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** UPDATED AMNESTY BLOG 30/9**
** NEW AMNESTY BLOG 28/9 16:40**
**DEATH ROW PICS UPLOADED TO AMNESTY BLOG 28/9 00:06**
**AMNESTY BLOG UPDATED 26/9, 22.13**
**AMNESTY BLOG UPDATED 26/9**
and there's an article I wrote for the guardian here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/sep/25/troy-davis-keane
We've just finished another great tour, the last of this album cycle, but I've got one more trip planned - I'm heading to Washington D.C,, then to Georgia to visit Troy Davis on death row. I'm going with Alistair Carmichael MP and a representative of Amnesty International. I'll be keeping another photoblog here, so you can follow the trip. I know a lot of Keane fans have signed up to Amnesty's petition, and I am very grateful. With luck Troy will soon be a free man, and the world will be one step closer to finally banning Capital Punishment.
Richard
Comments
i love richardd
Richard, That's Very Brave Indeed !...
" The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgivness."/H. de Balzac/ and " Men are like wine- some turne to vinegar, but the best improve with age." / Pope John XXIII/ Miha, wish you very enjoyable and successful week
Happy Birthday to Troy Davis! Best of Luck!
Happy birthday to Troy Davis!
By reading some stuff about Troy, I learned it was his birthday yesterday... Then Troy, I'm sorry to be one day behind to wish you a happy birthday but God bless you and your family... Please, trust in future since all is possible now... Seems like you have the best supports ;) you know... I wish you to recover this freedom so awaited very soon and finally enjoying life, so long as possible, in peace and surrounded by your loved ones that have been right to stick at this fight... Just as if they always knew something about guardian angels, wandering around you... And we know there is at least one of these angels, here on keanemusic... ♥PEACE & LOVE♥...
Thank you SUPERMA, you're very kind. iIwish you the same. Take good care, luv-n-hugs.
Merci Denisa! Bon weekend!
Agnes, I agree, some things are simply unbearable to read. Rachel, cést mieux écrire dans un acces de délire qu´assassiner qn. Je ne veux pas dire surement que vous etes des assassins. Malheuresement , il faut fusiller un enragé chien ou bien voulez vous etre mordre par un enragé chien?- I am a believer, so I understand the human weakness but - Je ne peux pas etre d´accord d´une brutalité ou meme d´un assassinat- excusez moi, síl vous plait.
MERCI !! (◕_◕)
Thanks Rachel ☼... Wow, your practice of French is impeccable !... Et je te souhaite également une excellente journée, ♣pleine de bonheur et d'amour♥... ☺Bisous & A+ !
Coucou Agnes! Toujours bon de lire des commentaires de gens intelligents qui savent de quoi ils parlent au lieu d'écrire un délire sans fondement.Au plaisir de te lire je t'en remercie , Bonne journée à toi Agnes et à bientôt.
Hello, here is a synthesis that is very well done→ http://www.coe.int/T/E/Human_rights/deathpen.pdf It's a clear summarization, smart and so very interesting to read for people who are too fazed or still undecided concerning this burning topic and/or maybe for helping to open mind of the youngest, notably... I don't have children but I already know the pain to lose a parent, then I can imagine the untenable pain and I think there really is nothing worse in a human being's life than to lose a child, all the more in such circumstances... Of course, some things are simply unbearable to read... So, we're all disconcerted in front of those disgusting crimes or how to find a way to canalize anger/hate, pain, and to cope with wish of revenge and so on... Then of course, we all would like to see those swines trampled on by a herd of wild animals and to be honest, it really is hard to resist the urge to see them dead !!!... As evidence as we're just beasts that tend to let their basic instinct about to take the advantage !... But I don't think Richard will accept to be the drover of this kind of beasts or also that he would have a nice look with a t-shirt appealing to death... Richard, now as you're a disruptive element, I just hope they will never see your face of raving lunatic on this picture with the rubber ring (you know, the life buoy) because they will never let you to come back, definitely !...
I was very busy today, so very quickly now- I am very happy , Superma that the jusice has won - at least in this case. D. Edenfield was really a very bad , trashy man. Christopher´s family and we can breathe a sigh of relief. GTG - to bed CUL8R all the best, with love you are my only acceptable and joyful reality-- yours ...g.night
oooops,sUperma My one-track mind is guilty for the omission of one letter or was it just Freudian slip? Won't you at least buy the deluxe edition of Hopes and Fears?;) Don't just go away with empty hands. You won't regret it. Your children will like it too.
you know what, you're right. he'll never answer the questions...... Denislavia, lord_byron (the girl!), Keanefantoo, Andrea, Very Keen, and also Mihajasoa & Johanna too (and if i left anyone out i'm sorry).....but you all were wonderful to "talk" to, even the ones i didn't agree with. it was great conversing with all of you and hearing opposing view points to what i believe. quite refreshing actually, i always love it when people are passionate about something, anything. it means they care. i won't be back on this website regularly anymore (maybe i'll check in every once in a while) but i wish all of you the best that life has to offer, and a bright & fun future for you and your families! luv-n-hugs SUPERMA
that's SUPERMA, Einstien. ..... i figure if all of these wonderful people on here have time to read each other's comments and offer our own opinions and viewpoints, then Richard could take a little time out to answer the two questions i posted earlier. i don't know know anything about his band or his fame, i'm sure he's talented and busy though (from what i've heard from his fans) But if he can try to free a convicted killer back onto the streets of MY hometown, then he can at least answer the two questions. a few of these people that have been leaving comments here would also like to know.
SPERMA -if you have information that this man is innocent, then pass it to Amnesty International. Rich is a kind of free-will Embassador. He has a new album to work on now. I can't wait for it.
hello all, this is an update on the other death penalty case going on down here, south of savannah iin brunswick, georgia. the jury has given the first of the 3 people charged w/molesting and murdering a six year old boy the death penalty. .this was my second question for richard, would he also try to get this man life in prison or say he's innocent given the facts of the case. just curious......http://www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?S=11268905
I agree with Agnes. Rich.. please more news about the Troy Davis case. Fortunately there people in the world like you who feel compassion for others. They need our solidarity,respect,support and love.You really makes a difference! Cheers from Rio de Janeiro / Brazil
Hi, Richard !... Let's hope a very happy end... I hope all will go right for Troy now and I'm pretty sure that Alistair, you and Mini-Cooper (←sorry but that's too cute♥!) have done the absolute maximum, actually !... I found an article titled «Etre innocent ne suffit pas» from Joaquim Jose MARTINEZ, a man who was pro DP just before he has to spend some time to Club Med... http://www.abolition.fr/ecpm/french/article.php?art=668 Sorry it's in French but if people are interested by his story, I guess they should find some reports in English... This is just terrifying, as evidence as miscarriages of justice exist !!!... Anyway, I miss your blog and we miss a report about the end of your trip... To end up, no matter what is the topic of this song but seems like it is something as a "coup de gueule" and so I just would like to dedicate this song to your fight, to you and Troy... http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xddo5_stretch-why-did-you-do-it-nl-tv -197_music I love it and the drummer is so cool or yet the following extended version with 7:50 of happiness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qgEhhBSyjY I think this song was released in october 75 when you were still in a baby's bed !... Well, oh dear ! Let's say I was truly very young when I bought the vinyl with the cover that appeared like this : http://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/stretch/why_did_you_do_it___wr ite_me_a_note/
Il est tard, c´est pourquoi a la hate- je suis tres heureuse que tu n´aies pas oublié ton fidéle amie. Je t´envoie mes meilleur souvenirs
Bonne nuit. Denisa. Fais de beaux rêves. Porte toi bien, à bientôt ma chère amie.
That's funny indeed Johanna. I don't mind being your ghostwriter, by the way ha, ha, ha! See you!
I want to dream with others, despite of I think when I dream lonly it is more coloured and more multiple than the reality. And the" reality is not always probable , so meanwhile I dream still and I admit my dreams are sometimes wild, that´s why I have to probably record my name on an official list of running Marathon.... I had fried fish for a dinner, I ´m listening to Green Day on the radio/ but I want Keane/-so I am going on youtube... A.B. it is very true - "we are lost as ship without the lighthouse in the dark night"..... warmly,
6 days already without an update ... aw, come on, Mr. keanemusic.com, dig out some old live blog, the one from Madrid would be appreciated, LOL!
WhoooooooooolaA ja felicidadez a todoz!!!!!!!!! :)
no updates anymore? :(
Hiya Tom!! I'm having my breakfast watching the interview... after gig in Marseille for Virgin Radio Tour Haha.. I loved it... Have a lovely day sweetie! à bientôt !
I am, untill now, in favour of death penalty in some especial cases. Of course I don't agree with innocent murder, but there are some criminals that aren't HUMAN, my God... Sometimes I feel like I'm being a monster as well and I wish I were strong as you (Richard) are to take your place and go to the end of this journey. Good luck and I hope Troy would be soon free. Love from Brazil ;**
Ok, só pra constar que eu tenho um puta orgulho de ser fã do Richard Hughes. Thanks for everything, Richard. You're a wonderful human being. I still trust people. You ROCK, boy !
Sleep Well you too! When we are dreaming alone it is only a dream. When we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality.Lots of love :)
Oh thank you very much Mihajasoa! You´re also very welcome! The funny is not only is that it seems like that we have the same point of view, the funny thing for me was, I was thinking about this things to write and you wrote them. As I didn´t had the power/mood or however this is called, maybe patience to write this all down, but YOU did it! You rule, you´re my ghostwriter, lol, or some kind of telepathy, hahhhahhaaa
pleaaaase post more things! i miss you : (! loooob you!
Merci beaucoup. Je les sens , donc je suis trés contente- je dormirai trés doucement. J´espere que toi aussi. bonne nuit, mon ami
★★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★….♪.... ♥TOM♥, WE MISS YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU ;( ........... WE DON'T HAVE YOUR NEWS OR PHOTOS FROM A MONTH !!!!! WITHOUT YOU ..... WE ARE LOST .............. AS SHIPS WITHOUT THE LIGHTHOUSE IN THE DARK NIGHT ............... AS A NIGHT WITHOUT STARS ........... AS A TREE WITHOUT THE LIGHT ........... AS A LIFE WITHOUT HOPE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ....... ► HELP US !!!!!!!!!!! ◄ ........ ............ LOVE AND KISSES FROM ……. ★ ….. ♥♥…… A.B …..♥♥ …… ★ ……. (ITALY ☼) ★★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★
Ma chère amie Denisa, je te remercie beaucoup, ça me fait énomément plaisir. Je t'envoie aussi beaucoup de baisers. Ton amie sincère.
i will definitely do that Andrea, but i'm sure he's got a ton of things going on and is too busy.
Mon cher Miha, c´est moi qui te remercie de tout mon coeur en te répetant mon amitié véritable. J t´envoie énormes baisers
Denisa, thank you for the definition you gave about what a friend is. It's a nice quote. Cheers!
You're most welcome Johanna! It's funny indeed that we had the same viewpoints. I agree with what you wrote about statistics. I'm glad you appreciated the NAACP article. It's a good one. Richard's article too. It's good to see that there are people standing for " the weak who never had their turn to speak" (Black Burning Heart, wonderful song, wonderful line, bravo!) to counterbalance the "unrelenting appetite for feeding them off", thanks to their relentless activity. You said that the eventual perpetrator might be one of the witnesses. I was indeed thinking that that person must have been somewhere near, unless he managed to flee very quickly. Let's hope justice will be done.
SUPERMA, please let us know if you hear from Richard. I am curious to hear his answers to your questions. I think that they are valid and should be answered.
hi denislavia! i have received no answers from Richard.......if he's famous, i guess he's too busy. but i would really like to know if he met with Mark McPhail's family while he was here in Savannah to hear how they feel about it all. and i would like to know if he's going to come down here to Brunswick Georgia to defend David and/or George Edinfield if one or both of them get the death penalty. i believe the trial is finished and the jury will have to make a decision of who's guilty of what crimes. all 3 members of the family that molested and killed the boy are telling different stories. anyways, i have enjoyed reading everyone's comments, especially yours, LOL! But it is always refreshing to hear other people's ideas and points of view, even if one does not agree with them. and i agree that good education from the begining is the key to a child's success's in life. the reason we live right over the county line from Savannah is because the Savannah school system is not as good as ours is and i wanted my children to get as good of an education as they could, but still live in this area. i know from reading our local newspapers that there is a lot of violence and crime in certain areas of Savannah and if a child is raised in this environment his whole life then he will live it his whole life. maybe Richard should be championing a better school system in Savannah also?! and i hope you have a beautiful wonderful day!!!!!!
lord_byron: Thank you! Have a nice day! :D
dear rachel rio brazil, congrats to brazil on winning as the olympic 2016 city! yours, lbtg
COME TO PERU!!!!!for the next tour :)
PERU!!!!!!!
Dear Thomas -You are truly a wonderful part of my life:} Have a great week ** Always on your side...
I am very curious to find out if Richard answered your questions, SUPERMA. Otherwise I think our efforts are futile here. Anyway - the most important thing is DON´T COMMIT AN OFFENSE! How can be achieved it? Maybe we have to improve the way in which children are taught how to behave while they are growing up.... At this weekend I did some physical and mental activity to stay healthy.The mind needs excercise as well as the body.The vigorous physical excercises increase the amount of oxygen in our blood and that can help us do not be too aggressive or too highly sexed or f.e. too jealous..... a little funnily? - maybe , but it is an advice of psychologists! Mihajaosa and others , I believe that : " A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway."/ Fr.J. Cummings/ My kindest regards, wishing you Total Success in All You Do, Superma
Thank you Mihajasoa! Funny, you explained most of all, what I also had on my mind. (but somehow I felt yesterday very jetlagged&tired, maybe the autumn-weather, don´t know) Well, what´s more to add, why the case of Troy Davis seems to be a matter for the eye of the public? Seven of the nine witnesses against him later recanted or changed initial testimonies in sworn affidavits and it´s supposed to be, that one of the witnesses is the real deliquent. I´m just wondering, how this person could get in the state as witness?
Congratulations Richie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Rachel: You're very welcome my friend. I'm glad you found the article interesting. I wish you a good week, lots of love.
Have a wonderful sunday guys!!! KEANE 4-ever♥
Mihajasoa:Thank you,for your kindness interesting article indeed.Explaining better about the matter.Have a good day.
I've found a very interesting article about Troy Davis's case on the NAACP site (National Advancement for Colored people).Here are some extratcs but the whole article is interesting. “We commend the Supreme Court for this just decision to step back from the brink of executing a man who is probably innocent. Troy Davis has spent 18 years on death row for a crime he likely didn’t commit. Thanks to the wisdom of the Supreme Court he will get his long overdue day in court,“ says Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP President and CEO. “It is the unjust reality of the death penalty in our nation that far too many innocent men who are poor or people of color are executed; a mistake that cannot be rectified. The Supreme Court’s decision today affirms the integrity of our criminal justice system when it works as it should,” concludes Jealous. “The NAACP along with many other groups have been working tirelessly on behalf of Troy and the MacPhail family to bring the real killer of Officer MacPhail to justice and to bring closure to both families,” concluded Benjamin Todd Jealous. Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. Supposing Troy Davis is innocent, that must be a blow for the real perpetrator who might be afraid he or she might be caught. I bet he or she will start campaigning agaisnt Troy Davis.
You're very welcome Gudrun! I just quoted a dictionary actually, you can do that I'm sure,, ha, ha.
I'm not surprised that Rich is the one who took a stand in this sensitive issue. It really takes guts and integrity to do so in the first place. KEANEFANTOO - who are you kidding? If you were a Keane fan, you would never call Mr Hughes "this Richard" and reiterate the hard times of "the lead singer" whose name you obviously don't know. You read something in the local press about Keane, Rich and the whole thing about Troy Davis. Were you actually there? Did you see with your own eyes how Troy Davis "whipped a man, shot a woman and then killed a cop"? I doubt it. Do you think that Amnesty didn't do their homework and made a thorough research before speaking up on that matter and take actions? And talking about Americans and the rest of the world with all due disrespect to foreigners on your part - just have a look on the world map and find places where Americans didn't dump their chemical waste, try their weapons killing innocent people and mess up in foreign country's policy? Maybe there are a few places left, but you'll make it up in the near future.;-) So, you have the right to act as world policemen but if a "foreigner" comes to your neck of the woods to tell you that your legislation doesn't work properly, you invade a site (where people from all over the world come to share their love for music BTW) and start showing off your Dark Ages narrow-mindedness.That's called double-standard. Left Coast - kudos for you again for proving that not all Americans are the same. Some are brainwashed by the media, some are not. Rich, if that man is really innocent, I hope he'll be home again with his loved ones as soon as possible. Good luck!
YES, I HAVE CHILDREN TO PROTECT AND THAT IS WHY I DON''T WANT TROY DAVIS OR ANY ONE LIKE HIM FREE ON THE STREETS OF MY CITY. I THINK EVERY PERSON ON THIS SITE HAS BEEN INTELLIGENT AND INSIGHTFUL, AS WELL AS POLITE.....I DO NOT EXPECT ANY BODY TO BE RUDE OR ANGRY TO MY PERSONAL E-MAIL ADDRESS. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE RICHARD ANSWER MY QUESTIONS.
SUPERMA - By the way. it is not such a good idea to post you personal e-mail address here or on any other website. You have children to protect right?
SUPERMA - I was referring to keanefantoo's statement "It's one thing for an American to be a a-hole about it, but not some foreigner." Richard has a right to speak his mind about issues in the US, just as you or I do. That was my point. That is why I quoted the First Amendment. I'm sorry I did not make it more clear, Superma.
Richard, i want an answer from you.....i see that all these people write to you but i see no personal answer from you. i want a personal answer from you......did you talk to Mark MacPhail's family when you were here in Savannah and if you did, is there a you-tube video of it? also, will you be at David Edenfield's trial to protest his possible death sentence? Rchard, i want an answer, i'll even give you my e-mail address - KELLYLWICKER@COMCAST.NET i don't want anyone else's response but i want yours. please answer my questions.
KEANEFANTOO - thank you for seeing the truth......i see and understand that many of Richard's fans are following him blindly because he is supposedly famous,( i swear i don't mean to demean him but i never knew who he was until i saw his name in our local Savannah paper.) but to want to set a killer free, in my home town, is not acceptable to me. if you really are anti - death penalty then at least ask for his life sentence because he is guilty, not only of Mark McPhail's death but also of shooting others the same night, convicted by his own peers in the jury. but Richard isn't doing this. Richard is trying to free this killer in my home town. i have children to protect. and LEFT COAST, you wrote this : Don't be ashamed, I'm a lawyer and I had to look it up, but is there any mention that freedom of speech is not allowed in the United States by non-US citizens? WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH THE MARK MCPHAIL/DAVIS ISSUE? neither one is a non-US citizen?! and if you are a lawyer you can't be too educated to have to look all this up? it's commen knowledge........
keanefantoo - so I take it you are a legal expert. OK - great. Look at the First Ammendment. It says that: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Don't be ashamed, I'm a lawyer and I had to look it up, but is there any mention that freedom of speech is not allowed in the United States by non-US citizens? As for your statistic that 35 of 50 US States allow the death penalty and it was approved by the voting booth - not so. It may have been put to a vote in some states, but not all of the 50 U.S. States. Remember, we have a system of representative government in most states, and most state laws are not enacted by a ballot of the people of the state.
35 of 50 US states allow capital punishment. The population in each state approved it in the voting booth, the US Supreme Court as ruled it legal. I think this Troy Davis is guilty and thus a cop killer. I think it's 'cute' to want a murder not to get death, but it's disgusting to want one to get set free. And that is what this Richard is trying. Supporting a guy like Troy Davis who pistol whipped a homeless man, shot a woman and then killed a cop(the second shot was to kill him) is disgusting. I'm sure police officers in the United States, won't take too kindly to Keane support of this cop killer. And if they want to ever come to the United States again on tour, I think the McPail family and police officer unions should protest against their Visa request. It's very common in the UK to deny entry to troublemakers into their country. I believe Dr. Michael Savage, the best selling author and radio host has been denied entry in the UK. Coming to the US and visiting murderers and accused cop killers is questionable behavior by tourists. It's one thing for an American to be a a-hole about it, but not some foreigner. So if the family of the cop murdered by Troy Davis has an issue, including the police officer fraternity, then make it an issue next time they try to gain entry to the US. The lead singer of Keane had a hard time entering the country.
Thank you, Mihajasoa for explaining the percentage problem so politely, I could not have done that!
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Richie Good Luck and the same for the band > :)
TOM: Whatever you decide to do this Weekend. Have a excellent one. I hope may it be filled with peace and positive changes! October Blessings to you !! Love Always,Rachel
Keane: Passing to show u some love and sharing my happiness !! Have a very nice weekend !!
«Ce qui probablement fausse tout dans la vie, c'est qu'on est convaincu qu'on dit la vérité parce qu'on dit ce qu'on pense» Sacha GUITRY and this man was particularly good at writing some very ironic quips, indeed... ♥Good week-end♥ !!!
Which reminds me of Perfect Symmetry, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life, as Tim said: an endless cycle of violence.
By the way how do you reconcile your idea of stopping violence from starting with the idea of killing someone, albeit legally ?
Aundrea, percentage is an amount expressed "as if it is a part of a total of '100' ", in other words it is not influenced by the number of people there are in a given country.
My dear Denisa, I must disagree with you about Laura being a masochist. That's not the impression her posts have made on me. We're still friend, are we, ha, ha!
RICHARD YOU HAVE THE TALENT IN YOUR HANDS AND THE LOVE IN YOUR SOUL...! THANK YOU!
Richie A good MAN!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Hi, verykeen! It is very nice to meet you just here....:) I didn´t persume that your and my ideas are totally similar. It is very, indeed very nice surprise! I agree with Aundrea and Superma of course.! !!!Laura, I think you are rather naive, I am sorry. It seems you are a masochist- you want to be murdered by sick deviatonist! Please, there are many sick deviatonists in the world that must be separated- it is, I think exactly logical!! " Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?....or what part has he that believes with an infidel?"/ Bible/ I bring my Joy and Loving Energy to your space, be blessed
Sweet Richy, you've reached your target: you've caused our values' reflection and questioning. Thank you. I love you !!!!!!!!!!
I AGREE WITH YOU TOTALLY ANDREA! We have another trial going on down here ------ http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2009-10-02/story/edenfield_calmly _says_killing_6_year_old_christopher_barrios_was_excit QUESTION: will the anti death penalty people go down there to fight for the father and son's lives? with no DNA evidence on the boy and just a confession (sounds like Troy Davis's situation!) will they all be there too and wearing shirts that say "I AM DAVID EDENFIELD"? Dear God, i hope not.
To Aundrea - I agree with most of what you said except what if that person is wrongly imprisoned. We cannot be responsible for putting innocent people to death. I don't know if Troy Davis is innocent or not, I only know that he says he is. For that reason we would be no better than any other murderer if we were to put him to death.
Good man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! juju :)
I find it delighfully entertaining to reread all these posts. I can certainly understand both sides of the story, but I have to admit that if ANY of my loved ones were murdered I would take great joy in seeing the person who did that to them die. Would it ease my pain? No, but it would bring peace to know that this waste of human flesh would never hurt another person ever again and will also no longer be a drain on our already overcrowded prisons and state/federal funds. I like what Gudrun said about Austria having a very low violence percentage, seeing as how the country is a fraction of the size of the United States, that isn't very surprising. Of course our violence will be higher, it's all relative. I honestly don't see the lethal injection as "inhuman", I find those people who sodomize, rape, strangle, stab, shoot, choke, dismember, WHATEVER inhuman. It's true, the only way to stop violence is to stop it from STARTING.
rio loves you !
RIO DE JANEIRO THE WONDERFUL CITY 2016 !
Thank you Rich .Good luck ! Karen xx
BRAZIL 2016 I WANT !!! :D
MADRID 2016!!! WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE'RE ALL WITH YOU N' DAVIS..... KISSES FROM COLOMBIA,BYE....
@Johanna: Yes, don´t worry....it was just for explanation xD But thank you very much!!! Ich wünsch dir auch ein langes glückliches Leben, Gesundheit & soooooooo much LOVE♥
Richard, it's awful !... No news from you and plus by reading some news this morning, I learned that the poor woman has been strangled in the Forest of Fontainebleau... I seem to remember that you said it's a place you really appreciate !... And here we are : fortunately, the abolition of DP isn't anymore a debate in France but this crime relaunches the debate about penal recidivism... Society has yet so much work so to cope with the dark side of human kind and each one has to wonder about a better justice but with dignity, trying to avoid some drifts or to fall into madness of extremes with intent to create the perfect society ou tout serait pour le mieux dans le meilleur des mondes like in "A Brave New World" Aldous HUXLEY... Bye-bye !!!
rich I am happy for the news and that justice was rich I am delighted by the news that justice was done and I send you a kiss and say they are the best sabrina.c (arg)
@Julia B., danke - thanks! But, please don´t write, if you should be killed, that hurts. I know, you meant it for the explanation -well, I guess-, but I wish you: ein langes glückliches Leben, Gesundheit & Liebe.
★★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★ TOM, ONLY SOME WEEKS THAT WE DON'T SEE YOU ........... AND WE MISS YOU A LOT !!!!!!! EVERYDAY, WE HOPE TO FIND IN THE WEB SITE ONE OF YOUR NEWS OR PHOTOS ........THIS IS THE UNIQUE WAY TO SEE YOU, OUR DEAR :( .......... WE LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;) ………….. A BIG KISS TO TOM ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ………. FROM ★ ….. ♥♥…… A.B …..♥♥ …… ★ ……. (ITALY ☼) ★★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★
@ dear gundrun, being the nerd that i am, i tried, i tried...(lol) @ dear verykeen, superma mentioned that she's never hear of keane or richard before but she posted some info below you can read. here are some other articles from the new york times that you might be interested in reading to get some more info: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/us/18scotus.html if you scroll down to the end of the page, there are more articles on the site. btw, i think that keane has supported a number of causes in the past as well such as rwandan aide and the war child project. this one is the more controversial ones given that it is the death penalty and something that is highly debated in the united states seeing that we are one of the two modern and highly industrialized countries that continue the practice. i just see this move as inspiring us all to be active in the ways we see fit. i haven't been active with ai in years but now i will be joining because of this. others might be moved to write letters or organize as pro-death penalty activists while some might march in a protest against the cuts in california. but i admit that the cynic in me might see it as a way to keep us coming back to visit the website after the tour is over (!) lol always, lbtg
@Johanna: I think you´re right!!! No one has the right to kill another person. So if someone would kill me, I wouldn´t want this person to be killed. Love to KΞΛNΞ♥ from germany
Richie Good Luck!!!!!!! i'm waiting for KEANE in Mexico!!!!!!!!!! Please come back >:)
Yes Pilar ... we leave of the topic. IT Is that it is inevitable to comment on the good thing that they were. Does Pilar dress them?!! I never had seen this show, I was charmed with it, a DVD like that I want of the last disc, the choir was amazing with the Perfect Symmetry, and Love is the end, Tom's voice as like in a study, beautiful, delicate and with the violins, violoncellos, that beautiful. Kisses
I would like to call attention on some bad news in brief... These days in France, a woman who was jogging has been murdered by a man who was a recidivist... The poor girl has been locked up in the car boot where she had time to call the police with her mobile phone but sadly her corpse has been found yesterday... awful and it makes me sick... I couldn't sleep thinking about her ordeal and what happened in her head in such circumstances !... Then, thanks to various clues and witnesses, the man has been arrested and has confessed the crime... In brief, he already had been convicted in 2002 to 11 years of imprisonment for the rapt and rape on a teenage girl. Sadly, he benefited from a release on parole in 2007 and so has purged less than the half of his penalty and this is where's the mess indeed !... Richard, WDYTO these serious consequences ?!... Here is what happens when justice is a bit too lax, sometimes... Then, it's not because most of us is sharing your view about DP, that we don't claim for an exemplary justice : I mean a justice who is going to do its work properly to the very end and carefully, according to each case... Of course, the man confessed that he felt a sexual urge and so on with the usual outpouring of confessions... Ok, we're gonna shoot him down but as there is an army like him behind the door, there will be still another crime perpetrated by another maniac... It's true that some dangerous pervert have to be put in jail to life, and some people will suggest that we should radically eliminate these rats... But then, it's gonna be a real mess to liquidate a legion and plus, you can be sure that it will be in vain... It's obvious that DP will never be the proper answer to end up all this kind of crimes... And actually where is the real limit when you choose to liquidate everyone for a better world ?... Take a look on history and the beginning of the fascism ! So Richard, that's why I think you're right anyway and we don't have to question your choice about defending this cause if you feel like to do it !!!
Caro Rich, le tue foto sono bellissime, grazie di cuore per gli aggiornamenti continui , sei gentilissimo !!! Vedo molto entusiasmo ed ottimismo nei tuoi occhi, forse questa vicenda si concluderà bene per Troy Davis, lo spero tanto per lui ... Un bacione a te dolcissimo Richard da Sabrina from Catania, Sicily !
Troy looks so friendly! I think he must be so happy to see all those people doing the best they can, supporting him. And I think it's such a good thing that Richard supports him, as he's a famous person, he can put this case to more attention. I mean: look at us: we all care for the case now!
I feel lots of respect for you Richie.. You could easily have said no. This is a good case and please keep in touch with them! You're doing a great job and I feel privileged to be your fan. Keep on the good work! And, er... Lookin' good in the suit! ;)
Your and Carmichael's comments in the WTOC interview are very true... What ever happened to "reasonable doubt"? I'm embarrassed for my country, that people from other countries have to come to remind us of values we supposedly hold dear, to remind us of our own history (though, in this case, I am very glad you are). I live in Illinois and we still have the death penalty. It's awful, and I have no idea why we still have it. I could rant and rant about it here but I suppose preaching to the choir won't change anything! Just wanted to say thanks again.
i promised myself earlier that i will not get involved in a political debates.. but i guess i can not hold any longer... i was very surprised to hear about rich's decision to stand against the us judicial system and defend this man..troy davis...i dont know anything about troy davis..its true...and i want to know more...and i appreciate if someone explains me the details of this case to me... all i know that there is a convicted murderer on the death row.. and for some reason mr. hughes is convinced that mr. davis is innocent and should be set free....not TAKEN OFF the death row...but SET FREE...and again i dont know the details.. and i want to know whether this case had been appealed...was it?...has anyone from amnesty international actually stated their case as to why they think this man is innocent... what kind of prove do they have other then blind statement "capital punishment is wrong"... anyone should remember the recent case of what can go wrong when you release the convicts from the prison too soon...dougard/carrido..when RIGHTFULLY CONVICTED RAPIST being paroled when he should not be....and look what he did...kidnapped and raped a child....for 18 YEARS!!!!...and why united states richard?....why not another cause?...why not help the REAL VICTIMS?...like abused women....like violence against women?...uk doesnt have this problem?...or is it too complicated and hard...and requires actually doing something other then blabbing and blogging...like donating money to women shelters?...mr schwarzenegger cut the budget here in california...many women shelters closed down..thank you gov'nor...why not help children that are abused, neglected....who suffers from hunger and poverty...THE REAL VICTIMS...or do you prefer spending your time with righteous pr**ks and likes who stand outside the abortion clinics protesting...trying to protect the rights on unborn....HELP children who is already born...i can go on and on....P.S. my applauds and respect to denislavia who did not sway and was one of the first ppl here who stated her "unpopular" opinion about capital punishment
very good richard!!! :)
Sorry, the next has nothing to do with the issue here I`m just watching on HBO the 2008 Electric Proms show and is huge!, Perfect Symetry was amazing with Chorus and everything, I`m delighted, and impressed, Big kiss ! With love from Mexico Pilar
Great man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Richie juju :)
hey keane ! today is translator's day !!! lol i'm studying english spanish tanslation ^^
UPDATE! Sorry. Uma x again!
RICHARD BLOG'S IN SPANISH > http://forum.keanemusic.com/p/14370/352964.aspx#352964 (Thanks to Euge, Oli, Patricia and Laura from Keane Argentina) Uma x
You´re a beautiful human being!!! I´m with you!!
Rich: you are a very good person. I'm very happy to be a keane fan, because you are a very good and you are very good people too. A lot of love :) ami_keaner =D keane me hacer sentir muy feliz!!! THANK YOU!!! 11 meses de keaner 30/9/09!!!
Thanks Richard!!!! me has hecho madurar de pensamiento y entorno a mi vida a decir que no solo importo yo, sino tambien las demas personas que necesitan ayuda...y creo que por eso te amo mas de nuevo GRACIAS POR TODO!!!!!!! xOxO|m!
@Gudrun : you're welcome, thanks !... Nevertheless, some ideological disagreements are thick-skinned... Or maybe that some are hard of hearing !... In any case, it's better to persuade than to impose and anyway, we can't blame people for keeping their own convictions because it would be the beginning of inquisition !!!... @Richard : now, I need to take paracetamol before connection to km... Headache !... But I'm glad you've had great fun with your friends and if you blew your mind with few discussions at the meeting... Climax !... I just hope this trip and your initiative will be helpful to some constructive changes as you wanted !!!...
Thanks for your commitment, Rich! All the best for you and good luck for Troy and his family ! I hope the justice wins! ~~~ Much love... Silke ♥
come to colombia again please!!!!
thank you Denislavia for taking the time to look at that, i am in awe of anyone who studies the law, you sound like a wonderful person - good luck in your studies, i think you will make a huge difference in the world for the good and a great role model for your children, love from us too to your family!!!
johanna, i'm sorry if i sounded unkind in any way..... i would like to correct one thing you said please.....he was judged by a jury of his fellow peers......not the lawyers, the lawyers don't make the guilty decision. ..i will be stressed very much if Troy Davis is ever allowed to walk the streets of Savannah again. Richard and his group fighting the death sentence is one thing, but to say Davis is innocent........that's a whole other story. i never heard of richard or keane until the other day when it was in our local Savannah paper and i never would have written anything at all except that it scares me people who don't even live here think he should be out on the streets. i hope you all have a good night!
Don't give up...! Nice days
SUPERMA I understand you and I agree with you. Thank you very much for articl e and video with Mark Mac Phail Junior- btw he is very likeable and intelligent.!!! He says:" Kind of, you know, who does he stand up for? Does he stand up for Police? The guys who put their lives on the line every time they wear that badge, uphold our laws, or the criminals who try to break those laws?" Unfortunately, "during times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."/ G. Orwell/ I admire you, Superma, I am mother also and I am going to study law in University, because I believe in Justice and truth. Wishing you all the best, every moment! Love and Joy to you and to your family, with warm regards
HELOISA, ISA FROM BRASIL, SAO PAULO ************ THANK YOU, RICH, for the updates and photos, thank you very much; this case is too important, indeed! Let´s see... Warm hug and all the best! LOTS OF LOVE TO MY FAVOURITE BAND! XXXXX
@Superma: well, even I might understand everything wrong, like you said, I think it was a bit unkind from you, telling me this and maybe I shouldn´t care about it: even, as you say and the victims family says, that Troy Davis is the murderer, and if he is, (on the other hand there aren´t the "last facts" at/by law) I still don´t agree about capital punishment. I don´t believe, that his execution would bring their family peace. If you think, that I have never suffered pain and that´s the reason why I don´t support death penalty, than you´re wrong. I also have a mum, who would have liked to see my ex-husband dead, for the things he had done to me. Ok, I wasn´t killed, so I can write here. I don´t think, that if he would be dead, I would live with more peace in my heart. Well, I´m sure about that! What do you think, about all the innocent persons, who were killed by law? What happened to their family? Did they got the justice back, just because they killed the wrong person? I mean, if you believe, that capital punishment is right, for the ones, who are guilty, than the lawyers who took the wrong decisions over the last year, also should be killed, because they´ve judged the wrong persons? And maybe the police-men, who are forced to have a good statistic about their work. Where´s the end, where´s the beginning? It´s hard, when somebody is killed, even more, if it´s a young person, a police-man, or whoever, but it´s not the solution to play god and kill the murderer, that´s why for me stands the institution for law. I hope, you feel better now and don´t so stressed and that´s just my opinion. Greetings from Germany
Esto es un tema de amplio debate...algunos en contra otros a favor, pefectamente de acuerdo la expresión es libre... pero lo que es seguro es que disfrutamos de la Música de nuestra banda favorita. Vean hoy por HBO Plus el Show de Keane Electric Proms 2008 aqui les dejo el link http://www.hboplus-la.tv/sinopsis.asp?ser=&prog=BBC188867. Besoss para todas y para todos también por que no, la música UNE!
Thank you, Richard, for your updates and also for the photoblog. I support your action against Capital Punishment in every way. Good luck!
What an interesting Ammesty blog Richard! Thanks a lot!
@SUPERMA: Sorry.....but I don´t agree with you. I think nobody has the right to kill another person, no mather what this person has done. Because of this it doesn´t really matter to me if he is innocent or not (but of course I hope that he is innocent!!!!) I just think that he has the right to live. Richard, what you´re doing is wonderful and I hope it´ll help!!!! You´re amazing guys!!! Love♥ Julia
yezh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're woderful Richie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! eres el mejor :)
i write capital letters out of habit because i have to use capital letters at my job all day and i forget. superma has been my nickname for over 10 years.....i AM a super ma of a 22 year old daughter and a 3 year old son. my daughter made it up years ago. i don't believe homosexuality is a deserving of a death sentence at all!! i have no problem with people who believe the death sentence is wrong.....i DO have a problem with this particular case.....if you're going to defend a death row inmate, pick one that is really innocent. i am not arguing about the death sentence itself, i'm saying Troy Davis is guilty and deserves to be punished according to Georgia law. and Lord Byron, i will read the article you refer to when i can find quiet time to do so.....i am more than willing to expand my knowledge!!
@Agnes: Guess the majority of the people reading this blog has understood the point you made. Thank you. @Lord byron: Do you think studying Voltaire is a remedy against excessive self-righteousness? @SUPERMA: What an alias! And in capital letters! What you are not understanding is that this is about abolishing death penalty because it is inhuman, feeding sentiments of revenge and no use as a deterrent for preventing people from committing crimes. We do not have death penalty in Austria, and our crime rate in % is A LOT lower than in the US! - BTW, do you think the US should enforce death penalty for homosexuality too? I bet you are convinced it is WRONG, as you know so well what is wrong or right ...
hi superma, thanks for the articles and links! have you read 'candide' by voltaire or any of his works? he was one of the most preeminent enlightenment thinkers in the western world that greatly influenced many of our ideas about justice, tolerance, capital punishment, moral being, civil liberties, humanity and free trade. you might not agree with everything but his writings deal with these larger issues that are still pertinent to our modern world today. here's a link on voltaire and other thinkers from http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ENLIGHT/PHIL.HTM. always, lbtg
THIS IS FROM markallenmacphail.blogspot.com, PLEASE READ IT IF YOU CAN:: MYTH # 1Seven of the nine non-police witnesses against Davis have recanted their testimony or contradicted the story they told in court. TRUTH #1None of the recantations listed by Davis supporters state that Davis did not murder Officer MacPhail. All but one of the “recants” state that the statements they gave at the time of the murder were typed up by the investigating officers after and during their interviews and that they signed them without reading them. What they fail to mention is that TWO YEARS later they testified in court that their statements were true. It has only happened several years after the conviction that they have spoken to members of Davis’ legal team, family and supporters that they NOW claim to have given false statements. It is transparently clear that the convicted murder’s supporters have manipulated these witnesses into saying they did not understand what they were saying during the investigation OR during the trial. Two of the original witnesses HAVE NOT RECANTED their testimony that named Troy Davis as the murderer. This has so angered Davis’ supporters that they are trying to name one of these witnesses (Coles) as the shooter. Coles was standing behind Officer MacPhail when MacPhail ran by chasing Davis. Davis turned and shot Officer from the front. Coles came back to the scene of the shooting with a female after police arrived. Davis changed clothes (even asking Coles for a shirt later) and fled to Atlanta with his sister. MYTH #2There was never any physical evidence tying Davis to the murder for which he was convicted and sentenced to death. TRUTH #2A bullet that was removed from the jaw of a man who was shot by Troy Davis earlier in the day was compared to a bullet removed from Officer MacPhail. The ballistics matched! During the latest Pardons and Parole Board hearing a Georgia Bureau of Investigation ballistics expert was present to testify about this evidence. Bloody "spotted" clothing was removed from Davis’ house after he was named as a suspect. Because of the way Troy was standing above Officer MacPhail when he executed the officer he would have received a faint splatter of blood (because Officer MacPhail was on the ground most of the splatter would have been dispersed out along the ground and not upward). A DNA test was performed on this evidence several years after the shooting because this technology did not exist at the time of the murder. The blood was so degraded (due to time) and the spots so small that the test “consumed” the sample without results. The Prosecutors NOT Troy Davis asked for this test. MYTH #3The verdict was an example of the racist court system in Chatham County Georgia. TRUTH #3The jury that found Davis guilty was majority/minority. Myth #4Most convicted criminals on Georgia’s Death Row as of January 2008 were minorities. TRUTH #4The majority of those convicted persons on Georgia’s Death Row are white males. The lone female on Georgia’s Death Row is white. MYTH #5The support Davis is receiving from celebrities and human rights groups must mean there is doubt about his innocence. TRUTH #5The celebrities and human rights groups that are asking for clemency for Davis are doing so because they oppose the death penalty NOT because he is innocent. He IS GULITY!
http://www2.wsav.com/sav/news/local/article/mark_macphail_jr._urges_ch atham_county_d.a._to_stay_out_of_the_case/18929/
joanna, you are not even understanding what i'm writing......if davis was innocent, he should not be on death row.....but he's guilty and it's been proven over and over again. one innocent person dying in this world matters very very much to me. mark mcphail's family knows davis is guilty and wants his execution to be over with, it would bring peace to them, i can send you the article if you want to see it. capital punishement is not "silly circumstances" at all. please don't twist my words around.
that's great, superma. it's good to have a healthy and vigorous debate that is inclusive of many viewpoints, yes? this is a very controversial topic and it's good to know that keane fans are diverse in their views and convictions but knowing in the end we all come together for our love of keane's music. thanks again for yours, denislavia, aundrea, johanna, keanefantoo and other diverse views in helping to challenge everyone on this difficult topic. always and forever, lord byron ;)
oh, new pics on the blog? hhhmmm, well, I was thinking maybe Superma is right, with capital punishment? at least the prisoner, even he´s guilty or not, wouldn´t suffer that much? Isn´t it inhuman to get in prison, aswell? and if you kill the guilty or not guilty person, at least it´s 1 human less on this earth. There are so many humans living on earth, who cares if 1 person more or less? And even the victim can´t be rebirth and the families also won´t get easier, with working this stupid, silly circumstances out......but, I won´t want to have the job the "legal-doctor-murder-by-law". So, maybe the next question is: why do humans crimes? Can´t they decide to be kind?
Video Support Troy Davis by Rich http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5BSPobKUVY
GOOD MORNING ALL, i just want to say that yesterday is the first time i've ever commented on line about something controversial, i was always afraid to because i was worried about mean, hateful backlash. but i have been very pleased at all of your comments, even the ones i don't agree with. you have all been so funny, interesting & passionate in your beliefs. thank you for making my first "comment experience" so cool!!!
@ Keanefantoo- You´re right. There is a glamorising evil and a mocking goudness in this World. There are inverting all human values there. The America always fought for freedom, justice , good, goodness, and that´s why I love this country and I will always despite I don´t live there. Without America would be this World destroyed long ago. Be well, with love and blessing "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."/ E.Burke/
anarchists (along with conservatives, libertarians, leftists, centrists, liberation theologists) are people too and all of them are not dangerous. that's just a stereotype placed upon those that associate with this immensly complex and varied cultural, economic, political and social thought. one might add that 'red' china is one of the biggest human rights violators in the world despite the 'leftism' associated with 'communism.' even politicians,religious and political dissidents are put to death there so i do see your viewpoint in connecting us here in the united states with china, dear keanefantoo. all in all, it's good to have some interesting debate around these issues. hopefully, we will all keep an articulate and level head and work to appreciate various viewpoints and sides of the more expansive and historical context of these human rights issues and dilemmas. good night and sleep tight... always and forever, lord byron the girl
Denislavia-- I agree anarchist are dangerous. And I think a lot people that support some of these death row inmates, like Troy Davis, know that he's very likely guilty. But they'd rather let him go free, than have him put to death. They are not only against the death penalty, but life in prison for murders as well.
no music and no politics? hmmm.. i wonder if rock and roll would even exist today if that were the case or if keane would have written "is it any wonder?" i see and appreciate your viewpoint too, my dear denislavia but i thought you were into voltaire's philosophical works? my apologies as i must have been mistaken. always, lbtg
The quote is "with luck Troy will be a free man". Like I said it's one thing to want his punishment not to be death, but they want a lawfully convicted cop killer , to be set free. Again, these anti-death penalty people will lie, cheat, steal, vilify the victim, to get even a murderer let go in order to 'save a life'. In the United States every murderer sentenced to death has the right to request lethal injection. Which sucks. Each state used to have unique ways to kill someone like in Cali it was the gas chamber, some had firing squads, some had electricution, hanging, etc. But it is now only lethal injection, unless the murderer request the alternative that the state used to offer. I like how the leftist are in a tissy about child murderers, serial killers, cop killers and other pre-meditated murderers are put to death by lethal injection, but then they'd be more likely to want it legalized for doctors to kill people via lethal injection if someone volentarily wanted to commit suicide. Japan, South Korea, 35 of 50 US states, allow capital punishment(also, India, China, practically over half the population). Of course in the US even if convicted its unlikely the person will get executed, unless it's in the south. If you want to ban capital punishment you have to let people vote on it. All 35 states that allow it voted for it. That's democracy. Imagine being murdered, the only equitable punishment, if you're an atheist is the other person dying, IMHO. You can adapt in prison, read books, listen to music, watch TV, maybe try to get a cushy prison job, etc(of course death row prisoners are in a separate area). But looking at Troy Davis, I'd think blasting Keane music in his cell could be considered torture and maybe he'd drop all appeals.
KEANEFANTOO - yes, I think the anarchists are very dangerous for this World. And the musicians should make music no politics!!!! Lord Byron/ girl/ - you write Keane music expresses the love for humanity. Okey. But the love for humanity doesn´t mean a tolerence with amoral behaviour, with murdering for satisfaction, without remorse.And lord byron, it need draw a distinction between X and Y. The death penalty in Iran, Iraq , Pakistan is used for f.e. conjugal infedility, for homosexuality , for theft.... my fondest regards to keanefantoo, and to the South of States
@ agnes, lol. you are too funny with your crazy examples. but i do see your point. you're from france, right? i appreciate you reading beyond just one case and into a larger and more broad scope of the historical significance and development of human rights in our modern world from the incredibly dreadful practice of the guillotine *yikes* from waaaayyyy back in the day and how this relates to the continued practice of capital punishment here in the united states.
I know that these examples are in bad taste but too bad !... Sorry if it's a bit harsh or crude and I even forgot decapitation, too !... Guillotines resettled on village squares would be nice for Christmas with some fairy lights... Hey Richard, you're awaited for the drum roll before execution (lol) !!!... It's just to point out how much we can be truly relieved that most of such practices have been banished since ages !... If I had a loved one who had been murdered, I would like to see the murderer stoned to death or to suffer from all these treats, and one after one certainly !... It's a so justified anger but I think anyway that the best punishment for murderers (in case of established guilty) is to accomplish sentence without remission, day after day... This slow death is not a gift, anyway ! And I guess it's better to die than to end up one's life this way... But don't forget that each one of us can be victim from a piece of bad luck followed by a miscarriage of justice for any reason (mistaken identity and testimony, false witness and so on), and that's why it's important to defend ideas like to give somebody the benefit of the doubt and to broaden the debate anyway !... A big thanks to people like Kim, Alistair and Richard who are trying to improve and to speed things up... We can't wait your full report & Have a nice trip back home !!!
again, i think the main point is to see the larger and more expansive structure of capital punishment globally in this new millennium where most 'modern' and 'highly industrialized' countries have outlawed or banned what they feel is an archaic and inhumane practice. even though there are many americans who are strongly against the death penalty no matter what, we here in the united states are similar to iran, iraq, pakistan, afghanistan, etc... in seeing that all of our countries continue the practice in this day and age.
What I find disgusting is that the drummer wants to set Troy free, when it is obvious that he is guilty. It's one thing to not want his punishment to be death, but he doesn't think a cop killer should get life in prison. Troy Davis was convicted in a jury where over half the jury members were black and it takes a unanimous to convict. This Troy Davis killed a cop who was trying to prevent Troy Davis from pistol whipping a homeless man. Troy Davis shot the hero cop who was defending the weak and while the police officer (who's wife was pregnant) was down and then fired a second bullet to murder the police officer. There are nine witnesses at a burger king, but the only 'new' evidence is that they got seven to sign papers recanting 18 years later , which is weak evidence in US courts, because it cost nothing with double jeopardy laws, witnesses being bribed, or convince that their saving a life, fading memory,etc. So they are trying to blame the shooting on the guy with no motive and no evidence, as stated in the article I linked in my last reply. If Richard's 'I am Troy Davis' shirt means that he beats homeless people and kills cops. Then in a way he is Davis, because he is terroring the family members of the police officer, by making the man who murdered officer McPhail, into a victim.. I really think Richard an anarchist, based on his desire to set the Guantanamo prisoners free. Wow, great charity. Trying to release a cop killer and then whining about prisoners captured in terrorist training camps including the mastermind and a guy who beheaded someone(or was in the room when it happened). Stick with the more PC causes like giving chickens the right to vote or whatever leftist cause celeb you posted about a year ago. I'm sure southerners would be insulted some 'limey' liberal is who I mean is only known as being the drummer in some band that had a top twenty hit in the 'hot AC' charts back in 2005. (Of course Keane is well known in the UK, but really is living off the hard work they put in touring that states, back in '05 with their one hit.) I live in the Bay Area in California, but the South really is pro capital punishment and anti-cop killers, unlike the UK.
My apologies SUPERMA. I didn't know you were answering Willie Lance's question. As for Troy Davis, it makes sense to change your story when you see it's begining to be a serious thing, but what's strange he's that he didn't realise it straightaway (shots, dead people, man hunt...) - and as for his admitting the murders, should we take it for granted ? People could have been bribed too in saying that Troy Davis admitted the murders. When police officers are murdered there's a strong pressure from society to find a culprit very quickly, which reminds me of JF Kennedy's assassination. They found Lee Harvey Oswald but still now no one is sure that he was the real murderer. Last but not least, we're all concerned for thirld world countries issues but that should not stop people for being concerned for other issues. I remember that the band care for chickens. That's a good thing. The poor chickens end up becoming blind in those battery farms.
Richard, I wonder if you are over there to defend Troy's case or for taking part in a fashion show... l ♥ the interview of The New Avengers and by the way, WDYTO the return of public executions like hanging or some delightful dismemberments like "to be drawn and quartered" and why not emasculation in order that people can come back home satisfied with some souvenirs as the ears and tail... I think it would be fun and a real progress for humanity !!!
indeed, denislavia. i see that you mention voltaire quite a bit. that makes me think that the band and actions like what richard is doing really goes along with the lyrical content of 'perfect symmetry' if read through a humanist lens. of course, others might see it differently which is fine but i recall tim mentioning something about the love for humanity expressed in this album and also in some other threads on the forum in noting that it's really about the love for humanity despite all of our faults and how we all might improve the conditions of our existence and livelihoods for the self and for others regardless of country, race, religion, authority, etc... good night and sleep tight. always and forever, lord byron the girl
SUPREMA I am not an American, but I love America/ US/ and all fair Americans!! I think the most important thing it is the development of moral sense of human being and of moral values of society because we don´t live on an animal farm !!!!! With love and fondest regards, Kudos to you, Suprema!
it's all good, superma. you have a good night too. always, lbtg
i apologize for saying "the great thing about being an american", when i just realized that most of these wonderful people are from other countries!! have a good night everyone......
i appreciate that there is a diversity in opinions on this topic so thank you for your thoughts. i think someone mentioned that the point is that it's not just about troy davis. it's about the inhumanity of the death penalty and how the united states and japan are the only two remaining so-called modern and highly industrialized nations in the world that still use what many feel is an arcane and inhumane system of punishment. there's also some interesting writings from voltaire about this from back in the day. thanks! always and forever, lord byron the girl
and Gudrun, It always leaves me speechless when I am confronted with people who are so damn NOT sure about what´s right or wrong, true or false. These are the people who end up in prison! and I won't get into a situation where i am innocent and nobody believes me because i will never break the law because i AM sure about what's right and wrong!!! Mihajasoa - i think a person in Davis position who admitted it to people early on would probably change his story once it sank in how serious all this was. and i would tend to believe the witnesses' first stories that were fresher on their mind. in that article i referred to, it was pointed out that they might have recanted because they got paid or got threatened, both are possibilities. just my opinion.
i wasn't reminding any one of Troy Davis's conviction......in my first comment i refer to an article that KEANEFANTOO had posted in his/her previous comment. if you read that article and then scroll down to it's comment section, the second comment, Willie Lance asks in his third sentence "when was Troy Davis convicted of shooting Michael Cooper?" (the guy he shot at the get together he was at before he crossed paths with Mark McPhail) and i was just saying he was convicted of both crimes on the same day. and it's nothing personal at all.....that's the great thing about being an American, being able to express ourselves!
SUPERMA: Thanks for reminding us of Troy Davis's conviction, I think every one knows he's been convicted. As for the supposed confession he made to a friend, who apparently had no qualms in giving him away, or to a cell mate -which btw doesn't sound consistent, I mean why should someone claim his innocence on the one hand, and make confession on the other ?-I don't think it has any legal value but I'm not a specialist. What's more, it's a good thing that people are not convicted on that kind of confessions because anyone can say anything. We need more subsanstial proof than hearsay if we want to live in a fair country or world. Nothing personal.
It always leaves me speechless when I am confronted with people who are so damn sure about what´s right or wrong, true or false. I really do hope you never get into a situation where you are innocent and nobody believes you.
and i agree with Aundrea too about spending money and energy on the many other more meaningful causes out there needing to be worked on in this world. i support capital punishment also but i think if you want to defend it, find the right person to use. i think it would be great if Richard could talk to Mark McPhail Jr. while he's down here and hear how it was to be raised with out a father. and Mark Sr's widow living without her best friend and "was supposed to be" life long partner. if i thought even for a second that Davis was innocent, i certainly wouldn't want him to die. just because you don't agree with capital punishment doesn't mean Davis is innocent. what i wonder is this......if Davis was in prison for life instead of being on death row, would all this be going on? would people be coming from other countries to try to prove his innocence? i bet they wouldn't. i bet there wouldn't be any controversy and he'd be sitting in prison for the next 40 or 50 years, being what he is....GUILTY.
sorry, i just realized i was typing in all caps! i'm sure Richard is a great guy, i just feel he's defending the wrong death row inmate.
I DIDN'T MEAN TO OFFEND ANYONE EITHER, AND I'M SORRY IF I DID, I WAS JUST MAKING REFERENCE TO THE T-SHIRT RICHARD IS WEARING THAT SAYS "I AM TROY DAVIS" (WHEN I SAID "THUG")..........I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW ANGRY IT MAKES ME TO HEAR ANYONE DEFENDING THAT CRIMINAL.......OR WEARING THAT T-SHIRT. I LIVE RIGHT OUTSIDE OF SAVANNAH AND IT IS A HUGELY SENSITIVE ISSUE DOWN HERE. EVERY TIME I HEAR THAT DAVIS GETS A STAY OF EXECUTION I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK ABOUT MARK & HIS WIFE, KIDS AND FAMILY AND THE FACT THAT MARK DID NOT GET A STAY OF EXECUTION. AND I DON'T CARE IF DAVIS HAS SUPPOSEDLY "CHANGED" OR BECOME "A NEW MAN" IN PRISON.......HE WAS CONVICTED OF A CRIME THAT HE ADMITTED TO COMMITTING. REMEMBER CARLA FAYE TUCKER? SHE TOTALLY CHANGED IN PRISON BUT STILL GOT THE PUNISHMENT SHE WAS DEALT. AS SHOULD DAVIS.
Your a kind man, Richard. With a very big heart, but I think that this cause is really misguided. I certainly hope I didn't offend anyone, and I do sincerely apologize if I did.
Speaking of "Keane Bandwagon" what ever happened to all that money that was raised to put an ammendment in ASDA's stockholders packets? Hmmmm...did all that money you raised make a damn bit of difference? Doubful, all of those funds should have been sent to War Child instead.
I have to admit I really agree with SUPERMA. I knew nothing about this man or his trial, but after reading several articles on this case, I am appalled that anyone would want to defend this man. I think too many people are just jumping on the "Keane Bandwagon" and supporting this case, because Richard feels it's important, where as, I do not. I think with all the other travisities that happen in this world, this ranks pretty much at the bottom. Why not spend the time, energy and money on the refugee's in Africa and Asia? What about the children of Rowanda? Why aren't these issues brought to more attention? Don't waste your time or energy on this man, he made his choices and he is being punished for them. And yes, I am FOR capital punishment. The other people who are from other countries and are pointing their fingers at the US should look at their own history and legal systems before accusing us of having an inhumane justice system. Just my opinion.
..... but I believe Richard isn´t a THUG!!!
@ SUPERMA - I agree with you!!
Wonderful photoblog, Richard. Thanks for doing this.
Good luck and Thanks for the example Richard!!
IF YOU "ARE TROY DAVIS" YOU WERE A THUG, STILL ARE A THUG AND WILL ALWAYS BE A THUG. IF YOU "ARE TROY DAVIS" YOU ARE A DRAIN ON SAVANNAH TAX PAYERS. PLEASE RE-READ THIS ARTICLE POSTED BY "KEANEFANTOO" ON SEPT. 28TH. http://savannahnow.com/node/597187 TROY DAVIS WAS CONVICTED OF SHOOTING MICHAEL COOPER THE SAME DAY HE WAS CONVICTED OF SHOOTING MARK ALLEN MCPHAIL, AUGUST 28TH, 1991. HE CONFESSED TO A FRIEND BEFORE HE WAS ARRESTED THAT HE DID IT, AND THEN HE CONFESSED TO HIS CELL MATE WITH THE SAME STORY. ARE YOU VISITING MARK ALLEN MCPHAIL'S FAMILY TOO? THEY ARE THE VICTIMS HERE.
-------http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=18433
I must confess to feeling my compassion for the son of murdered father/ R.I.P./- Mark MacPhail.
THANKS RICHARD FOR THIS OPORTUNITY TO MAKE SOMETHING. PLEASE DON'T STOP NEVER TO DO IT. THANKS FOR MAKE THE WORLD A LITTLE MORE BETTER EVERYDAY. KISSES AND GO ON
“But groundless hope, like unconditional love, is the only kind worth having.”
Too keanefantoo: you say Troy Davis is a confessed murderer and that "...he shot another man in his killing spree". Where is his confession? And is there evidence of his shooting that other man ?
boys: i actually love you so much!!!!
it's my birthday!!!
You are up to great thinhg, Richard. You still have my support all the way! I've praying for you, and Troy! You are really makinga differnce
--http://www.wtoctv.com/global/story.asp?s=11213718
----------> http://www.wtoc.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4166450 &h1=Rock%20band%20visits%20Savannah%20for%20Troy%20Davis&vt1=v&at1=New s&d1=227266&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=41893207
que bueno es apoyar esta causa, hace poco supe de ella, para ser honesta cuando Richard empezo a publicar sobre esto, realmente cuando lei la historia de Troy Davis llore, al ver la impunidad de cierto modo corrio por mi y me recordo la manera en la que no solamente en USA, sino tambien en MEXICO se viven infinidad de estos casos, donde no cabe la cordura donde tal vez nos llenamos de odio e inclusibe la impunidad llega a nuestros corazones debido a que aqui si deces algo simplemente desapareces de la faz de la tierra, y es aqui en estos acasos cuando debemos de unirnos ser uno solo, por la humanidad, por los años y por la vida y el reseto de todos! basta a la violencia, basta a la corrupcion y basta a los malos entendidos somos humanos no animales! y bendiciones a Richard por todo lo que hace en este caso necesitamos mas personas como el por eso te amamos ♥!!!!! xO'm!
oh Richard!!!! Good luck!!!!! Chile´s love you 4ever!!!
That's fantastic, Richard !... It doesn't matter if the picture is not so good because it's foremost a red-letter day and epic anyway !... And you all look so happy that we tend to forget wherever you really are, actually ! By the way, do you know what happened while you have spent your time to have fun in prison ?... Well, there was "Rock in the paddock" this week-end at the Singapore GP !!! ZZ Top, Simple Minds, Beyonce, the gorgeous Gwen Stefani, and even the Black Eyed Peas who tried to replace a F1 wheel... Woohoo !... Maybe now, you could deliver a bit of your first impressions and feelings in order to counteract some arguments... You know, we don't know much about Troy's story excepted than we trust in you with enough of love for bringing our support to your ability and understanding of the subject... Actually the problem is childishly simple because since our tender age, we all know it's rather bad to pay somebody back !... So, it's not because someone has killed (it's wrong !) that you must do the same because it's wrong anyway, too !... So, people can see clearly now why death penalty is really a senseless solution , is not doing honour to human kind and to all his moral principles, and will never do justice to humanity this way !!!
http://www.doubtfilm.com/Welcome_to_the_Death_of_Reasonable_Doubt_docu mentary_film_on_the_Troy_Davis_death_row_case_before_the_US_Supreme_Co urt,_directed_by_Terry_L_Benedict.html
riiich!, your job it's indredible =D, im so f*cking proud of you !!!!!
@keanefantoo i don't think you're getting the point, the point iis to ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY no matter the crime, not to stablish certain punishment for murderes. And even if Troy Davis IS guilty, he shoudn't be destined to die, nobody should.
Well, today I will borrow the words I´ve read of the actual Barbara Streisand Cds-booklet (she also just borrowed from somebody else): love is the answer - make someone happy. It would be nice to hear/reading your thoughts/feelings about meeting Troy Davis and what you want to let us know.
How disgusting. So cop killers should only get 20 years in prison? First Richard wants to release all the Guantanamo Bay prisoners, including Khalid Sheik Mohammed, mastermind of 911 and personal beheader of Daniel Pearl. Wow it's great to have such 'empathy' for murderers and not their victim. Forget that Guantanmo is a friggin resort, compared to a regular prison. It's good to know that Keane only wants a maximum of 20 years for murderers. So if god/allah/random chance, they met their demise in some third world country, which I would be very saddened for the most part, a feather in any terrorist cap being British and all, that they'd want only a maximum of 20 years in prison for them. Troy Davis is a confessed murderer and had legal consul. You fail to mention he shot another man in his killing spree. Troy Davis is guilty BTW: http://savannahnow.com/node/597187
Hello Richard¡ I haven´t heart about the story of Troy Davis before, I was born in 1989 the same year that this story began and I can´t even imagine the idea of living all this years (all the life for me) being crush by the thought of a programed death. I don´t know if Troy Davis is guilty or innocent but I don´t think human can have the permission of taking off the live of someone else.
Hey!!!! I´m a vegetarien too xD What you´re doing is wonderful Richard!!!! Thank you very much♥
your such an ispirational man rich :) keep up the good work! love, a fellow vegetarian.
HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...RICH,YOUR JOB IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...(I SAID THIS THE OTHER DAY...JAJAXD)...REALLY,YOUR JOB IS VERY IMPORTANT,IS FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...KISSES AND ALL MY LOVE FROM ARGENTINA...HLN_MTHRFCKR_LA KEANERA
ES GENIAL !!! ESPERO QUE TODO SALGA BIEN =) UN ABRAZO KEANERS !! : - D
Perdón la confusión, estoy muy ansiosa jeje !!! No es hoy, es el Miércoles 30 de Setiembre! Suerte!
wow richard, this amazes and inspires me to be something bigger and change the world. if only all famous people used their celebrity for causes like this, do you know how many people we could have saved? you are my hero ricahrd. you are really my hero.
Hola a todos =) ...No se olviden hoy a las 21:30 (hora Paraguay) o 22:30 (hora Argentina) depende en que país estén (relacionen horario) ,el Show ELECTRIC PROMO KEANE 2008 por HBO PLUS. O ingresen a http://www.hboplus-la.tv/pais.asp . Cariños!!! NO SE LO PIERDAN!
Hello Richard ... you are very considered, a human being who is not indifferent to the rest of the world. You are a great person! Kisses
HELOISA, ISA FROM BRASIL, SAO PAULO ********* WE ALL ARE TROY DAVIS *********WE ALL ARE TROY DAVIS *********WE ALL ARE TROY DAVIS *********WE ALL ARE TROY DAVIS *********WE ALL ARE TROY DAVIS *********WE ALL ARE TROY DAVIS *********WE ALL ARE TROY DAVIS *********WE ALL ARE TROY DAVIS *********WE ALL ARE TROY DAVIS *********
all my support for troy and his familly! i hope this situation is going to end right and troy will be a free man again! my admiration goes to richard hughes who is fighting for human's rights; no many celebrities would do this! thanks for standing up and making your point of view and ours heard! i am proud of you! lots of love, oana (romania)
you're amazing, Richard!!:o) best wishes to Troy and his family!
I think Troy's smile on the photo is thanks to the support wonderful people like you Richard bring him. He knows some people will never let him down and I think that's what gives him enough courage to brave death row and still fight against his fate. Hope this will come to a happy ending but anyway, you will not have to blame yourself for doing nothing for him. Once more, you're the man. Kisses from Charlotte in Paris
Hopes And Fears Deluxe Edition
John Allen Muhammed was recently put to death in Virginia, No one seemed to care..,,, I didn't, even though I am opposed to the death penaty.
Posted by Left Coast on 2009-11-12 10:03:56