By Gale Courey Toensing
The Circle for Clemency for Leonard Peltier is organizing a peaceful and prayerful act of solidarity “to bring attention to Mr. Peltier’s continued unjust imprisonment as a Native American political prisoner,” according to Rob Fife, one of the organizers.
The event will take place in conjunction with the first-of-its-kind White House Tribal Nations Conference on Nov. 5 from 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. at the Interior Department building in Washington, D.C.
Sorry, but freeing Leonard wouldn't make the list. The probability that Obama will spend his political capital on pardoning Peltier in the midst of right-wing attacks on his presidency is approximately zero. Obama is likely to do the opposite of what protesters demand to prove he's not a "radical."
For more on the subject, see Peltier: Obama's Political Prisoner and Peltier Denied Parole Again.
5 comments:
"The probability that Obama will spend his political capital on pardoning Peltier in the midst of right-wing attacks on his presidency is approximately zero."
I don't think there's any political capital involved. Rush Limbaugh probably thinks that Leonard Peltier is the guy who played Dr. Spock in "Star Wars".
I think what might be more likely is a big row with the the FBI over this.
Pres. Obama could do something like grant clemency because Peltier has been in a very long time, has been a model prisoner, and does not seem likely to recidivate at all. This is much more grounded in reality and sensible than the "Circle for Clemency"'s assertion that Peltier is innocent.
You're ignoring how causes get publicized in the Fox News era. If FBI agents object to clemency, they'll make sure Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Beck, Hannity, et al. hear about it. These people will quickly become "experts" on Peltier's case and use it to bash Obama.
That's roughly what happened in the "death panels" case. Neither the public nor the pundits knew anything about this obscure provision until someone brought it to light. Then the right wing fanned the flames over it until it became a nationwide "cause célèbre."
Except the death panels thing was part of a current issue, current legislation.
I don't see a Peltier clemency having much "legs" unless he gets appointed as a czar or something.
I have been there since day one. I have never believed Peltier did anything as the FBI was crooked as hell back then. They failed in their job to protect native members and took sides against members of the tribe.
Only hope will free Leonard right now. If Obama wants to free him, then politically it would be done in his second term. Same for legalizing Pot. The hatred in this country would explode if Leonard were freed now and we know the results of the hate mongers. I really wish Obama would go and talk to Leonard himself and they could work out something to get him out. It has been way too long for Leonard, his health is breaking down and he needs to be home with his people for love and support.
I have yet to be convinced of Mr. Peltier's innocence, but from a political justice point of view, he has been in in a lot longer than some who have done far worse than what he was convicted of.
I would add Sandy V's "his health is breaking down and he needs to be home with his people for love and support." to what I said earlier about possible clemency reasons.
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