Many prisoners deserve pardons. January 6 rioters ain’t among them!

As a veteran broadcast journalist and editorial writer, significant dates often prompted me to write pieces encouraging thought on a given topic. As an octogenarian I nearly let January 6 slide by this year. But, media headlines finally got to me. So here goes! 

I picked up my copy of the Detroit News today and spotted this front page headline: Jan. 6 Trump pardons could aid dozens from Mich. 

I’m very familiar with pardons. My life is devoted to helping prisoners, and there are many, many men and women in Michigan who deserve pardons. 

First, let me give a quick explanation as to the meaning of this word. When a president or a governor grants a pardon, that simply means that a previously convicted person is relieved of guilt and punishment.

For those of you who do not know me, I started an organization 23 years ago called HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS. I, and my team, find that many people locked up in Michigan are worthy of consideration for pardons. Consider these points: 

-The estimated number of wrongly convicted prisoners in Michigan exceeds 1,300:

-Michigan keeps people locked up longer than other states, so we’ve had to make provisions to deliver an increasing amount of medical and end-of-life care the prison population grows older;

-More than 100 men and women die behind bars each year in our state; and

-The MDOC’s health center (formerly a hospital) has 152 inpatient beds for prisoners whose medical needs cannot be met at their facility. 

I’m not saying that everyone in these categories deserves a pardon, but many are worthy of consideration. 

Now let’s got to the federal level, and the issue that really bugs me. President-elect Trump is indicating that he may grant pardons to as many as 1.500 people arrested for involvement in that shameful incident four years ago. He has been quoted as describing the January 6 uprising as a “Day of Love.” Those involved in the incident have been labeled as “patriots,” “tourists,” and/or "persons involved in a peaceful protest." 

You and I know better.

We watched it on live TV as more than 140 police officers were assaulted, the Capitol was damaged, some government property was destroyed, some was stolen, and the U.S Vice President was forced to flee for his life. In that 36-hour period, 5 people died, 1 was shot by police, 1 died of a drug overdose, and 3 died of natural causes. Many were injured, including 175 police officers. Day of Love? 

I’m in favor of pardons…lots of them! 

I consider it an expression of humanity and grace. 

A pardon for an insurrectionist, on the other hand, can only be described as a “slap in the face.” 

Uncle Sam’s Lady of Justice---holding scales, a sword, and sometimes a blindfold--- deserves better! 

A footnote from CBS News: "...at least 159 of the Jan. 6 convicts who have been sentenced have prior criminal records. They include at least 41 people who had been convicted of at least one violent crime."