Why someone with a criminal record may *not* want a pardon

--amadeus--

History is cyclical and it seems like faster news cycles and greater freedom of information - and freedom to publish information - are shortening these cycles.

And every 20 years or so there is huge social upheaval, a generational spasm. The 20s, with it's decadence that shocked the older generation. The 40s with the horrors of world war, born from teh Facism of a few years before. The 60s with its counter culture and teh 80s with Thatcher and Regan casting aside social responsibilities. And now as we close out the Noughties we see climate change and anti globalisation protesters, we see the Western World again locked in un-winnable wars and we see our civil liberties (not just a minorities but everyones) being eroded.

So it's worth understanding the people who protested before us, the stand they took and why they took it. To understand what they have learned from thier battles.

You'd imagine that if given the chance, anyone with a criminal record would gladly allow the charges to be expunged, right? Not exactly. Mayor Larry Langford of Birmingham, Ala., recently extended a blanket pardon for anyone who participated in the culture-shaping civil rights protests of the 1960s. But the men and women who bravely endured police violence -- replete with fire hoses and attack dogs -- in retaliation for their non-violent actions say, no thank you.

Interesting and short article here