Thursday, March 1, 2007
from the Kennebec Journal
Rep. Pingree hears varied proposals for health-care solutions
HALLOWELL Fire that cut communications labeled arson
MONMOUTH Police defended after slim budget rejection
State's schools chief to parley
Wasser will lead newsrooms at KJ, Sentinel and in Portland
BRIEFS
Hockey still in picture for Harrington
Portland boxer to face legend's son
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
$1.3 MILLION FOR HEALTHREACH
Families Matter grows to meet special needs
Chellie Pingree listens to ideas on health care reform
FARMINGTON Rain alters plans for 4th of July
District regroups after budget failure
Vote on county budget hits snag
Burnham driver wins checkered flag at 2 tracks on same day
Maine boxer gets unique opportunity
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
Dechaine just spent his 19th Christmas behind bars in what many believe is a classic example of wrongful conviction. Books have been written about this case, lawsuits have uncovered hidden evidence and amendments passed to correct flaws in Maine law.
Yet those who control the levers and dials of the system continue to stonewall against a reinvestigation and retrial. Others (perhaps you?) turn away rather than risk their jobs or careers.
Besides, what difference would it make to stick their necks out? It's only one case.
Ironically, the importance of Dechaine is not confined to a cell in Maine State Prison. It is a symptom of an epidemic disease. According to some estimates, 20,000 inmates in U.S. prisons have been wrongfully convicted. Twenty thousand. And beyond our borders -- in Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and elsewhere -- people are being imprisoned and sometimes tortured without having been tried at all.
Can we really believe there is no connection between local justice and global peace? Can we really sleep soundly without taking responsibility for making sure our state behaves justly?
I hope someone within the system who knows an injustice is continuing to occur will be empowered to speak out.
It will make a difference.
Bob MacLaughlin
Warren
wordplay@midcoast.com
Reader comments
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And, sad to say, officials who talk a good game without having the intestinal fortitude to play the game outnumber the truly courageous public servants who believe in Justice enough to make it happen.
We see turkeys everywhere.
As for me, I'd rather see one than be one.
Give Dechaine a trial where a jury of Mainers hears ALL the evidence.
A smart old Greek named Plato said it centuries ago: "We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."report abuse
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