Thursday, October 10, 2002

The State of Florida Sanctions Child Abuse Florida's Escambia County Assistant Prosecutor, David Rimmer exhibits unethical and immoral treatment of a 13-year-old-sexual abuse victim in blatant display of child abuse during recent murder trial. When did the state of Florida start to sanction child abuse? Pensacola, FL, October 9, 2002 [~] Concerned citizens are outraged over the blatant display of child abuse exhibited by Florida's Assistant Prosecutor David Rimmer. Mr. Rimmer flagrantly disregarded the standard practice of requiring the testimony given by minors or victims of sexual abuse to be made during a courtroom session closed to the public. He recently called a 13-year-old victim of sexual abuse to testify on national television. This took place during the murder trial accusing a convicted child molester of killing the boy's father. Additionally, the same defendant is charged with molesting the 13-year-old. There is little question that Mr. Rimmer intended that this victim be cast in the least favorable light to the jury and used his authority and power to humiliate and degrade the underage victim of a convicted child molester. Mr. Rimmer presented Alex King, a child victim of sexual abuse, in a courtroom to offer testimony against the defendant, Ricky Chavis. Alex King was forced to give testimony with both arms and legs shackled while dressed in his county jail uniform. This child was required to answer questions regarding his "sexual relationship" with the defendant which not only got into specifics, but also included reading "love notes" the child victim wrote. Florida law prohibits a "consensual sexual relationship" between a 13-year-old child and a 40-year-old adult, calling it statutory rape. It was Mr. Rimmers' obligation to insist that this testimony, by this child sexual abuse victim, be given in a closed session rather than parading a young boy shackled in handcuffs around the courtroom. Unfortunately, Alex King[base ']s testimony was broadcast to millions of television viewers. State sanctioned child abuse must be stopped. Mr. Rimmer[base ']s unethical and immoral treatment of a 13-year-old victim of sexual abuse is not acceptable. He must be held responsible for his actions and be charged for child abuse. Alex and his 14-year-old brother Derek King are in the Escambia jail awaiting their sentencing for being found guilty of second-degree murder without a weapon and arson. According to the jury, the boys opened the door of their home and allowed the murderer of their father to enter. The minimum sentence for this crime is 22 years to life. Don[base ']t let Florida[base ']s legal system fail Alex and Derek. Starting with one voice, laws can be changed. Show your support by attending a rally for Alex and Derek before a hearing motion for a new trial on October 17. Attend the rally and please stay for the hearing at 1:00 p.m. in Pensacola. Rally Date: Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location: In front of the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building 190 Government Street Pensacola, Florida Additional ways to show support for Alex and Derek are to sign the online petitions for Governor Bush and the Honorable Judge Bell requesting justice for the King Brothers at http://www.petitiononline.com/Kingboys/ and http://www.e-thepeople.org/a-national/petition/3642/view. Defense donations are being accepted for Alex and Derek at the Bank of Pensacola. Please make checks payable to Bank of Pensacola, Alex and Derek King, Account #050016, Attn: Alicia Steele, P.O. Box 12966, Pensacola, FL 32591. You can also visit the King Brothers store at www.cafepress.com/kingbrothers. Concerned citizens from around the world have formed a coalition to seek justice for Derek and Alex King and others. Working together with Rev. Thomas Masters and his Under Our Wings Organization, it is our goal to bring justice to the legal system in Florida. This coalition will not stop until justice is reached in the King Brothers case. For more information, visit www.derekandalexking.org or http://home.triad.rr.com/seekjustice/. Everything you've ever heard about corruption in the South is true. There's a real "good ole boys" network going on here. The boys were allowed to waive their rights and gave their confession to a deputy sheriff who was a friend of Rick Chavis with no other adults and no attorney present. The clothes the boys wore the night of the crime were washed and never tested for evidence. Chavis was allowed to visit the scene after the crime since he was a friend of some of the firemen. Rimmer purposely lied to the jury. The more I read about this case, the more I find wrong with it. We need to clean house here and get rid of the corrupt officials. 7:52:42 PM    Comments []

Mr. Swartz Goes to Washington. In which I see the Bookmobile, go to the Superparty, wait in line until 2AM, almost miss getting to the... [Aaron Swartz: The Weblog] I really respect Aaron - he's one of the most brilliant people I know of any age. Young people like him (as well as Justin, Adam, and Jeremiah) are our hope for the future, and I think they'll do a much better job of running the world than our generation did. 3:51:55 PM    Comments []

Interesting interview with Malian singer Salif Keita, in which he talks about the rise of political Islam & music piracy. Banning Eyre: I've read that political Islam is on the rise in Mali? Are you saying this is getting worse? Or is it something that was always there? Salif Keita: It's there. It's there, and it's getting stronger and stronger. I will tell you why. The ones who control music piracy in Mali are religious leaders. The biggest mafia of pirates are the religious ones. Sean Barlow: The marabouts? S.K.: The followers of the marabouts, the friends of marabouts. So that the population will not hear those who struggle against piracy, what do they do? The make counter-propaganda. "You mustn't listen [to the musicians who complain]. These are Kaffirs!" You understand the game? That's it. And as they know that Mali is 90% Muslim, they know people will listen to the marabouts, and then they profit from the musicians. They pirate their records. They've brought in the customs service. They've brought in the army. They've brought in the police. It's a big game, and it's killing us. Often I feel like finding a new profession. SB.: But people still hear music on the radio. They still go to concerts. No one can stop that. S.K.: No, they can't prevent the average Malian musician. But I will tell you this: Mali is run from the mosques. I am sorry to tell you this. In fact, the president we have now, we are counting him, but this is someone who does not listen to the people. He would like to change things. But when? You have to have a free hand to make changes. It's religious politics that dominate there. It's a catastrophe. It's very dangerous. Me, I talk, but others are afraid to talk about this. I'm not afraid. I don't care. I've done nothing wrong. I don't earn my living there; I earn my living abroad. I'm not a griot tapping on the door of a marabout when I need to eat. No. I eat elsewhere. And so I speak out. But others are afraid to speak, because it's a real mafia. It's true. B.E.: That's serious. S.K.: It's very serious, and this is the only real problem in Mali. That's it. B.E.: And you think this is worse than when I was living there in 1996. S.K.: It's worse now. There are radicals now. They want to make Mali an Islamic country, like Nigeria. With Sharia, everything. It's dangerous. For me, I'm not worried. My god is everywhere for me. But poor Mali! If that happens, we are ruined. The whole region is ruined. B.E.: So how can you fight against that? S.K.: Ah, me? I can't fight it alone. But in general, you have to come up with a strategy. Salif Keita cannot do that. B.E.: Even if he is God. S.K.: Even if he is God. You know, God never speaks in the end. [LAUGHS] He never speaks. SB.: This is interesting, Salif. You were just talking about the tolerance in Mali, the (cousinage). S.K.: Mali is an ancient civilization, dressed up by religion. When you speak about God there[sigma] Hey wait, you must know what I have said before, about misery. You mustn't forget that spirituality says that God is there. God is a remedy against misery. This is a philosophy that keeps the poor in line, that maintains poverty. It's not that religion is bad. It's the interpretation, the way it is used. That closes the door. Me, I'm a Muslim. I don't hide that. I know that God gave me a good head, to serve me, to allow me to reflect, and to allow me to go and find food to eat[sigma] But this is our biggest problem in Mali. I even heard this talk from Samassa. You know Samassa, the producer? B.E.: The cassette producer. Yes. S.K.: He's the biggest pirate of all, along with Sylla productions. Samassa came to my house. He said, "Salif, we want Mali to become an Islamic country." Ah, no! B.E.: Really? And this was recently. S.K.: Six months ago. That's dangerous. Thieves like him! No, that is dangerous. I am afraid of that. It's when I think of that, I say, "Poor Mali." We had a chance. We became a democratic country. If we could have continued like that, we would have a real chance, more even than the countries on the coast. Because what is a country? A country is a way of thinking. But if that escapes us--and there is a risk that that will escape us... I was hoping to see him tonight at the Broward Center, but it looks like I probably won't be able to make it. 10:47:26 AM    Comments []