There is usually as much happening that is positive at any given time as there is negative. This writer will endeavor to share weekly progress reports related to justice issues.  The end of August brought several important events that furthered the cause of justice and a family's expressions of gratitude for a heroic police rescue.

In response to public outcry, Attorney General Holder appointed Federal Prosecutor John Durham to lead an investigation to determine the legality of CIA interrogation techniques in the War on Terror camps. Durham will explore potential violations of anti-torture laws regarding detainee interrogations. Holder credits Durham with already being highly knowledgeable about the issue, as he was the prosecutor appointed by former Attorney General Michael Muskasey to investigate the destruction of CIA videotapes of detainee interrogations.

Holder refers to the investigation as a "preliminary review" and said no one will be prosecuted who "acted in good faith and within the scope of the legal guidance" given by the Office of Legal Counsel. Therefore, it is undetermined whether prosecution will ensue from the investigation. Released records indicate that prisoners in internment camps underwent cruel interrogation because of suspected connections with al-Qaida. They were regularly humiliated, waterboarded, and subjected to terrorist threats against themselves and their families as well as other horrific acts. Some detainees were children.

Numerous human rights organizations and advocacy groups have relentlessly demanded since the Obama administration took office that records connected with inhanced interrogation during the Bush administration be released and that human rights abuses be investigated and responsible persons prosecuted. Although many human rights activists would prefer assurances of prosecutions, most agree that the appointment of a special prosecutor is a positive development.  The video below is one example of demonstrations that activists held across the country to support open disclosure and accountability regarding detainees' treatment.

Bush administration officials disagree with allegations of illegal interrogation methods. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated when addressing Stanford students in April that nothing that was done could have been illegal since authorization came from the presidential administration. Huffington Post reported in December that former Vice President Dick Cheney admitted giving orders for enhanced interrogation. Cheney stated that such practices were necessary.

CIA interrogation "experts" reportedly had only two weeks training before beginning enhanced interrogations on camp detainees. For comparison purposes, it is interesting to note that the District of Columbia State Board of Licensed Cosmetology lists the following licensing requirements: cosmetologists must complete 1,500 hours of training, nail technologists need 350 hours of training, and skin care technicians require 125 hours. Licenses for those positions require more training than was needed to become an interrogation expert for the CIA after 9/11. AP reports that CIA interrogators trained for 80 hours or less (depending on whether lunchtime was included and if these were 40-hour weeks). It is not clear whether training was conducted in classrooms or if "experts" were given on-the-job torture training. The Red Cross reported in April that dozens of detainees held by the CIA are missing and their fates unknown..

The Obama administration announced that detainees will continue to be held in overseas camps, but there is to be no further torture. One might hope that former enhanced interrogation experts will be exempt from future employment as prison guards in detainee camps, U.S. prisons and jails, and especially disqualified as police officers.

Michael Jackson's death was officially ruled a homicide. That moves his family, friends, and millions of fans closer to the point of closure after Michael's sudden death on June 25. According to an AP report, Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson's cardiologist, admitted to administering a powerful combination of drugs to treat Michael's insomnia just prior to his death, including a 10-milligram tablet of Valium, repeated injections of two milligrams of lorazepam and two milligrams of midazolam, and finally 25 milligrams of propofol. Dr. Murray reported that Michael stopped breathing within 12 minutes of receiving the propofol duing the two minutes that Dr. Murray was away from Michael's bedside. MJJ is said to have expired before the ambulance arrived, but he was not pronounced dead until his body reached the hospital unaccompanied by Dr. Murray. The cardiologist may face criminal charges in connection with the death of the King of Pop. There is speculation as to whether Michael's death was caused by an accidental overdose and regarding three cellphone calls Dr. Murray placed between 11:15 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. before the 911 call about Michael was placed at 12:21 p.m.

Michael's family reportedly has confidence that the truth about his demise will be revealed. Hopefully, they are right. Every family deserves an explanation when a loved one's life is cut short, and authorities sometimes agree.

At great risk to themselves, Marietta, Georgia police saved a family of four that was trapped in a burning van on I-75 last month: two sisters and their wheelchair-bound parents. The video below shows the King family's van was fully ablaze as officers pulled the women's mother to safety from where she was trapped between the van and the guardrail. Moments after officers ensured that the King family was safe, the van exploded. Instead of the fatalities, the worst injury was a second-degree burn the father suffered on his arm. The family recently met with their heroes and thanked them profusely for saving their lives.

August 28 marked the 46th anniversary of the Poor People's March on Washington, where participants heard Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. deliver his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. His words rocked America and resounded around the world.

The Poor Peoples March was conceived by Asa Philip Randolph, a labor leader and founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters who in 1962 proposed having a march for increased economic opportunities and civil rights. On August 28, 1963, Dr. King and other brave civil rights leaders met at the grounds of the Washington Memorial with approximately 250,000 participants who were black, white, Jewish, Muslims, Christians, and other, rich and poor. The participants included actors, 300 congresspersons, musicians, elderly persons and children. It was the largest demonstration for human and civil rights that had ever been gathered in America. Participants from across the country came together to demonstrate their unwillingness to continue with the status quo. They joined hands and sang that timeless song of inspiration and resolute determination, "We Shall Overcome."

There have been significant improvements over the decades in numerous areas. However, poor people in the U.S. are still often treated unfairly in civil and criminal courts. Lady Justice had a cornea transplant and removed her blindfold. She can see the races of those entering her halls and the bribes that are sometimes stretched out to her. Not nearly enough positive change has occurred regarding justice in America, and issues of race and socio-economic status still play a large part. Our prisons are overwhelmingly filled people who are poor whites, African Americans, and Latinos, including 1.25 million mentally ill inmates.

The Poor People's March participants gathered in unity despite their diversity to affirm their commitment to work together for needed change. There is an even greater need for that today, because the gulf between the haves and have-nots is wider now than it was in 1963. The good news is that the leaders and their supporters of the 1960's already showed us how to overcome. The issues that confront a growing number of economically challenged Americans and inequities that continue to plague our justice system must be addressed by people committed to working together in unity and peace. As Dr. King admonished, "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."

Your feedback and suggestions for future reports regarding advancements in justice are invited in the comments section after a few ads below, or you may email me at MaryLovesJustice@gmail.com

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Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ~Philippians 4:8