PRESS RELEASE

WASHINGTON / June 18, 2013 – A national opinion survey reveals a substantial majority of persons believes the presumption of innocence is fading from the American criminal justice system. Two-thirds – 67% -- of persons participating in a recent survey affirmatively answered the question, “Do you believe the presumption of innocence is being lost in our nation’s legal system?”

The finding comes from a broader probe of Americans’ views of the criminal justice system and the role of prosecutors in the system. The survey is sponsored by the non-profit, non-partisan Center for Prosecutor Integrity.

Worries about the loss of the presumption of innocence are more pronounced among lower income than higher income persons (69% vs. 64%); and among persons 50 years and older compared to younger respondents (69% vs. 60%). Republicans and Democrats have nearly identical rates of concern: 72% vs. 71%, respectively: http://www.saveservices.org/prosecutors/findings/

Link here. Excerpt:

'Minority men face certain health challenges. Black men have a high risk of dying from heart disease. Latino men are diagnosed with AIDS three times as often as white men. But men can do things that can protect their health. Most health plans cover recommended preventive services like screenings at no cost under the health care law.

Dr. J. Nadine Gracia is HHS’ deputy assistant secretary for minority health.

“Screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol and HIV, are some of the main tests that will let you know if you’re still on the path toward great health.”

Taking your health into your own hands also means eating right, being active, and talking about your health with your loved ones.'

Story here. So, any wonder men get the impression their lives simply are not valued as much as women's? Seems like as good idea as this gender-specific, woman-only free test may be, at least during Men's Health Month, they might also want to offer free PSA tests, too. Or do something, anyway. Excerpt:

'AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Last Saturday, The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Amarillo’s Breast Center For Excellence teamed up with United Supermarkets to offer free mammograms to women shoppers.

Through a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas grant, uninsured women over the age of 40 are eligible for a free mammogram as long as they are Texas residents, have a valid photo ID, and can provide income verification or proof of assistance.'

I think contacting United Supermarkets and reminding them that they seem to have forgotten half the population with this freebie and during this particular month, no less, is warranted. Like many people, possibly they never even heard of Men's Health Month. Anyway, contact info is here. Apparently this mammogram-fest is to be held on June 18 in Canyon and on the 19th at their Washington Street location in Amarillo. So there's time to advise them of their omission and give them a chance to do something positive specifically for men's health-- like they're doing for women's. Please be polite; inform them June is Men's Health Month and indeed, that their male customers' money is as green as their females', so really, doesn't it make business sense in any case to play up to *everyone* rather than just half the consumer base?

Article here. Excerpt:

'AFP - Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's attempt to marginalise the opposition by claiming it would change abortion rights and sideline women has backfired with a poll on Monday showing male voters are deserting her.

Gillard, the country's first female leader, last week reignited a simmering gender war by saying in a speech that government would be dominated by "men in blue ties" should opposition leader Tony Abbott assume office in September elections.

"It's a decision about whether, once again, we will banish women's voice from the core of our political life," said the embattled prime minister in the speech, desperate to shore up waning support.'

Article here. Excerpt:

'A Florida man was beaten, robbed, forced to strip naked and abandoned on the side of a road Friday evening during a first date gone horribly wrong, according to police.

Authorities found nude, bloodied Shaun Paul Williams, 34, walking on the shoulder of State Road 100 in Bunnell, Fla., late Friday near a cow pasture where Williams said he was assaulted and mugged by his date and her two unidentified male companions earlier that evening, according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office case report.

Williams told sheriff’s deputies that he met the unidentified woman at a convenience store in Daytona Beach, Fla., two weeks ago. They struck up a friendship and later arranged to go out on June 14, according to the report.'

Article here. No mention of the 600-lb. gorilla in the room-- predictably. Excerpt:

'The marriage rate is at its lowest point in more than a century, and the number of marriages across the USA fell more than 5% during the recession. But a new analysis projects that pent-up demand and the large population of marriage-eligible Millennials, ages 18-34, means more will be headed to the altar over the next two years.

Cultural changes about whether and when to marry, the fact that two-thirds of first marriages are preceded by cohabitation and the recession's financial fallout — including unemployment and underemployment — fueled the wedding decline. Projections from the private company Demographic Intelligence of Charlottesville, Va., says the signs are right for a temporary boost in weddings.

The company projects a 4% increase in the number of weddings since 2009, reaching 2.168 million this year; 2.189 million in 2014. Depending on the economic recovery, the report projects a continuing increase to 2.208 million in 2015.'

BACKGROUND: Maine Prosecutor Mary Kellett was found guilty in December of violating 7 different counts of prosecutor ethics: http://1.usa.gov/18QVdaY. Her case has now been sent to the Maine Supreme Court to decide her punishment.

But back on the farm, it's BUSINESS AS USUAL -- to this day, Kellett continues her usual prosecutorial duties in Ellsworth, Maine.

We don't allow corrupt cops to stay on the beat. Contact D.A. Carletta Bassano TODAY, tell her to REMOVE Mary Kellett from her duties until the final Supreme Court ruling.

Email: carletta.bassano-at-da7.org
Telephone: 207-667-4621

More info: http://www.saveservices.org/camp/intolerable-injustice/

Article here. Excerpt:

'This Sunday, one group of kids across the country will be giving their fathers ties, sports gear, homemade art, or some other tokens to express their appreciation on Father's Day. Unfortunately, there will be another group of kids for whom the holiday is a painful reminder that they don't have a relationship with their fathers.

Why do a growing portion of kids in America have no active father in their lives to celebrate this weekend?

According to Dr. Helen Smith in her new book, Men on Strike: Why Men are Boycotting Marriage, Fatherhood, and the American Dream -- and Why it Matters, one reason is that society is stacking the deck against men, causing many to go "on strike" from traditional responsibilities. These men aren't just lazy, but instead are making choices based on incentives.

Smith writes, "Most men are not acting irresponsibly because they are immature or because they want to harm women; they are acting rationally in response to the lack of incentives today's society offers them to be responsible fathers, husbands and providers."

Smith argues that feminism has gone too far, creating a feminized world of female privilege, where men no longer are treated as equals. She cites examples of men opting out of college, marriage, and fatherhood.

Much of the popular literature today on men focuses on the lack of men growing up. In Manning Up: How the Rise of Women Has Turned Men into Boys, Kay Hymowitz argues that a new period of extended adolescence has emerged in the 20s -- a "pre-adulthood" stage. An image of a 25-year-old guy in his parent's basement playing a video game quickly comes to mind.'

I just saw a typical "dumb dad" TV spot for Hotels.com in which a father arrives at a hotel in the woods with his wife and kids. The hotel that he chose from a brochure turns out to be in ruins, and he gets chased around by a bear. Meanwhile, mom is in the SUV with the kids and smugly dismisses dumb old dad before looking up a room on Hotels.com which turns out to be much better. What a wonderful tribute to dads on Father's Day. I certainly won't be looking up hotels on Hotels.com.

Article here. Excerpt:

'In April Breitbart News reported that West Virginia 8th grader Jared Marcum was suspended for refusing to take off an NRA t-shirt he wore to school. And details now indicate the 8th grader could face a $500 fine and up to a year in jail for obstruction charges.

Fox News reports that on June 13 Marcum appeared before a judge "and was officially charged with obstructing an officer." Moreover, the judge has allowed "the prosecution to move forward" with its case against Marcum.

Logan City Police officer James Adkins says that Marcum refused to quit talking when asked to remove the shirt. The officer said this hindered his ability to do his job.

Marcum's father remains confident and stands by his son: "Me, I'm more of a fighter and so is Jared and eventually we're going to get through this. I don't think it should have ever gone this far."'