Dear Family and Friends,<\/p>\n
The General Convention is a window into the Episcopal Church.<\/p>\n
The exhibit hall is one example.\u00c2\u00a0 We see the foolish expenditure of lavish booths — some with piles of silver and gold chalices costing thousands and thousands of dollars — displayed in architecturally marvelous booths.\u00c2\u00a0 There are also booths of indigenous people around the world selling various items to support their very lives.\u00c2\u00a0 There are a few progressive movers and shakers — troublers of Israel — who want justice to flow in every direction.\u00c2\u00a0 And sales of Bishop’s Blend Coffee to help poor coffee farmers.\u00c2\u00a0 Publishers sell mostly expensive books on prayer, bible study, and self improvement.<\/p>\n
The debates have been thoughtful and generous — as far as I have seen.\u00c2\u00a0 Bobby Dellelo has covered the House of Deputies.\u00c2\u00a0 I am now in the House of Bishops as they debate the possibility of studying possible liturgies for blessing same gender couples.<\/p>\n
I fear that the General Convention will — inadvertently — condone torture INSIDE American jails, prisons, and immigration detention centers.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 The unintended consequences of C020’s silence on torture in America is, in fact, condoning torture in America.<\/p>\n
Here is the current resolution against torture — C020.<\/p>\n
CURRENT VARIANT
\n\/Resolution:\/\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 *C020*
\n\/Title:\/\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 *Condemnation of Torture*
\n\/Topic:\/\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 *Human Rights*
\n\/Committee:\/\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 *09 – National and International Concerns*
\n\/House of Initial Action:\/\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 *Deputies*
\n\/Proposer:\/\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 *Diocese of Newark*<\/p>\n
————————————————————————<\/p>\n
\/ Resolved,\/ the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General
\nConvention condemn the use of torture and the practice of extraordinary
\nrendition by the United States and any government, individual or
\norganization in any location in the world; and be it further<\/p>\n
\/Resolved, that Episcopalians shall not engage in, order, or assist in
\nthe torture of any human being, and shall not counsel the use of torture
\nfor intelligence gathering or any other purpose; and be it further\/<\/p>\n
\/Resolved, that lawyers who are Episcopalians and dioceses are urged to
\nprocure or provide pro bono legal counsel to help defend any
\nEpiscopalian in military, police, civilian governmental or contractor
\nservice who faces discharge or disciplinary action for refusing to
\norder, engage or assist in torture, or for refusing to approve or to
\nprovide counsel justifying the use of torture for any purpose, or who
\nfaces discharge or disciplinary action for exposing such practices; and
\nbe it further\/<\/p>\n
\/Resolved\/, That the General Convention call upon the United States
\ngovernment, and all governments, individuals and organizations in any
\nlocation in the world to comply with Geneva Conventions and the United
\nNations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the administration of
\nJustice, enacting policies to prevent its use \/the use or torture and
\n\/extraordinary rendition both domestically and abroad\/; and be it further\/<\/p>\n
\/Resolved, that the General Convention call upon the President and
\nCongress to devise and implement truth and reconciliation-based methods
\nof accountability to make transparent to the American people
\ngovernmental practices or torture and extraordinary rendition.\/
\nMembers of the National and International Issues legislative committee told me that it does not refer to torture in our jails, prisons and immigration detention centers.<\/p>\n
—————————————————————————–
\nSo we have asked a few bishops and a few deputies to add the following phrase to C020:<\/p>\n
including American jails, prisons and immigration detention centers<\/strong><\/p>\n Sadly enough — if they only condemn FOREIGN torture they are offering silent acceptance of domestic torture.\u00c2\u00a0 They will have failed to consider Sheldon Weinstein — attacked in his cell on April 20, 2009 in a Maine Prison.\u00c2\u00a0 He was a sex offender.\u00c2\u00a0 The guards left his cell door open.\u00c2\u00a0 Guards are aware that sex offenders are often killed by other prisoners.\u00c2\u00a0 He was kicked in the groin over and over again.\u00c2\u00a0 He died four days later. Nothing new.\u00c2\u00a0 Just what happens in prison.<\/p>\n One can see Maine guards Macing a naked prisoner in the face after he is strapped into a restraint chair.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s on the web at:\u00c2\u00a0 CLICK HERE<\/a><\/p>\n A BBC documentary shows torture in jails and prisons all over America:\u00c2\u00a0 http:\/\/novakeo.com\/?p=109<\/a><\/p>\n Some things have really helped our cause:<\/p>\n Last night Malcolm Boyd gave a DYNAMIC poetry reading backed by inspired jazz musicians — guitar, piano and drums.\u00c2\u00a0 The reading was held in the Jazz Kitchen, a Disneyland bar.\u00c2\u00a0 Boyd was flying high — soft gentle poems in loving phrases — loud strident rhythms of painful subjects.\u00c2\u00a0 Boyd explained about torture INSIDE America — and recited the poem in the second attachment.\u00c2\u00a0 He wrote this poem in response to a request from Katrina’s Dream — about torture in American prisons and about Bobby Dellelo.\u00c2\u00a0 For a press release about Boyd –\u00c2\u00a0 CLICK HERE<\/a><\/p>\n On Sunday Bobby Dellelo gave a moving personal talk as one of the Consultation speakers.\u00c2\u00a0 Ed Rodman introduced him and led a question session afterwards.\u00c2\u00a0 People listened to Bobby and asked good questions.<\/p>\n Now it is late at night.\u00c2\u00a0 Time for sleep.<\/p>\n Blessings always,<\/p>\n George<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dear Family and Friends, The General Convention is a window into the Episcopal Church. The exhibit hall is one example.\u00c2\u00a0 We see the foolish expenditure of lavish booths — some with piles of silver and gold chalices costing thousands and thousands of dollars — displayed in architecturally marvelous booths.\u00c2\u00a0 There are also booths of indigenous…
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