Death Penalty Executions Delayed Due to Drug Shortage - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

Converted Gas Chamber, San Quentin

Death Penalty Executions Delayed Due to Drug Shortage - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

Hospira an Illinois based company suspended the production of Pentothal. Pentothal consists of sodium thiopental, which is one of the three drugs combined to create the lethal injection commonly used in death penalty executions.

Sodium thiopental is a barbiturate primarily used to anesthetize surgical patients, induce medical comas and sometimes to euthanize animals.

Hospira is the sole producer of the drug and reports that the shortage could last until next March. The company claims that the shortage is due to unspecified problems with its raw-material suppliers.

As a result of the shortage, several of the 17 prisoners condemned to be put to death by the end of January are likely to receive a temporary reprieve.

33 of the 35 states that still put prisoners to death use the three-drug approach. The remaining two, Ohio and Washington, have opted for using a single heavy dose of sodium thiopental.

Oklahoma and Kentucky have already postponed scheduled executions. Arizona does not have the drug and anticipates that a scheduled October execution will be delayed.

On September 29, after a five-year ban on the death penalty, California was scheduled to execute Albert Greenwood, convicted of raping and murdering a 15-year-old girl in 1980; that execution will likely not be carried out.

In Oklahoma, two convicted killers are scheduled for lethal injections and only one dose of the drug needed to execute them is available.

Matters became complicated for Oklahoma when the drug shortage pushed back the execution of 38-year-old Jeffrey Matthews who was scheduled to die Aug. 17 for the murder of one of his relatives during a burglary.

Officials wanted to use a substitute drug; Matthews' attorneys objected and a judge stayed his execution until October 16. Prison officials say they have since secured one dose of sodium thiopental for his execution, and they planned to use it on Matthews.

However, attorneys for Donald Wackerly, the second inmate scheduled for execution before Matthews, claim the substitute that his client will receive is inappropriate and possibly inhumane.

A judge then ruled the single dose of sodium thiopental should be used on Wackerly, who was convicted of murdering a fisherman during a robbery in 1996, instead of Matthews.

Matthews' attorneys then successfully obtained another hearing to further delay his execution, citing potential problems with the sedative switch.

What a mess, to say the least. Death Penalty Information Center Director Richard Dieter likened the mess in Oklahoma to “Russian Roulette.”

Skepticism regarding the merits of the shortage exists because of Hospira’s stance against their products being utilized in executions. Hospira sent out letters last March containing the following statement:

“Hospira provides these products because they improve or save lives and markets them solely for use as indicated on the product labeling. As such, we do not support the use of any of our products in capital punishment procedures.”

The one state not experiencing shortage issues is Texas, the nation's busiest death penalty state. Texas has enough of the drug on hand to carry out the three executions scheduled before the end of the year, which would bring its total number of executions for 2010 to 15.

States looking to avoid protracted delays in pending executions will undoubtedly face legal challenges if they seek to use an alternative drug to replace Pentothal, which is Hospira’s brand name for sodium thiopental.

Pentothal, part of the three-drug cocktail that creates the lethal injection, is designed to sedate inmates before they are injected with the drugs that paralyze them and stop their hearts.

Sources:

Rick Lazio drops out of governor’s race

photo: Getty Images

Rick Lazio drops out of governor’s race

As published on Examiner

Rick Lazio after losing the Republican primary to Carl Paladino remained on the Conservative line. During a Monday afternoon presser, Lazio announced he is dropping out of the New York governor’s race.

"My continued presence on the Conservative line will just lead to the election of Andrew Cuomo," said Lazio. "I don't want to be responsible for that. That is unacceptable."

A recent Quinnipiac poll that shows Carl Paladino within six-points of the liberal candidate Andrew Cuomo did not query the likely voters about Lazio. Polls including the Lazio factor clearly show his presence in the race siphons votes away from the GOP candidate and significantly increases Cuomo’s lead.

Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long anticipates his Party will officially announce their support for Carl Paladino.

“Right now (Paladino) is clearly the Republican Party candidate,” Long said. “I think we’re best served when we are united, not divided.”

Will Rick Lazio receive a judgeship nomination?

New York law allows three ways for a candidate to be removed from the ballot.

1. Death

2. Moving out of state

3. Nomination for a judgeship

Celeste Katz of the Daily News reports that Bronx Republican Chairman Jay Sorvino confirms that Rick Lazio will be nominated for the Bronx County Supreme Court at the party's nominating convention Monday night.

Note: A nomination for judgeship allows Rick Lazio to be removed from the ballot and does not mean the nomination will lead to a seat on the bench.

Sarah Palin weighed in via Twitter and had this to say regarding Lazio dropping out of the NY gubernatorial race, “Rick Lazio: u r Commonsense Conservatives (& other freedom-loving NY'rs) hero today. Thanks 4 selfless act 2 allow your great state 2 thrive.”

Carl Paladino remains strong candidate against Cuomo in NY governor’s race - New York Political Buzz | Examiner.com

Carl Paladino remains strong candidate against Cuomo in NY governor’s race - New York Political Buzz | Examiner.com



In a recent Quinnipiac poll conducted September 16 – 20, GOP gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, aided by a 4 -1 margin among Tea Partiers, trails New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic candidate for Governor, 49 - 43 percent among likely voters.

Seven percent of those polled were undecided. Cuomo’s six-point lead is certainly not a comfortable one and Carl Paladino remains a formidable candidate.

Note: Only 18 percent of New York State likely voters consider themselves part of the Tea Party movement, but they back Paladino 77 - 18 percent. Additionally, Paladino is favored 49 – 43 percent among independent voters.

Days after the Quinnipiac poll, Marist and Siena College polls show Andrew Cuomo with a significant lead when Rick Lazio, who remains on the Conservative line, is factored in.

Is the Ground Zero Mosque Debate a Factor?

In an earlier Quinnipiac poll it was revealed that most NY voters are opposed to the Ground zero mosque. In an updated poll by Quinnipiac, conducted during the same time period of the Paladino/Cuomo poll, it was revealed that the New York opposition to the mosque near Ground Zero has grown.

Before the primaries, candidate Rick Lazio challenged Andrew Cuomo to investigate the Cordoba Initiative’s dubious connections and shady financing regarding the purchase of the site to house Imam Rauf’s mega mosque and Islamic center.

It is in Cuomo’s purview as attorney general to have registered charities open their books, especially when the charity shows less than 22 thousand-dollars in those books and gets involved with purchasing a building for 4.85 million-dollars in cash.

Andrew Cuomo not only refused to acknowledge a reason to investigate, but embarrassingly hid behind the first amendment perverting the Constitution by suggesting it somehow protects the shenanigans of Imam Rauf and his Initiative.

The Constitution protects freedom of religion not financial impropriety.

As Rick Lazio was calling for an investigation, Paladino took it a step further and stated as governor he will use the “power of eminent domain to stop the mosque and use the site as a war memorial instead of as a monument to those that attacked our country.”

Rick Lazio subsequently lost to Paladino in the Republican primary, but remains in the race on the Conservative line.

The Quinnipiac poll doesn’t address the Lazio factor. Lazio remaining in the race will split the vote, pulling votes away from Paladino as the Marist and Siena polls indicate. Republican leaders are in talks with Lazio to see if he will quit the race and in a show of support and unity endorse Carl Paladino, the Republican primary winner.

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg Endorses Cuomo and Dirty New York Politics. KEEP READING>>

I Want Your Money Official HD Movie Trailer

I Want Your Money Movie Trailer

Congressman Meeks advocated for bin Laden ally - New York Political Buzz | Examiner.com

Congressman Meeks advocated for bin Laden ally - New York Political Buzz | Examiner.com

In 2006, during the Bush administration, Anwar Hajjaj asked U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks to appeal to Homeland Security (HLS) on his behalf regarding the scrutiny he was enduring at New York airports when he traveled to and from Saudi Arabia for the “pilgrimage to Mecca.”

Gregory Meeks, a Queens Democrat serving in Congress as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives covering NY’s 6th District ignored Hajjaj’s connections to al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden and complied with his request.

The NY Post via a FOIA request learned that in 2006 Meeks took then Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff to task over HLS officials questioning Hajjaj at JFK Airport and demanded to know why Hajjaj received "unwarranted scrutiny."

Who is Anwar Hajjaj?

Meeks described Hajjaj as “a pioneer in distance-based learning of Islam through the American Open University in Virginia.”

In addition to Meek’s letters, the Post uncovered plenty more.

Anwar Hajjaj and Abdullah A. bin Laden, Osama bin Laden's nephew, founded the Taibah International Aid Association, a charity that has been accused of funding al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.

Hajjaj is also director of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth International (WAMY) a Virginia based group that was also founded by Abdullah bin Laden.

A WAMY publication lists people who have attacked Israelis as "heroes of Palestine" and referred to Jews as "humanity's enemies," according to a 2003 affidavit by a customs special agent.

Families of 9/11 victims have ongoing lawsuits against both organizations, citing the material support to Osama and al-Qaeda as grounds for the action. The lawsuit revealed that in 1996 the FBI listed WAMY as a suspected terror group.

U.S. District Court Judge George Daniels stated the allegations against the group are "sufficient to demonstrate that they are knowingly and intentionally providing material support to al-Qaeda."

Why would a U.S. Representative advocate on behalf of a bin Laden ally?

Hajjaj knew Meeks through the congressman’s chief of staff, Jameel Aalim-Johnson.

According to Congressman Meeks the letters he sent to HLS and other federal agencies was to “inquire about the treatment of two Muslim American citizens in particular that felt they were treated unfairly at U.S. ports of entry."

Before you ask are you freakin’ kidding me!? Yes, the Queens Democrat was indeed serious.

A quick recap:

• U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks scolded HLS for questioning Hajjaj.

• Hajjaj founded and directed two groups with the nephew of Osama bin Laden

• The two groups, one of which is on a FBI suspected terror list, has a credible lawsuit against them by the families of the 9/11 victims for providing material support to al-Qaeda and bin Laden.

While the troops are actively engaged in armed combat with al-Qaeda and searching for Osama, U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks is advocating on behalf of a character such as Hajjaj; clearly Meeks is not representing American interests.

Hanoi Jane is mild compared to today’s useful idiots.

Note: Anwar Hajjaj was not arrested at the airports, only questioned about his dubious connections. In other words, U.S. Customs at NY airports were doing their jobs back in 2006.

Fast forward to today.

Anwar Hajj had this to say, "It was an awful experience under the Bush administration, now under Obama, I have no complaints."

Welcome to an Obamanation.

Sources: NY Post

Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning?

Saw this on the 9/11 Families for America site http://www.911familiesforamerica.org/?p=1096

Never Forget!

Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning?

Obama Embraces Radical Imam and Denounces Radical Pastor

It has been widely reported that a Florida pastor planned on a Quran burning event to coincide with the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by Muslim jihadists. It was breaking news on Thursday when Pastor Terry Jones canceled his “International Burn a Koran Day.”

During the height of controversy over the Koran burning, Obama spoke out against it making it clear that he was speaking as “Commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States.” From this newly acknowledged position, the POTUS warned of the dangers to our troops and claimed the Florida pastor’s actions were counter to American values; clearly Obama made this a national issue.

Additionally, during the height of controversy over Imam Rauf’s desire via his Cordoba Initiative to erect a mosque 600-feet from Ground Zero, populate his already established Sharia Index Project, put into motion the subject of his book (published by terror supporting organizations) calling for dawa from the rubble of the WTC site and a Sharia compliant America, President Obama refused to weigh in brushing it off as a “local issue.”

Not only didn’t the president denounce the imam’s nefarious designs, he later embraced them during Ramadan celebrations at the White House.

Now, this isn’t a matter of pointing to bad behavior (radical imam) to justify other bad behavior (radical pastor). Both actions should be denounced, therein lays the rub and the point.

Where is the outrage and protest? Keep Reading>>

Florida pastor canceled International Burn a Koran Day

Terry Jones, the pastor of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida canceled what his 50-member congregation dubbed, “International Burn a Koran Day.” The Koran burning was scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 11, the ninth anniversary of the attacks by al-Qaeda.

Did Pastor Jones make a deal with Imam Rauf? Keep Reading>>

Ground Zero Mosque Investor Sent Money to Terror Group

FBI guards HLF entrance, Dec 2001. Photo by Ron Martinez/Getty
Imam Abdul Rauf during WEF in 2009, wikimedia commons


Five-years ago El-Gamal was a waiter in NYC, today he is making multi-million dollar real estate deals, in cash, with a man that funneled money to a convicted terror group.

Hisham Elzanaty is a significant investor in the development of the mosque near Ground Zero. Elzanty gave over six-thousand dollars to the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) terrorist group.

Keep Reading>>

Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor Rally, from Sharpton's Counter Rally to Crowd Size

Al Sharpton counters Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor Rally

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Saturday, August 28, 2010, Fox News personality Glenn Beck hosted the Restoring Honor Rally at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The rally was billed as a non-political and non-partisan event with any and all proceeds going to The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF).

Keep Reading>>

How many people were at Glenn Beck's 8/28 Restoring Honor Rally?

On Saturday, August 28, 2010, Glenn Beck hosted the Restoring Honor Rally at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The rally was a non-political and non-partisan event with any and all proceeds going to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Al Sharpton held a counter rally and march dubbed Reclaim the Dream and claimed on his Nation Action Network (NAN) website that Glenn Beck and the Tea Party were attempting to “hijack MLK’s dream;” more on that here. Some of the controversy was about the crowd size.

How many attended Sharpton’s rally? How many attended Beck's rally? Keep Reading>>