Did you know that some of the counties in the coalfields have the highest rates of cancer in the country?
The human body was not meant for such abuse. After about six months they lost steam.
Percy had never owned a ball or a glove or a bat, had never played catch with his dad, had never dreamed of beating the Yankee. In fact he’d probably never dreamed of leaving the cotton patch. That thought was almost overwhelming.
And you’ve never been married, right?” “Correct.” “Well, I’ve tried it twice and I’m not sure I can recommend it.
He was neutral on prayer, skeptical of free speech, sympathetic to tax protestors, indifferent to Indians, afraid of blacks, tough on pornographers, soft on criminals, and fairly consistent in his protection of the environment.
Maybe you should be a lawyer.” “I can’t think of anything worse.
SUDDEN AFFLUENCE triggers a desire for the better things in life.
Plans – nothing ever goes as planned, and the survivors are the ones who can adapt on the fly.
Four months ago, he had a mild heart attack and his doctor told him to retire. He found another doctor.
The presumption of innocence is now the presumption of guilt. The burden of proof is a travesty because the proof is often lies. Guilt beyond a reasonable doubt means if he probably did it, then let’s get him off the streets.
Mrs. Vanlandingham from across the street heard the commotion and came running, still holding a dish towel. She arrived just as the sheriff, Nix Gridley, wheeled into the parking lot and slid in the gravel.
I’m in shock now. I’m not believing this, Mitch. This is like a bad dream, only much worse.” “And this is only the beginning.
He had blown the trumpet for so long that no one heard it anymore.
I needed forgiveness, because there were lots of sins in my past. I needed peace, because I’d been at war my entire life. I needed love, because I hated everybody. I needed strength, because deep inside I knew how weak I was. I needed happiness, because I’d been miserable for so long.
Meanness does not inspire loyalty.
The relief came from the sudden realization that she had just been freed from a job she despised.
Since most law-abiding citizens had no contact with the parole system, it was not a priority with the state legislatures. And since most of the state’s prisoners were either poor or black, and unable to use the system to their advantage, it was easy to hit them with harsh sentences and keep them locked up. But for an inmate with a few connections and some cash, the parole system was a marvelous labyrinth of contradictory laws that allowed the Parole Board to pass out favors.
In white America, prisons are good places where bad men pay for their crimes. In black America, they are too often used as warehouses to keep minorities off the streets. Otis.
But a year in jail for an innocent man is pure luck in our system.
As Mike Roberts watched Tommy enter the building, he could not imagine that the boy was taking his last steps in the free world. The rest of his life would be behind prison walls.