I had to list this with Flint tonight. I applaud this effort by the State of Michigan to set former inmates free of their past. Every American is allowed a one time chance to expunge a criminal record. Ususally that right falls in around the age of 50 years. So, a former inmate will have only 12 years or so adding to their SSi balance. It is very victimizing.
There is only one other time in an American's life to eliminate any criminal convictions and that is as a minor. The record of a minor can be locked away forever to prevent impact on an American life. That means there are 32 years an inmate has to accept poor paying jobs and a real chance at an American lifestyle and upward mobility.
These efforts to remove old chemical records is wonderful. It provides a chance for younger men or women to find good jobs even in the professions. There is no reason to prevent this one time opportunity. That may also mean ti can provide THE VOTE back to former inmates. If these efforts are controlled by a governor or otherwise, it has to be viewed as racist with the real fact that African Americans are incarcerated more often then Caucasians.
By Cheri Hardmon
Flint - There have been all kinds of challenges (click here) since Eequindre Stewart started his own home and business restoration company three years ago.
The biggest roadblock in taking his company to the next level is something Stewart did in 1996.
“I actually worked for a company that didn’t pay and they left their payroll office open and so I went and made checks out for me and the guys that worked with me,” Stewart said.
He was convicted of a felony check cashing fraud charge and served seven years in prison. That life altering decision is still with him 25 years later....
...He was hoping to change that Saturday and have his record wiped clean by attending one of the expungement fairs now taking place during Michigan Clean Slate Expungement Week. It’s an opportunity for Michiganders to remove old convictions from their public record and have a clean slate.
“That means our company will be able to grow. That means we will be able do more things as far as traveling and doing things in other states,” Stewart said....
This is amazing. It is probably the beginning of the end of the settlement. The idea a medical center is negligent in protecting their patients is an important finding. It should not be easily dismissed. The question is do the families of the dead suffer with their loss and to what degree can they tolerate legal processes to find justice. The settlement provides an income to people that cannot wait for justice. That is a good thing, but, if there is a large enough number of people opting out of the settlement, those that cannot financially tolerate it well may need to be identified and provided for in a legislative bill.
Justice is about THE CORRECT WAY TO ADDRESS problems. It is not about a QUICK GET RICH SCHEME. These particular people suffering after the water crisis in Flint, Michigan should receive the best outcome considering this is such an egrigious event on the American landscape. I think taking these issues to court and allowing the legal system to play out will bring clarity and IMPORTANT findings and decisions by a jury of the peers of the people in Genesee County. The findings of any jury in any of these cases could be making not only a statement about the crime and the impact of the surviving relatives and effected adults and children in a community with a high minority population, but, how a society based in democracy handles such crimes to minority populations.
The events that follow the poisoning of the people of Flint, Michigan is vital to the rest of the country to prevent such events from occurring again to people that are the most vulnerable in our society, the impoverished. Frequently, people that are unable to hire lawyers or pay court costs are negatively impacted. The proceedings here could change all that. HOWEVER, it is completely unfair to ask the people of Flint to withstand more suffering. Being a hero is not the idea of justice either. Finding justice is also timely so victims can recover. These are all very weighty decisions by the victims of Flint. But, the last thing I want for them, or this country should want for them, is to ask them to be martyrs to a legal process when relief to their suffering can occur now.
By Ron Fonger
Flint - McLaren Regional Medical (click here) wants more time before deciding whether to remain a part of the $641-million settlement of claims tied to the Flint water crisis.
In a filing in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, Sept. 28, the hospital asked Judge Judith Levy for a stay of 60 days to an Oct. 10 deadline in the proposed settlement as officials continue to consider their opt-out options.
McLaren paid half of its share of the settlement pool -- $10 million -- previously and says in its motion that the remaining $10-million payment is due Oct. 10.
Court officials have said the hospital has an escape clause in the settlement, giving it the right to withdraw from the agreement if any of the 31 persons who sued the hospital, alleging exposure to Legionella during the water crisis, opts to take their case to trial....
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