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Letters, 11/18: Innocent at risk

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Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 - 08:47:09 am CST

Innocent at risk

The Beatrice Six are not the only innocent Nebraskans to be threatened with the death penalty. In 2006, after 11 hours of questioning, Matthew Livers confessed to killing his uncle and aunt and was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. According to Livers’ wrongful imprisonment lawsuit (LJS, March 13), Livers confessed after being told he’d get the electric chair if he didn’t. The problem is he didn’t do it. The real killers are now serving life sentences.

Since 1973, more than 130 people have been released from death row in 26 states because of actual evidence of their innocence. Furthermore, at least eight people, with disturbing doubts about their guilt, have been executed.

How long will we as a society be willing to toss innocent lives aside in the name of the death penalty, a costly, failed and barbaric government program?

Richard S. Hargesheimer, Lincoln

Responsibility of speech

Responsibility. Now there is a word that seems to be missing in the William Ayers discussions. We always hear about freedom of speech, but nary a word is mentioned about responsibility.

The far-left supporters of Ayers would portray him as just the friendly old professor down the lane, when in fact he is a terrorist who is unrepentant and never convicted. In the Nov. 13 LJS, letter writer William Swearingen calls Ayers a “so-called radical.”

No, he is a terrorist. It is common knowledge that Ayers and his malcontents bombed buildings in New York and Washington. In my book and that of most people in the country, that makes Ayers a terrorist.

Now if Ayers had served 30 years in prison, maybe I could see him speaking in Lincoln. But since he didn’t, there is absolutely no reason to give him a public forum as we would for any responsible citizen.

Freedom of speech comes with responsibility. This is a fact that the far left just doesn’t want to subscribe to. Wiser and more logical people who believe in common sense and responsibility do have a right to censor what is just not right.

Richard L. Draper, Lincoln

Rethink stand on immigrants

While not able to vote in the regents race between Tim Clare and Earl Scudder, I listened to their campaigns with interest. I found myself irritated by Regent-elect Tim Clare’s position that illegal immigrants shouldn’t be given in-state tuition. His approach is in direct contrast to “America — the land of opportunity.”

America, and Nebraska in particular, has become what it is today, in part, by people giving a hand up to others. I’m glad my tax dollars help support an institution of higher learning where immigrants can attend at in-state tuition rates.

Interestingly enough, this month’s AARP Bulletin highlights a research neurosurgeon who is head of the brain tumor center at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa entered the United States at age 19 as an illegal immigrant. He worked as a welder and painter while learning English and taking classes at a community college. Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa won a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, and went on to Harvard Medical School. He became a U.S. citizen.

Ironically, Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa’s research is focused on adult stem cells as the cause and possible cure for brain cancer, not embryonic stem cells.

I hope Regent-elect Tim Clare reconsiders his stance on in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.

Beth Hentzen, Seward

 


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Responsible wrote on November 18, 2008 9:08 am:
" I'm sorry Mr. Draper, but if William Ayers is a terrorist then so were our Founding Fathers. People should not be afraid to stand up and take action against "the powers that be". "

 Ron wrote on November 18, 2008 9:43 am:
" Bruning stated that coercive interrogation techniques were no longer being used. If that's not the case, I'd suggest that some changes are in order. The days of the rubber hose, literal or otherwise, should be long gone. "

 KM wrote on November 18, 2008 9:43 am:
" Why don't people ever remember the definition of "illegal" when talking about Illegal Immigration?? I am all for LEGAL Immigration, just not ILLEGAL!! "

 Ayers Again wrote on November 18, 2008 9:52 am:
" Thanks Mr. Draper. Not sure whether you are criticizing Bill Ayers, or the "Far Left".

You are right about one thing. With freedom of speech comes responsibility. The responsibility of truth. I conted to you and others on "Far Right", that you have a much better chance getting Truth from Bill Ayers than from George W. Bush! I know, the truth hurts. "

 Jody P. wrote on November 18, 2008 10:12 am:
" It is certainly true that one man's (or woman's) terrorist is another's freedom fighter. As to which, it depends on your point of view. If in your view communist revolutionaries are "freedom fighters", or Osama bin Laden is a "freedom" fighter, then I guess yeah, sure, Bill Ayers is also a "freedom fighter". "

 Zoomie wrote on November 18, 2008 10:28 am:
" Mr Draper - you are absolutely correct! But apparently you need to be reminded its not the far-left (or even the near left) who have given right-wing talk show host G. Gordon Liddy his own AM Talk Radio show, dispite his being a convicted felon who advocated murdering Americans, kidnapping Americans and rigging elections, and who -- ON HIS RADIO SHOW -- advised his right-wing audience how best to kill US law enforcement agents (as much a definition of a terrorist as I've ever heard)! Something, FYI, he did less than a decade ago (vs Bill Ayers "terrorist" behavior of over 30 years ago)! Yet, Republicans still praise Liddy, appear on his show, call him friend (as McCain did several months ago)! So I guess if you're worried that we're too forgiving of ex-terrorists (and FYI, that's a loaded word, since it was NOT the definition of people like Ayers 30 years ago, but a modern definition being applied to a 30 year old situation), might I suggest you start with the Republican Party and their terrorist-supporting ilk? "

 Revolution wrote on November 18, 2008 10:46 am:
" John Lennon was right. If you remember what was going on in America back in the 60s and 70s, We needed a Revolution. Badly.

Revolution against bad government is not anti-American. It's what America is all about. It is what gave us our birth as a nation.

If there were a draft in America right now, in the midst of the Bush war in Iraq, you would see an America that looks very much like the Vietnam era. Since there is no draft, there is an awful lot of complacency, which in turn allows bad government and bad judgement to just fester.

There are better days ahead. "

 Kim M wrote on November 18, 2008 10:58 am:
" Beth- You didn't state whether or not Dr.Quinones-Hinojosa became a US Citizen before or after enrolling in college. How did he enroll without proper documentation? I'm grateful for his research and YES I believe everyone should have the chance to get an education. But FIRST take your citizenship test and become a citizen and then enroll in our Universities. Get a green card and a work visa at the least then attend our Universities. But do it LEGALLY!
Kim Morsett Raymond Ne "

 Hey Zoomie wrote on November 18, 2008 11:46 am:
" You sure do like to bring up Liddy. As a conservative, I know of nobody who listens to him. I don't even know where I could hear him. BUT, I still bet he gets higher ratings than failed Air America did and failed Alec Baldwin did. "

 Nina wrote on November 18, 2008 12:00 pm:
" First, get a green card, work, and then apply for citizenship? A college professor friend recently found that after coming here from Chile legally, it took two years to get a green card, and over three years to get citizenship. Now, how is one to support one's self in the meantime? When a valuable teacher has this much trouble and expense (a lawyer had to be hired, and trips made to Omaha for every step, because the Lincoln office does none of this) to gain citizenship, how is the average joe going to do it? How would YOU go about it? It's easy to criticize, but harder to remedy. "

 Jeanne wrote on November 18, 2008 12:09 pm:
" Beth -- we are speaking of in state tuition versus non resident tuition for illegal immigrants. My son, a citizen, was born in Texas but yet wanted to attend UNL. He had to pay non resident tuition. Why should he be penalized and yet someone who is here in this country illegally reaps the benefit of in state tuition. I guess it doesn't pay to follow the laws and the rules. "

 to Responsible wrote on November 18, 2008 12:10 pm:
" To compare Ayers, who conducted cowardly acts of terrorism, with our Founding Fathers, who fought a legitimate war against an oppressive monarchy is laughable. No, what Ayers did was more comparable to the Oklahoma City bombing, or other similar acts of cowardice. I wonder if you're brave enough to make that statement in front of a family member of a victim of true terrorism. "

 what did the british think wrote on November 18, 2008 12:19 pm:
" I wonder if the British colonial authority thought the founding fathers were conducting a war against an oppressive monarchy or were a bunch of cowardly terrorists. Its all about your perspective. "

 NL wrote on November 18, 2008 1:20 pm:
" Beth, it is equally notable that Dr Douglas Kerr of John Hopkins Medicine Transverse Myelitis, research is focused on embryonic stem cells as the possible treatment for motor nerve repair in spinal cord injuries. In 2006 his team of researchers used embryonic stem cells to allow paralyzed rats to move their limbs again. All types stem cell research is needed for breakthroughs. "

 RE to Responsible wrote on November 18, 2008 1:25 pm:
" Based on your response, you are too young to remember the 1960's and you must have your radio dial turned to the far right because how can you compare what Ayers did to the Oklahoma bombing? Did he kill anywone? Did he actually set off a bomb?

I agree whole heartily with "Responsible" as he is completely right in his logic.

BTW, I lost someone in the Oklahoma bombing. Have you ever lost someone due to terrorism or war? "

 Kim wrote on November 18, 2008 1:28 pm:
" Nina- When I worked and lived over seas I had to obey their laws and get their visas. Sometimes that means standing in lines and going back numerous times ti get all you rpaper worj in order. I didn't enter those countries illegally either. I applied for and received visas and my documentation to enter their countries. If there isn't a bus from Lincoln to Omaha take the train-have someone who has a LEGAL drivers license take you to Omaha to get the paper work you need.
We have alot of immigrants working with us and and guess what - they did everything legally. Form entering the country to attending University to starting their own businesses. It can and should be done the correct way. That is why we have laws. "

 Ignignokt wrote on November 18, 2008 1:57 pm:
" I must respond to the person who wrote, " I wonder if the British colonial authority thought the founding fathers were conducting a war against an oppressive monarchy or were a bunch of cowardly terrorists. Its all about your perspective."

Wow. Throwing a bunch of crates of tea into Boston Harbor is equivalent to targeting civilians with bombs? If anything, the British were the terrorists, as demonstrated by the Boston Massacre. I hardly think the Founding Fathers, or any soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War could be considered cowards, as they most commonly wore uniforms identifying their allegiance...and their targets were military in nature and had strategic significance. They didn't target civilians because they were trying to endear the civilians to their cause, not alienate them.

Man...do a little work on your comparisons. "

 tea wrote on November 18, 2008 2:41 pm:
" The throwing of tea into the harbor was clearly an act of economic terrorism. Attacking British troops from ambush is an act of terrorism. Again, its all a matter of perspective. You are only seeing the colonists perspective. "

 Nina wrote on November 18, 2008 3:22 pm:
" You thoughts are very ideal, Kim. Only one thing wrong with them for many - they all take money. If immigrants had money, most of them would not have reason to want to be here. "

 Jeff W wrote on November 18, 2008 4:23 pm:
" In regard to the topic of illegal immigrants attending the Univ of Ne with in-state tuition I want to make the following points 1) it applies to a child who has lived here and attended our K-12 schools for a certain period of time 2) it is a child who broke no laws themselves, and had no choice in the matter 3) it serves no purpose to deny this small number of students a chance at an education - it is a win win for society and the student. In no way does it "punish" a citizen who grew up in Texas and is not an official resident of Nebraska - just establish residency here and then go to school and QUIT whining or go to the Univ of Texas, etc. So much drama about a very straight foward topic.

An in regards to Ayers - it is ultimately about academic freedom and free speech. He was coming here to talk about his area of expertise - Education Reform - to the Education department. Most of you wouldn't know any more about him if it wasn't for the election and the partisanship that followed. And - it is worth pointing out - he would have got his just punishment if the government would have stayed within the law and now used illegal wiretaps and other means to obtain evidence. Our government and its various entities are sometimes in the wrong - although I realize that is heresy and treason to say......Paying taxes doesn't give you an equal vote on running the Univerity - but apparently a few threats via email and phone can. "

 Rj wrote on November 18, 2008 4:49 pm:
" Beth, you are all wrong. The illegals should not be given a free ride. The are breaking the law in the first place. I understand Jeannie about
her son coming here to NE University & having to pay out of state tuition.
Our grandson wanted to go to AZ State, he did for one year, then they up
the out of state tuition, he just could not afford it any longer. Here his
parents are citizens, he is also, his parents, grandparents on back in years have paid taxes to this country, supported the schools yet our grandson is being penalized for being an American citizen, while the illegal come over here, are breaking the law, don't pay their share of taxes, they get all the breaks. Beth shame on you for supporting law-
breakers. "

 Ripper wrote on November 18, 2008 5:26 pm:
" Jeff W. was it about academic freedom and free speech because you deemed it so? I lived the 60's, the only reason that Ayers was not sent to prison is because mistakes were made in evidence gathering. That is the American justice system. The fact that he was not convicted on a technicality does not make him innocent of what he admits freely doing. I knew about Bill Ayers and the Weathermen from the beginning. I did not approve of what Uncle Sam was doing but fought it in the courts and through the political process-I did not build bombs or blow up buildings-I did those things in Vietnam. You appear to want to be judge and jury on this issue and if I might say just a little sanctimonious in your opinion. I would ask that perhaps you use your superior reasoning skills and try and examine this issue more closely from another angle. The reason he was disinvited had to do with security. Unless you have some terrific inside information that says donors cutting off donations or actual verifiable threats were made to the university then perhaps you again are 'reading' into what you want your opinion to on the matter to be. Had he come, I would have been there to protest according to the right processes in Lincoln Nebraska. The clear point is that I would do it legally without bombing the College of Education. "

 To Jeff wrote on November 18, 2008 5:29 pm:
" Using the public's money to pay Ayers to speak is different than allowing him to speak for free. Free speech does not guarantee the right to get paid for speaking. The University, as with any public institution, would make a grave mistake by not listening to the taxpayers who finance them. I don't give a darn about what he has to say or where he says it, as long as you're not spending my money to pay him to speak.

Also, how can people justify the methods Ayers used to voice his opposition to the government and the war (bombs and actual violence) yet condemn people for their methods to voice their opposition to the University (withdrawal of financial support and threats of violence)? Seems hypocritical and slightly unbalanced to me. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on November 18, 2008 6:16 pm:
" Zoomie loves to bring up G Gordon Liddy. There are huge differences between Liddy and Ayers. Liddy did nearly 5 years in jail for conspiracy, burglary and wiretapping. He would have done far more had Jimmy Carter not commuted his sentence because of its unusual harshness. When Ayers has paid his debt to society, there will be a valid comparison.

While Liddy also came up with some wild schemes, most of them he never carried out. Unlike Ayers, he never bombed anything or tried to kill anyone. "

 Jake wrote on November 18, 2008 6:44 pm:
" In Mr. Draper's world, there is "the far left" and "more logical people." And who are these "logical people?" Why, they are people who "have the right to censor." Hmm. And a person who serves 30 years of jail time is more "responsible" than an esteemed college professor? Sigh. Let's all hope we never see the day when the "logical" people such as he are awarded the right to censor. Now that would be a "malcontent" worthy of our fear. "

 System of Errors wrote on November 18, 2008 6:51 pm:
" Mr.Hargesheimer, points out a problem with our legal system that has been known about for years. I've been against the death penalty since I was young enough to understand it, and understand that the legal system is fraught with errors. Some committed by law enforcement by deception in the interview period. People should never be brought into the interrogation room unless there is good solid verifiable evidence that they may have been part of some alleged wrongdoing.
This may take a few years, but in the meantime I do believe law enforcement should take the word electric chair and death penalty out of there tools of use. "

 STF wrote on November 18, 2008 7:01 pm:
" Just so you know, I grew up in the Vietnam era and knew about Ayers before the election. The fact that people are still arguing about his role in the Weather Underground is disgusting. For those who say he never killed anyone, over a hundred officers and their guests were spared because the bomb the Weather Underground were building exploded killing three of their own. My memory fades, so I looked up the event. It was said that they took 3 days to find all the body parts strewn about among the rusty nails and shrapnel from the bomb. He was not going to warn anyone, he planned this to bring the war home" and "give the United States and the rest of the world a sense that this country was going to be completely unlivable if the United States continued in Vietnam." Are you still defending this man and his actions? I don't care if you nit pik or not over the words terrorist or radical, he was a monster. The people at Fort Dix were noncommisions officers, drafted, and he had no right to consider them as throw away lives for his agenda. "

 Zoomie wrote on November 18, 2008 7:05 pm:
" Gerard - as much as you and the right-wing love Ayers. But you left a bit out, didn't you? Ayers never set any bombs (yes, the Weathermen did, and he was a member, but he has always denied planting any). Ayers was never charged with a crime. He was never convicted of a crime (gee, what country is it that says "innocent until proven guilty"...oh yeah!!). He never killed anyone! Liddy, by comparison, DID commit crimes, was charged, was convicted! But worse, his guidance on how to kill Americans was given AFTER he was released thanks to a pardon from Carter. So you guys get worked up over a "terrorist" who never planted a bomb and never hurt anyone, but you cheer someone who committed crimes, advocated violence and murder, and advised how to kill Americans? I'll never comprehend the mind of a conservative!
and Hey Zoomie - you may not listen to Liddy, but since he still has a radio show, either (a) lots of conservatives are still listening to him, dispite his advocacy of terrorism; or (b) he's another right-wing affirmative action baby, supported by rich, crazy right-wing businessmen who keep their own employed no matter what (think Washington Times, a right-wing newspaper that has never turned a profit in over 20 years of publishing, costing its owner over $1 billion and climbing!). And what does Air America have to do with any of this (FYI, its still broadcasting, since you apparently didn't know that)? "

 JohnR wrote on November 18, 2008 7:09 pm:
" STF - if you looked up the Greenwich Village bomb, you also know Ayers had nothing to do with it. He was long in hiding at that point, and has always said he had no involvment, being far, far away at the time. If he was involved, why was he never tried and convicted? Oh yeah! No evidence!!! So claiming he's somehow responsible for a crime that never happened, that he never was involved with, seems to be trying to smear someone for something he didn't do...thirty plus years after the fact! "

 me wrote on November 18, 2008 7:44 pm:
" If perhaps it was easier for immigrants to get visas there would be no illegals. The majority of illigal immigrants are not from those who have illegally crossed the border, but by those who's permits to be here legally have expired and continued to stay here. I have first hand watched my boyfriend's family, all of whom are here LEGALLY from another country, year after year hope and pray that thier permits will be extended and won't be facing deportation after spending hundreds of dollars each year to go through the same process. They cannot obtain visas or citizenship due to governmental red-tape and some clause about which country they immigrated from. Becoming a citizen is not about just taking a test and speaking English. While I am not for giving instate tuition to illegal aliens, I do believe the process for becoming a citizen here should become simpiler and less expensive. "

 Zoomie wrote on November 18, 2008 8:25 pm:
" As STF suggested, I looked up the details I'd forgotten (I too lived through the '60s). The only murders committed by the Weathermen Underground was during a 1981 robbery. By that date, the group had split in two, with Ayers in the side that had surrendered and were prepared to be charged for whatever crimes they'd committed. Turning himself in in 1980, Ayers was never charged with a crime. He never tried to kill anyone. He never killed anyone. He wasn't even part of the group that did kill. People make much of him "not paying for his crimes." They seem to ignore that he in fact gave himself up, expecting to be charged and do jail time. The fact he didn't is hardly his fault.

So, this terrible, vicious terrorist...never harmed anyone. Says he never intended to harm anyone. Gave himself up, believing it was time to dissolve the group and face the music. For over 30 years he's lived an exemplary life (contrary to Liddy, who has advocated murderous acts be committed since he got out of jail). Had he not be incidentally involved in the life of one Barack Obama, we wouldn't even be talking about him now.
Oh, and more accurately, Carter didn't pardon Liddy because he had been overly harshly sentenced (his sentence was actually quite the norm for the crimes committed), but because his sentence was harsher than the other Watergate criminals. "

 Hey Zoomie wrote on November 18, 2008 11:22 pm:
" The Daily Nebraskan published a Guest Editorial by Prof. Ayers titled "What I would have said" (http://media.www.dailynebraskan.com/media/storage/paper857/news/2008/11/17/Opinion/Ayers.What.I.Might.Have.Said-3547046.shtml) that confirms he is still an unrepentant radical. In talking about education, he believes that students should be able to think for themselves, to make judgments based on evidence and argument, and to develop minds of their own. And he decries the fact that much of what we call schooling walls off meaningful choice-making, is based on obedience and conformity, banishes the unpopular, and leaves no space for skepticism, irreverence or even doubt.

The article clearly demonstrates why people such as Richard Draper, Gerard Harbison and their supporters in these posts are so adamant in their opposition to his appearance at UNL. God forbid that our tax dollars should support, and students in this state should be subjected to, such heresy. "

 Its Over Mr Draper wrote on November 19, 2008 5:12 am:
" The election is over now and Mr Ayers and even Sarah Palin are no longer issues. Sorry to have to be the one to tell you this. "

 Kim M wrote on November 19, 2008 10:39 am:
" Me- Your're very correct in stating the fact that the entire system needs to be changed. Yes it takes money but I think you should only have to fill out one set of paperwork and if you can prove that you have your T's crossed and I's dotted then approve the paperwork. There is entirely tooooo much Governmental red tape for everything we do. "

 Billy wrote on November 19, 2008 1:42 pm:
" Dear Beth Hentzen,

You are putting the priority of illegal immigrants above people that would like to come to Nebraska from Iowa, Kansas, or any other state. If we are going to have a tuition for people that are not Nebraskans lets keep it that way. The only reason Nebraskans get a 'discount' is because we pay taxes here. Think about it. "

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