Freedom & the Pen

[H2O Man]

My copy of “Eye of the Hurricane: My Path from Darkness to Freedom” arrived last night. Lawrence Hill Books/ Chicago Review Press is releasing the book in January. It's 328 pages, including a foreword by Nelson Mandela (The above photo is my favorite of Rubin and Mr. Mandela)

I'm going to re-read the book today, then start on the formal book review. When he called me a couple weeks ago, Rubin said, “Pat, this book is going to shock you!” I told him, “Rube, you've been shocking everyone for decades now. I don't expect that this book will change that.” And, oh boy, it surely doesn't!

A week or so ago, I asked friends on the Democratic Underground's sports forum if there might be interest in my posting information about the Hurricane's legal case. In 1991, F. Lee Bailey said that “the case is one of the century's most important legal sagas.” It went from June 17, 1966, to February 26, 1988, with two trials, and numerous appeals with hearings in New Jersey and federal courts. In order to provide a fair amount of insight and information – and I do have five books, numerous lengthy court transcripts, as well as letters and cassette tapes from Rubin – I'll need to break it into several parts: the background of Paterson, NJ, and of Rubin; the murders in Paterson's bars; the trials and appeals; etc.

There is information on the case that, while found buried deep inside the state government's files, was never heard inside a courtroom, or made public in the years since Rubin Carter won in federal court. What the heck! It might be of interest to the Democratic Underground community. Plus, it'll give me something to do while it is beyond frigid cold outside!

Peace,
H2O Man

[Me.]

1. Have Seen The Movie

But a two hour time frame only allowed for a skimming of the facts. In light of the wikileak matter it would be interesting to know exactly what the government tried to hide.

[H2O Man]

2. It's a great movie.

However, as you note, a movie -- or even a two-hour documentary -- can only cover part of what was a 22-year long court ordeal.

One of the interesting focuses of the new book is that what happened to Rubin and John Artis yesterday, has become the national policy in the past 16 years in America. And it is a policy that tramples the US Constitution, and calls upon the hatreds and fears that are the basest of human unconsciousness .... especially when these emotions move a "crowd," or large group of people.

In this case, two police investigators KNEW not only that Carter and Artis had not committed the crime in question, but they had the names of four people involved -- the two gunmen, the person who hired the killers, and the person who paid them. However, because they hide this information from others, planted other evidence, and manipulated two weasals from the gutter (one of whom was caught robbing the dead bodies), the other police involved became unwitting accomplices in an investigation that suffered from "tunnel vision," and lead to Rubin and John's incarceration.

It's interesting to note that once released from prison, one prosecutor insisted -- all the way to the US Supreme Court -- that Carter was a cold-blooded, racist, hateful assassin: a dangerous man who would savagely attack an innocent society. In fact, that was the image that he had of Rubin, based upon lies, planted evidence, tunnel vision, and a heaping dose of anger and fear.

Since 1985, Rubin has worked constantly, with some of the top attorneys in North America, on cases of unjust convictions, opposition to the death penalty, and prison reform. He's traveled around the globe, with a message of peace and non-violence. He's addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations, and students in high schools. He's worked with Nelson Mandela on conflict resolution in the Middle East, met with President Bill Clinton on prison reform, and worked against George W. Bush's being placed in any position of authority.

His new book is simply outstanding. He addresses issues ranging from Bush, 9/11, the prison industry, problems with drug laws, the need to recognize gay rights as human rights, and many, many other issues that are of interest to DUers.

[Me.]

5. The Innocence Project Was Born Because Of Stories Like His

I seriously wonder how you can lie a man into prison and still sleep at night

[spanone]

3. k&r

[EFerrari]

4. I'm sorry I missed the window to recommend this thread.

:kick: