The History of the American Justice System Has Several Dark Aspects: The Case of Marcellus (Khalifa) Williams Unjust Execution!

The history of the American justice system has several dark aspects, particularly concerning racial discrimination and systemic injustices. 

1. Slavery and Post-Civil War Era: After the Civil War, the Black Codes and Jim Crow laws were enacted to maintain racial segregation and disenfranchise African Americans. These laws criminalized minor offenses to control and exploit Black labor.
2. Convict Leasing and Chain Gangs: Following the abolition of slavery, Southern states used convict leasing and chain gangs to continue exploiting African American labor. Convicts, often arrested on dubious charges, were leased to private companies for labor.
3. Mass Incarceration: The late 20th century saw a dramatic rise in incarceration rates, disproportionately affecting African Americans and Latinos. Policies like the War on Drugs led to harsher sentencing and increased prison populations.
4. Racial Profiling and Police Brutality: Throughout history, minority communities have faced disproportionate levels of police surveillance, brutality, and racial profiling. High-profile cases of police violence against African Americans have highlighted ongoing issues within law enforcement.
5. Disparities in Sentencing: Studies have shown that people of color often receive harsher sentences compared to their white counterparts for similar crimes. This disparity is evident in drug-related offenses and capital punishment cases.

These aspects underscore the need for ongoing reforms to address systemic biases and ensure a fairer justice system for all.

#AmericanJusticeSystem #RacialDiscrimination #SystemicInjustice #Slavery #PostCivilWar #BlackCodes #JimCrowLaws #ConvictLeasing #ChainGangs #MassIncarceration #WarOnDrugs #RacialProfiling #PoliceBrutality #SentencingDisparities #CriminalJusticeReform #SocialJustice #Equality #CivilRights #BlackHistory #JusticeForAll #MarcellusWilliams

Concerns Over President Biden's Health Highlight 25th Amendment Provisions

                     Biden appeared with Macron at the ceremony, at which both spoke as they honored veterans                   © Reach Publishing Services Limited

The recent D-Day memorial on June 6th presented a poignant scene as viewers watched  President Joe Biden exhibit what many interpreted as awkward senior moments. These instances have elicited concerns of the President physical and mental fitness and even more sympathy for his devoted wife, Dr. Jill Biden who was visibly trying to shield him from further embarrassment. Observers might feel a growing concern about the President's ability to physically endure the remaining years of his term, or even the coming months.

This discussion transcends partisan politics and is rooted in a collective concern for the well-being of the President, his family, the Democratic Party (which I am part of), and the nation. There is a growing sentiment that the President should consider stepping aside to allow a younger leader to assume the role. If this does not happen, the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment before the next election looms large, which could end his presidency in a destabilizing manner, further fracturing an already divided electorate.

The 25th Amendment

Ratified in 1967, the 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution addresses presidential succession and disability, providing a clear framework for what happens when the President cannot perform the duties of the office. Here are its key sections:

Section 1: Presidential Succession  

This section states that the Vice President becomes President if the President is removed from office, dies, or resigns. This formalizes the practice of vice-presidential succession.

Section 2: Vice Presidential Vacancy

If there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President nominates a new Vice President. The nominee takes office upon confirmation by a majority vote in both houses of Congress, ensuring the position is always filled.

Section 3: Voluntary Transfer of Power

The President can voluntarily transfer power to the Vice President by submitting a written declaration to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, stating that the President cannot discharge the powers and duties of the office. The Vice President then becomes Acting President until the President submits another written declaration stating they can resume their duties.

Section 4: Involuntary Transfer of Power 

This section addresses situations where the President is unable or unwilling to declare their inability to perform the duties of the office. The Vice President and a majority of the principal officers of the executive departments (the Cabinet) can submit a written declaration to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, stating that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office. Upon this declaration, the Vice President immediately becomes Acting President.

If the President contests this declaration, they can submit a written declaration stating that no inability exists. The Vice President and the Cabinet have four days to respond with another statement of inability. If they do, Congress must assemble within 48 hours and decide the issue. If Congress, by a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate, determines that the President cannot discharge the powers and duties of the office, the Vice President continues as Acting President. If not, the President resumes the duties of the office.

The President's repeated incidents of falling, forgetting who he is speaking to, or walking in the wrong direction are increasingly difficult to ignore. These moments amplify the urgency for responsible leaders to consider what is best for the President and the country.

Historical Context and Use

The 25th Amendment was proposed and ratified to address ambiguities about presidential succession and incapacity, particularly highlighted by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Section 3 has been invoked a few times, such as when Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush underwent medical procedures and temporarily transferred power to their Vice Presidents. Section 4 has never been formally invoked, though it has been discussed in situations where a President’s fitness for office was in question.

The 25th Amendment provides a crucial mechanism for ensuring the continuity and stability of executive leadership in the United States. Addressing both voluntary and involuntary transfers of presidential power, it is designed to safeguard the nation's governance structure during times of presidential incapacitation.

As the nation watches and debates, the need for a delicate, respectful approach to this issue is paramount. It is not just about politics, but about preserving the dignity of the office and the individual who holds it.

References

Foley, E. (2020). Presidential Succession and Inability: Before and After the Twenty-Fifth Amendment. Fordham Law Review, 89(3), 907-940.

Goldstein, J. (2017). The Twenty-Fifth Amendment: Its Complete History and Applications. Princeton University Press.

"LIVE: Biden and Macron Mark 80th D-Day Anniversary in Normandy." YouTube, The Times and The Sunday Times, 6 June 2024, https://www.youtube.com/live/y3bHBGyICbA.