Thursday, March 1, 2007
from the Kennebec Journal
Sport of Kings
New Medicaid billing system inspires doubts among some
Christmas spirit
Guidance counselor: Dismiss complaint based on criticism of same-sex marriage
CHELSEA: 'Practice burn' provides thrill for 9-year-old
Trust eyes orchard purchase
GOLFER OF THE YEAR: Bonenfant rises up Cony ranks
YOUTH SOCCER: Local team gives 'care package' to children in Afghanistan
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
YES ON 1 BACKER REBUTS CLAIM
New system for Medicaid payments worries providers
After petition drive, Clinton police force budget will go a third time before voters
A rock musician makes trip home via Black Taxi
MADISON: After revaluation, abatement requests reviewed
Parks to have facelift
GOLFER OF THE YEAR: Sweet does job for Madison
YOUTH SOCCER: Local team gives 'care package' to children in Afghanistan
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
Sort by: Oldest First | Newest first
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
You must be a registered user of MaineToday.com to post a comment. Register or log in.