This Week Is Like a Box of Chocolates
September 28, 2008
Community | Ethics | Social Action
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By Barbara Weinstein
Legislative Director of the Religious Action Center
I'm an I Love Lucy aficionado. I have seen every episode, can recite by heart the Vitametavegamin routine that ends with Lucy sloshed on the alcohol-laced health tonic, and know that the longest laugh the show recorded came when Lucy did the tango with a shirt stuffed full of raw eggs. But for my money, the funniest episode is called "Job Switching," where Lucy and Ethel get jobs in a candy factory. Watching Lucy-as-candy-wrapper try and keep up with the ever-faster conveyor belt of chocolates is watching a master comedian at her best.
Sometimes, I feel a bit like Lucy at Kramer's Kandy Kitchen. That's particularly true this week as Congress tries to work through myriad bills that have languished for months, while also dealing with the economic challenges on Wall Street, and trying to leave town to campaign before Election Day. The legislative team at the RAC has been busily strategizing, posting action alerts, firing off letters to members of Congress, issuing press releases, and trying to make sure that social justice values are reflected in our laws.
There's still much more to be done, but already we've seen some significant victories in the last four days. After years of failed attempts, the House and Senate have both passed identical mental health parity bills. Pressure needs to be put on Congress to make sure the bill gets to the President, but all signs look promising. And speaking of bills signed by the President, after 18 years of misguided court rulings limiting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), today saw enactment of the ADA Amendments Act. Under the guidance of Rabbi Lynne Landsberg, the RAC has helped lead the Jewish community's advocacy on this bill, which will provide greater protection for those who face discrimination because of a disability. Today's victory, just before Rosh Hashanah, seemed sweeter than honey.
We're also happy about something that's NOT happening: namely, a Senate vote on a bill that would repeal a host of gun control laws in Washington DC. Our advocacy against the bill wasn't enough to stop its House passage last week, but working with a strong group of Senators, it looks as though a Senate vote isn't in the cards. We coordinated a joint effort of groups in the faith and civil rights communities to demonstrate the broad opposition to this bill, and it is gratifying to see positive results.
But above all, we were heartened by the decision this week of the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the execution of Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis. Mr. Davis was convicted of killing a police officer over 15 years ago. Yet there was no physical evidence linking him to the crime, and the prosecution's case was based entirely on the testimony of witnesses who have since recanted their statements. Many witnesses say their statements were, in fact, coerced by the police. For the past two years, we have weighed in with the Georgia State Parole Board to encourage them to review Mr. Davis's case, though Mr. Davis was again scheduled to be executed this past Tuesday. With two hours to go, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a last-minute stay, and this coming Monday will decide whether to hear his appeal. There are no second chances when it comes to the death penalty, and the Supreme Court's decision gives us hope that justice will truly be served.
This blog is already longer than Lucy's nose when she disguised herself to meet movie star William Holden, but I hope it gives you a taste of just a few days at the RAC this week. The victories have indeed been sweeter than any chocolate Lucy wrapped could be.
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