http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills info@washingtonwatch.com http://www.pjdoland.com/chai/?v=0.1 http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#152449 Folks, Jamie is one of the old timers in this fight, one of the best, and I hate to disagree with him. But, in the interest of accuracy, H.R. 1529 has nothing to do with state felony offenses. It only applies to federal offenses. Once again, if you are serious about fighting for this bill posting comments on sites like this won't do it. You must do more. As has been suggested many times before,Join the group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/support_of_hr1529/ and see how and what you can do. There are links to Jaime's petition site as well as two others. There is a new booklet that you may download and send to your representatives. If you,me, we, us wait for "THEM" to do something nothing is going to happen. You must get in the fight yourself. What are you waiting on?... 152449@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#151644 Hello my name is Jaime Woodard I am the founder of a website called WE DESERVE OUR LIVES BACK.com , the site was built to promote the passing of bills and to seek laws that help non-violent, ex-offenders( as well as ex-offenders in general). H.R. 1529 is a bill that would allow first-time, non-violent, ex-federal and ex-state offenders to petition the court for an expungement. Currently the United Sates Federal Government does not have an expungement program for any ex-federal offenders. Supporters who want to sign the petition or view comments for H.R. 1529 can go to we deserve our lives back.com click under the heading petition for H.R.1529. This bill has to become law, it is sponsored by Congressman Charles b. Rangel (NY Democrat). He introduced H.R. 1529 to the house again on March 16, 2009. H.R. 1529 can be viewed in its entirety at Opencongress.org and Washingtonwatch.com... 151644@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#141395 Nothing is more difficult than seeing hope when there appears to be no hope. That is when God acts. God's power is displayed when men so no possibility of salvation. I believe the unintended consequences of a felony are cruel and evil. The Bible says "we will be judged by the same standard that we judged others by". Those that deem felons as unforgivable, will be judged by the same standards that they used to judge others. It's hard not to be bitter and angry, but it's more productive to be active and vocal. Pray, act, voice, work, be a part of what you want to bring about. Many evil people relish in your misery, don't give them the satisfaction, hold your head up high and stay strong and courageous. To much that is given, much is required. Those with power over your lives will be required to answer for their treatment of you. God has not forgotten you, nor will he allow your enemies to take the light of life out of your eyes. Trust God and lean not on your own understanding.... 141395@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#140206 I am against this bill. Paying your debt to society is one thing, rewriting history is another. An employer almost always asks on an employment application if you have ever been convicted of a felony. Expunging your record won't allow you to alter your answer unless you decide to lie. If I were in charge of hiring bank tellers, for example, I would want to know if the applicant had ever been convicted of felony theft so that I could at least make a determination if it were reasonable to hire that person. If the crime took place many years ago, that would factor into my decision. Convicted felons should not take away an employer's right to have information.... 140206@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#140436 I used to feel the same way as Truth and Consequences. Probably most people do or did. What I've learned in the past few years is that such an absolutist view is not practical or realistic. Unfortunately, our justice system is not infallable - innocent people get caught up in the system, and others are pushed into untenable situations by unscrupulous people sometimes. This alone is a good reason to support the Second Chance Act for expungement. But if that's not enough, then consider the practicality of it: You have thousands of people, who mean well and want to be productive wage-earners, effectively barred for life from good employment if they cannot earn that clean slate. You may think that an employer will be fair in considering a person with an old conviction, but in real life, that doesn't happen; probably because no one thinks that they will ever be convicted of a crime. The reality is that it could happen to nearly anyone. I think records are unsealed for financial jobs,too.... 140436@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#138972 CHI-TOWN: If you want to help, organize your friends and go to Danny Davis' office and tell him we all need to get HR 1529 passed. Danny Davis is one of the key people to help pass something like this. Please report back to us and let us know how things go for you.... 138972@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#139679 It's about time no one can get employeed after geting a non violent criminal act such as smoking pot. Wake up america even the president has smoked dope. Pass this bill.... 139679@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#135915 My son's wife was killed in a car wreck when she was just 19 years old. (They have a beautiful baby girl, as well) Sadly, after that experience, my son's attitude about life changed. He turned to drugs and alcohol. Eventually, his poor life choices led him to have felony convictions. My son is now in a drug and alcohol treatment program and he has a new outlook on life. He wants to go to college and get a master's degree; however, due to criminal background checks, it appears he cannot get into a great career to support him and his daughter. Please pass a bill that would give ex-offenders, who have truly changed their lives, a chance to contribute to society and have a chance to have a happy normal life. Thank you.... 135915@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#136435 THIS IS A GREAT TOPIC AND I AM A 1ST TIME OFFENDER AND HAVE A GREAT RESUME AFTER THE BOP BUT NOW FOR SOME REASON I LOST MY JOB AND IT IS LIKE HELL TO GET ANOTHER 1. I AM ON BOARD WITH THIS BILL AND IF THERE IS ANYONE HERE IN CHICAGO I CAN CONTACT PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I DO KNOW A TON OF PEOPLE HERE. I JUST WANT TO HELP AND NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO START. THANKS CHI-TOWN.... 136435@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#132809 this from the huffington post: Last week, JPMorgan agreed to a $722 million settlement with the SEC stemming from a risky derivatives deal that drove Alabama's most populous county to the brink of bankruptcy. As part of the settlement, JPMorgan neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing -- despite ample evidence that it had engaged in plenty of wrongdoing. This is what passes for justice on Wall Street: regulators give a company a ding to its bottom line, and are ready to quickly forget the whole thing and allow the company to move on to the next lucrative money-printing scheme. When corporate perpetrators don't have to admit they did anything wrong, it's as if the crime never happened.... 132809@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#132816 Ariana further writes: "So no wrongdoing admitted, and time to move on to the next lucrative money-printing scheme. How tidy. This is what passes for justice on Wall Street these days. If you commit a petty crime and hammer out a plea bargain, you'll have to admit wrongdoing as part of the agreement. But put on a suit and commit a billion dollar crime and you won't even have to admit you did anything wrong. It'll be as if it never happened. Which, of course, makes it much more likely that it will happen again." Meanwhile, you and I are scarred for life my friends. Screw the fascist Corporate States of America.... 132816@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#132827 my A55. You will forgive me for never reciting that revolting pledge again for the rest of my life.... 132827@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#130298 Well, I can at least understand the pain those 10.2% are feeling now, since I've lived with it for almost 10 years. If I could pass a background check and get back to work, I would help the economy instead of being a drag on it - but I have an old conviction (check fraud) and can't help anyone. I would if I could. THis bill needs to pass. Now. For decency's sake.... 130298@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#130057 for the 10.2% unemployment numbers coming out today. Now you know how we feel. Perhaps if this country wasn't so unforgiving, enough people would actually CARE and do something about this for EVERYONE. We deserve jobs too people. Hate to say it, but if i can't find work WHY O WHY should i care about the 10.2% that can't either. Most of these people are the very ones who've been hatin' on us for years. Take a walk in my shoes.... 130057@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#124606 6823k, if you need more evidence to show the judge there are three petitions, that I know of, supporting HR1529. They are on the Care2 petition site, Change.org and the Petition2Congress site. There are many comments that you could reference. There are links to these petitions at the Yahoo Group site previously referenced. As Escobar said, best of luck, our hopes are with you and please do keep us posted.... 124606@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#121516 Reform Now, yes I did read the bill & I do understand it. My point is that if this bill passes, it would set a precedence for my case to be granted in court....hopefully. In addition, I plan to present a copy of the messages posted here to show the judge just how many people are struggling b/c of discriminating employers against those with a record.... 121516@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#122107 I truly believe in second chances. I am talking here about non-violent crimes. It's not right to make a person pay for the rest of their life for a mistake. After paying the price for it, they should be allowed to get an education, housing, good jobs, without having to constantly disclose they past mistake, which makes most of life difficult if not impossible. Everyone makes mistakes, some of us just get caught breaking the law. Can anyone really say they never broke the law? I doubt it. Walking away with a pencil that doesn't belong to you is a form of stealing....... 122107@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#122303 6823k: What federal circuit or federal district court did you file your petition? If it is only an arrest record you just may win. It is the convictions that are harder to expunge. Good Luck! And please keep us posted of your progress.... 122303@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#120405 6823k, you do understand that HR1529 only applies to Federal Felony offenses? Have you read the bill carefully? Of course the justice system can see a sealed or expunged record but the point is that a potential employer or some fly by night background check outfit can't and the CJS would have no reason to unless the ex-offender messes up again. It may not be perfect but I don't see anything better out there. Trey, you are not alone in your thinking and I am sure you know that you probably do it alone. I give you the same invitation I gave Brenda, join a group. There is power in numbers.... 120405@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#119887 There's lobby groups for hire, like keystothecapital.com which are expensive, but can maybe get someone on the inside of the closed doors of these congressmen. The other thing might be if we can get somebody to testify at a hearing. I don't think the congressmen really understand how important an expungement is. If you don't have a clean record, you can't do even the most basic things any more.... 119887@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#116788 I am currently petitioning (PC 851.8) for my 10-yr old arrest record to be "destroyed" with the OC Courts right now. With all my research, I am representing myself. I am college educated - currently working towards a master's degree in public administration. But I can't even step into an internship that fingerprints, let alone trying to obtain a good job. One thing I want everyone to know: Having your records "sealed" or expunged DOES NOT mean they can't see it. Because they can. A better understanding is this: Think of your record as a class that you once failed & you decide to take it again for the 2nd time. Even though you passed it the 2nd time around, it will show up on your transcripts that you failed it the 1st time but your passing grade is what counts b/c it's reflected on your GPA. I have taken too many classes on our criminal justice system (aka CJS). And, I am now researching current bills & policies of the US. I can say this: THE CJS IS NOT AIMED AT REHABILITATION.... 116788@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#109625 THe House subcommittee where this bill is currently sleeping meets later this week to discuss racial disparities in the justice system. It would be a good opportunitiy for Congressman Scott to bring up the advantages of having HR1529 pass. If they are trying to achieve equal justice, then they need to remedy some of the damage already caused by overzealous prosecutions. Call Congressman Scott's office, or anybody else on the Subcommittee, and tell them to bring up HR1529.... 109625@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#110504 I fully give this a thumbs up. I wish I could write my Congressman. I did once, his reply had nothing to do with the subject/issue at all, so prayer will have to do.... 110504@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#110748 Brenda we have all had this experience time and time again. Don't be deterred. Write again and tell him that his response is not acceptable and demand an appropriate response. Follow the lead of Mr. Jenkins. Come join the support group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/support_of_hr1529/ There you will find the addresses of all of the members of the subcommittee that Mr. Jenkins refers to, additional information and others who support this bill. You will be welcome.... 110748@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_1529.html#106908 i think everybody deserve a second chance especialy children... 106908@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT