Troy Davis Execution Sparks Debate and Outrage
JACKSON, Ga. - According to CNN.com, the state of Georgia executed Troy Davis via lethal injection on Wednesday, Sept. 21. Davis was convicted in 1991 for the 1989 murder of a Savannah, Ga. police officer who was off duty at the time. Throughout Davis' trial, there was lack of DNA and any other physical evidence linking him to the murder. Seven out of nine eyewitnesses who were called to testify against Davis recanted or changed their stories as well. The execution has sparked not only national, but worldwide debate about the legality and morality of the death penalty. Many have taken to their Twitter accounts to express outrage over the decision, claiming that the execution only happened because Davis was an African American man. Davis' attorneys submitted last minute appeals and requests to stop the execution but were denied. Some high profile Davis supporters, such as former President Jimmy Carter, have stated that they hope the execution will spark a public rejection of the death penalty.
U.S. Hikers Freed by Iranian Government
On Sunday, two American hikers that were held captive in Iran returned home, according to CNN.com. Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer were held in an Iranian prison for two years as accused spies for the United States. Fattal and Bauer said that they accidentally crossed over the Iranian border while visiting a tourist site in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. Both were given eight-year prison sentences that they appealed while serving time. A third American, Sarah Shroud, was also taken with Fattal and Bauer but was released one year ago due to a medical issue. Fattal and Bauer were released Wednesday, Sept. 21 and then flown to Muscat, the capital of Oman, where they were able to enjoy their newfound freedom. Their release comes one day before Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech before the United Nations. CNN.com reported that the bail for each man was set at $500,000, totaling $1 million, and was paid by the Omani government.
Ahmadinejad Speech at UN Causes Walkout
UNITED NATIONS – CNN.com reported on Thursday that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech at the United Nations caused a massive walkout. The delegations from several European nations including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom walked out on Ahmadinejad's speech. Delegations from Canada and Israel were not present for his speech at all. The evening before his address, Ahmadinejad claimed Iran was "a new model for life to the world." During Thursday's UN address, Ahmadinejad made statements that blamed the United States for many of the world's problems such as the current financial crisis. Ahmadinejad also made accusations that the U.S. has been heavy-handed with its military spending and criticized the U.S. for dominating the world's "policy-making establishments." He further said that the September 11 attacks were "mysterious" and a pretext for war against Afghanistan and Iraq. The evening before Ahmadinejad's address, he was part of a question-and-answer session with students and professors and students from Princeton, Fordham, Hofstra, Columbia, New York University, and other schools. The event was invitation only and those in attendance said that the mood throughout was positive.
Jaycee Dugard Sues the Federal Government
On Thursday, Jaycee Dugard filed an official complaint against the federal government according to CNN.com. Dugard was kidnapped in front of her house in 1991 when she was only 11 years old. For 18 years, she was held against her will at the home of Phillip and Nancy Garrido, where she subsequently gave birth to two children. Dugard lived in a hidden compound made of sheds and tarpaulins in the backyard of the Garrido home in California. The complaint has been filed after the U.S. government reportedly twice rejected Dugard's requests for private mediation regarding damages accrued during her 18 years as a kidnapping victim. In the official complaint, Dugard is seeking compensation for "failures to track down the man who held her captive." In a press release, Dugard said that she is not looking to receive money for herself or her children, but for her non-profit organization The JAYC Foundation, which seeks to help families recover from kidnappings and other traumatic events.
Campus Republicans Bake Sale Creates Controversy
The University of California Berkeley's Campus Republicans caused a stir with the announcement of their bake sale pricing system according to CNN.com. The prices of the baked goods are based on the customer's race, not the individual item. For white men goods are $2.00, for Asian men $1.50, for Latino men $1.00, for African American men $0.75, and for Native American men $0.25. For all women, $0.25 will be taken off the original price. President of the Campus Republicans, Shawn Lewis, said that the pricing system is meant to call attention to pending legislation in California that would allow that state's universities to take an applicant's race or national origin into account when selecting incoming students. Author of the book "White Like Me: Reflections on Race From a Privileged Son," Tom Wise called the bake sale a "sarcastic and smarmy slap at people of color." Lewis said that he expected some sort of negative reaction to the event, but intended to host the bake sale as planned yesterday.
