Thom Hartmann: Incendiary: The Todd Willingham Story

[thomhartmann]

Run time: 10:39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHlUI696qnY   Posted on YouTube: September 30, 2011 By YouTube Member: TheBigPictureRT Views on YouTube: 41   Posted on DU: September 30, 2011 By DU Member: thomhartmann Views on DU: 930

 
Most of us were shocked a few weeks back when we heard the Conservative audience at one of the Republican debates - cheer wildly for Texas Governor Rick Perry's execution record. But what's even more shocking - is that at least one of Rick Perry's many executions - might have actually been an innocent man. This is Cameron Todd Willingham - a man that Rick Perry executed in 2004 - after he was convicted of murdering his three children by setting his house on fire back in 1991. However since his execution - subsequent investigations and new evidence point to an inconvenient truth for Governor Perry - and our entire nation - and that is - that Cameron Todd Willingham in all likelihood was innocent. Joining me now are two filmmakers who recently finished a movie on the story of Cameron Todd Willingham - Steve Mims and Joe Bailey, Jr. - and they're here to tell us what really happened.

The Big Picture with Thom Hartmann on RT TV & FSTV "live" 9pm and 11pm check www.thomhartmann.com/tv for local listings

[hlthe2b]

1. As if the Willingham case were not compelling enough...

Thom finishes with the story 60 years ago of a 14 year old African American boy executed in the electric chair--with every doubt in the world about the validity of a now-missing, coerced murder confession.

The one position in my life that I have held without question--since that period of adolescence when you start to question these kind of things-- is my firm opposition to the death penalty. I hope I to see it end in this country. Surely if we have seen progress in societal views on race and gender and sexual orientation, we can finally tackle this shameful legacy.

[Enthusiast]

3. I fear the progress you speak of is temporary.

Now with unlimited money in politics I have little hope that we can turn the tide. The United States of America is going backwards. The Republicans and military industrialists have more new wars planned. And what justification is there for the wars we have now? There is none. What are we doing in these Muslim countries, trying to incite terrorism? I see very little "progress". Look at the religious right's efforts to create a hostility toward gays in Africa.

Sorry to be so negative but I don't share your optimism.

[Overseas]

2. K&R. Glad the Todd Willingham story is being told on film.