerously close to becoming a police state.
And its also a sign that the internets are working as town crier and pamphleteer. Jane & Christy’s FDL and other blogs are better that a newspaper in that they can gather news quickly and effect changes quickly. Bravo!
I had never called my representative before reading Firedoglake. Now I have called my (and other peoples) representatives on many occasions. This is not the first time I have seen that we can affect how our govt does business (some times). The proof is right here, and it helps ease some of the discouragement we can’t help but feel as the events of these times happen around us.
Maybe this has been covered before – but does anyone know Gov. Perry’s “batting average” (sorry) on commuting sentences?
egregious @ 15
{{{{{Jane Hamsher saves another life!!!!!}}}}}
I hate to drop in a contrasting link, but my jaw dropped when I read this today. And it’s quite a contrast between two states…
Judge takes on death row gridlock
oh freedom
Smgumby @ 43, Brian Williams mentioned the media treatment of Richard Jewell, including NBC’s. Probably best to wait until someone is dead before admitting they were unfairly accused, villified and hounded while alive.
Rick Perry used to be a Democrat. Sometimes there’s still a glimmer of it…
I’m still absorbing this, though. Awesome. Thank you, Jane and everyone who called and spread the word. We are so used to stupid executions here in Texas. Who would have predicted? :)
Ed*ard Teller @ 50
Take care, saving lives can become quite addictive. Saving one’s nation, even more so.
Three cheers for Jane!!!
Jane Hamsher @ 24
I did too. I called and just wasn’t hopeful it would make any difference.
OMG!!! Bravo!!!
Was the picture above taken just after they got the news? I saw it before I read Jane’s piece or even the title and knew what the post was about! Great news!
Well – with this good news I’m off to work.
I love this place!
It is good dog training technique to praise the dog and give it a treat when you catch it doing something “right”.
It is good child training to praise their positive achievements and reward their good behaviors at least twice as much as you reprimand them and punish.
Given this – and the mentality of the average politico – should not every last one of us now be calling those numbers again to give POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT and thank this Governor for doing the right thing??????
Jane Hamsher @ 24
{{{{Jane!!!!!}}}} You are wonderful. Nothing short of that.
looseheadprop @ 46
A thank you call could be just as important as the last calls. What do you want to bet a lot of people are calling to complain right now?
Jane — if you’re making a film about this, I want to play myself. If I can’t play me, get Kramer. Thanks.
Toby Wollin @ 20
Maybe it’s better to give him credit. Bottom line: he did it. Let’s hope the act leads him to more like it. People can change.
Frank Probst @ 7
Rick Perry did the right thing? Is today Backwards Day? Am I on Bizarro World? Will Earth 2 President Bush announce a troop withdrawal today? What’s going on?
Gov Perry:
Thank you for not killing another human being.
Mr. Foster:
You have been truly blessed! Make the most of your blessing.
I just called both Perry’s office and the Pardons Board to thank them. I think a lot of calls are coming in.
Smgumby @ 62
Just got off the phone to Gov Goodhair’s office. There was another call ahead of mine. Told the woman who answered that I wanted to thank the Gov for having commuted Mr. Foster’s sentence from Death to Life. She thanked me and that was that.
Death to Life…we need far more of it. Out of Iraq Now!!!
LS @ 67
I think we should somehow include that it is nice to see him distancing himself from the policies of the bush administration
I don’t know how to exactly word that sentiment but it is a carrot and stick with these politicians
This is a perfect example of why we must do the right thing no matter the expectations. We must keep doing the right thing. Make those calls, keep after those poiticians. We are making a difference – one small event at a time. Perseverance. We will win the day if we keep at it. Do not give anything up.
Thanks to everyone who hit the phones. You guys and gals are the best!
And major, mad mad props to Color of Change, James Rucker and Sean Paul Kelly.
Oh this is great News. Thanks Jane and Thanks DemocracyNow!
Some amazing ladies:
Jane
Redd
Digby
Amy Goodman
Randi Rhodes
Marcy Wheeler
Lindsay Beyerstein
My Sister
Just to mention a few I pay an ear to every day
I wonder what took Perry so long?
Did he issue a statement? Is he going to?
Does anybody here believe it was the call from Rahm Emanuel, from Hillary Clinton, from any member of th DLC that made the difference? Perhaps somebody from Obama’s or from Edwards’s or Kucenich’s campaign called, but I’d bet a week’s wages Hillary’s people didn’t even have this one on their radar.
Madame Hamsher, vous meritez tout le credit, félicitations.
And to think that tonight, the msm will say that the Governor is un-american…
I thought this was going to happen, given Texas’ record… I was happily surprised to hear how this turned out…
There have been calls by the Pope, Mother Theresa and these guys usually slam the phone and pull the switch. WOW who knew!
Quebecois @ 74
Salut, Quebecois, nous sommes voisins! Je suis à Maine.
Perry, “”I am concerned about Texas law that allowed capital murder defendants to be tried simultaneously and it is an issue I think the Legislature should examine.”
There are hundreds on death row including Mumia who is a brilliant commentator. What’s the point of killing him? twenty five years in jail is not punishment enough for him? (if he did what he was convicted of)?
Weird weird world.
I am continually impressed by the intelligence, savvy, humanity and political know-how of FDL. And all without losing a sense of humor. What a great bunch! You’re all invited to my house.
OT;
snip
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/30/01221/5753
Hat tip to Gordon over at Fixers place.
http://alterx.blogspot.com/200…..er-to.html
More goodness from looseheadprop in the new thread.
A Consensus AG Nominee?
Some of you are as guilty as the Republics in evoking a Clinton into every subject.. Dislike/hate them on the merit, not suppositions like ET’s @ 73.
Wow. Awesome. Power to the people, indeed!
This is terrific news, but the larger issue, of course, is the policy.
First of all, Texas’ barbaric law needs to be struck down. Hopefully, Perry’s urging the Legislature to take a look at it will eventually lead to that.
The fact that our country even has a “death penalty” is shameful. State-sponsored executions are about revenge, not justice. If Bernard Shaw asked me if my wife were raped and murdered, of course I’d want to kill the guy. But that’s revenge.
A civilized country administers justice.
I rescind my comments of yesterday regarding Texas.
There’s a heart in there after all.
“Formidable! This is great,” he said, with equal fluency in both languages.
Thanks, indeed. How nice to read some truly good news. My optimism has gone back up a notch.
Power of “We the people….” revealed.
Bless them all.
Kudos to those individuals that decided is appropriate of course.
Fingers crossed that this is “a sign” that the tide is turning against barbaric behaviors.
“Government is too big and too important to be left to the politicians.” — Claire Huchet Bishop
PeterK @ 77
Nous sommes tous voisins!
Frank Probst @ 7
Me, too, speaking as a Texan for 22 years. I really thought the campaign was futile.
That said, if anyone saw my posts yesterday about my somewhat ambivalent feelings, based mainly on an acquaintance with the victim’s father, I must admit that when I heard the news of the commutation on the car radio a little while ago, my main feeling was relief.
After the surprise, of course. And I have to confess, I hadn’t recalled until last night, reading up on the case (at Jane’s prompting), that Foster and Brown were tried together. I suspect that created a prejudice in the jury’s mind. He probably would have gotten a life sentence or less had he not been tried with the shooter.
I know I’m writing too much; processing my thoughts/feelings, I guess. I’m grateful to Jane and all the thoughtful pups who got me researching and rethinking. It’s important.
Rick DeVille @ 89
Bien sûr, faut pas l’oublier!
Hey neighbours, quite a nice neighbourhood it is!!!
The whole death penalty debate has to be revisited in the States. How many innocent people have been executed?? When does this stop…
One last thought – I have no doubt Bush would have ignored the Pardons Board and allowed the execution.
I may have to stop referring to Perry as “Governor Goodhair,” at least for a little while.
Quebecois @ 92
Indeed it is. But unfortunately the US in general has a strong “punish the bad guys” culture (we now have, IIRC, 2 million people in jail) and the death penalty is part of that. Tho there have been some breakthroughs, for ex the governor of Illinois I think it was, refusing to let executions go forward on grounds of conscience. Ideas on how to change that culture, pups?
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. — Margaret Mead
This week is turning out pretty well. I haven’t felt this great since November Sixth, and before that August Eighth.
Slowly, the change is coming. This is exceptional news.
Fabulous. I will have to tell my son, who doesn’t think America will ever get better.
Maybe. Just maybe.
PeterK says:
August 30th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I am continually impressed by the intelligence, savvy, humanity and political know-how of FDL. And all without losing a sense of humor. What a great bunch! You’re all invited to my house.
Hear Hear!
I’m shocked. I really thought Foster was toast.
I have to give Good Hair a little teensy-weensy bit of credit.
Durnit.
tejanarusa @ 90
Thanks very much for your thoughtful commentary of yesterday and for going back and digging deeper. I found it all very interesting and appreciate your effort.
It’s a small thing, esp. since my arguement was sort of dismissed as idealism yesterday, but my LTE against the Foster getting the dp was published yesterday in our local Austin paper. Ahhh, the satisfaction of saying I took the time to put pen to paper. One less death in this state; a small sigh of relief; a piece of good news. Maybe a spot for alittle idealism.
To: 94. I think likely the most promising path to change the culture is not the moral/theological one, but the unfair/there really are flaws in the system one. I think Ryan etc. have begun to get it that the system is not perfect, innocents are executed, the punishment is not fairly assessed, etc. All very practical, fair-unfair realities that most people are beginning “to get.” The same reason the Libby case struck such a nerve when Bush showed such favoritism.
BHatten @ 100
Link? Would love to read it.
Oh my,
I didn’t call.
I’m just coming off of the opening of the school year.
Thank you, all of you, for calling.
Thank you
The picture of Foster and his daughter is wonderful.
Thank you, Jane, for telling the story that I didn’t even read because I didn’t get to the computer to read it.
Thank you FDL readers for calling on this guy’s behalf. This guy… such a mundane word for man who might have been executed for never having committed a murder.
I look at Nydesha and I actually feel joy.
It is wonderful to know that all of us here helped with one voice to help another human being…
I thank the lake for giving me the opportunity to be a small part of it….
Jane Hamsher @ 24
This was my reaction as well. Perry’s never paid attn to the niceties of justice in previous public outcries, and I didn’t really think this time would be different.
Still, hope does spring eternal, and we cam win if we don’t fight. The organizers of this campaign were outstanding in getting info out.
Honestly, I think every fight we’ve had in Texas pushing back against the conservative madmen this spring-including the controversy over Perry’s attempt to push through the cervical ca immunizations, and the scandalous goings on in the Texas Legislature with the Speaker claiming more power than g-d all culminated in this small victory.
Tomorrow, we fight again, but today I’m gonna savor this small victory with great appreciation for every one who made it possible.
LS @ 10
I called the governor’s office yesterday after closing. Left my name, mentioned the previous court rights ruling re rights violation and mentioned something to the effect that letting the execution go through would be a miscarriage of justice that the previous governor would do…
SanderO @ 76
Mother Teresa phoned from the beyond!?!!
Now THAT’S POWER!
To: 102, Jane, Thanks. I do not know a link; the paper is Austin American Statesman and actually there were 2 letters on the subject. Mine is the second, and Im the girl! Hope you find it. Sorry I don’t know the link thing.
ticktock @ 104
Amen..called last night and hoped he would listen to all those who have called and he did, a bright spot in a sea of gray dust filled souls…humanity reared its beautiful head and Perry listened.
From the Padilla jury to this … things are looking up!
i empathize greatly with mr foster, and the la hood family.
justice is done.
peas!