God’s Gunner’s, Booty Bandits, & Bad Boys
By R25288 ( c ) 2006-2007
Chapter Twenty-Four
The Oppression & Resistance Continue
Folsom Prison Blues
By Johnny Cash
“I hear the train a comin’
it’s rolling round the bend
and I ain’t seen the sunshine since
I don’t know when,
I’m stuck in Folsom prison, and
time deeps draggin’ on
but that train keeps a rollin’ on down to San Anton..
When I was just a baby my mama
told me, son,
always be a good boy, don’t ever
play with guns
But I shot a man in Reno just to
watch him die
now every time I hear that whistle I
hang my head and cry..
“I bet there’s rich folks eating in a
fancy dining car
they’re probably drinkin’ coffee and
smoking big cigars.
Well I know I had it coming, I know
I can’t be free
but those people keep a movin’
and that’s what tortures me…
“Well if they’d free me from this
prison,
if that railroad train was mine
I bet I’d move just a little further
down the line
far from Folsom prison, that’s
where I want to stay
and I’d let that lonesome whistle
blow my blues away…..”
“God is with those who persevere.”
Koran, ch. VIII
If you missed my NPR(National Public Radio) interview, you may hear it with Mike Pesca, by typing in any search engine:
npr.org;
then in their search engine, type in Day to Day;
then In this program, select Day to Day;
then About this topic, select Politics & Society;
then On these dates, select Past Month;
hit enter;
then scroll down to page two;
then scroll down to March 19, 2007, Supreme Court Weighs Student Free Speech Case, and there it is. Just click on the the listen/sound/volume button. About 12 minutes long.
“BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.”
George Orwell, 1984
I read it, as it was inadvertently posted for one day on the prison notice board, locked up behind glass. It is there in the archives, on the computers, in the system, in the deleted files, or saved files. I was so astounded that I did not copy it immediately, and when I went back to copy it, it had been removed. It basically was from the Florida Department of Corrections headquarters in Tallahassee, addressed to all the Wardens, and VIP’s. It basically said that the worst thing that could happen is to let inmates win grievances. That, my dear gentle reader, is an example of systemic violence.
It is this type of thinking that cost two homeless men their lives recently in my county. It is this type of thinking that cost a gay man his life this month in a nearby county. It is this type of thinking that cost a young 14 year old African American his life last year in our state correctional system. It is this type of thinking that allowed many guards to enter Frank Valdez’s cell in this state and stomp him to death. Frank’s widow received about $800,000.00 for that thinking. The young lad above has earned his family $2,000,000.00 to date, and our new Governor, Charlie Crist, is attempting to get them another $5,000,000.00. I am sure they would prefer his company to all that money. Virginia, that is systemic violence.
Speaking of Charlie, he wants to give me my right to vote back. Virginia, you know that I rarely vote for Republicans, but I would vote for Charlie, if he gives me back my right to vote, which I currently have lost for live. That is systemic violence.
My love has transferred to a new prison at his request. It is one of our faith based prisons. Did you hear me, Virginia? Faith based! Faith! Religious freedom? 1st Amendment? Ha!
In my time in prison, I never wore a cross. It was not from my lack of attempt to get one. A pastor’s wife sent me one. DOC sent it back. It did not come from an approved source. My brother ordered me one, and the supplier refused to deliver to prisons. Go figure.
The rules state you may wear a cross if it is sent from a jeweler, or approved source. It may not cost over $50.00. Forms must be filed. Approval must be made. Nothing in prison comes easy, except abuse.
I ordered my boy a cross and chain at Christmas, from HSN(Home Shopping Network). It was sent back. I ordered another. It was sent back. I called the prison chaplain. He informed me that the cross had been sent by UPS(United Parcel Service). The horror!! That is not an approved method of shipment. Who knew? Only US mail is allowed. It is nice to be a monopoly.
So the chaplain suggested that I may wish to order from Sidney Charles Direct Regulation Religious Medallion Catalog. J.D. picked out from page 5, the PC108, Disk, with a cross in it, gold colored, about the size of a half dollar, with a 24″, #1 Figaro Chain, from page 14, at a total cost of $24.00, plus shipping, which was, of course, by US mail. He filed the proper forms, and received approval. He received it, and was allowed to wear it. It gave him joy.
Parts of a letter my love mailed me, on 3/14/07, at 8:55pm:
“Dear Love,
“I just made 24 hours here, and so far so good. I saw alot of people from previous camps, most of them are energy drainers, so I ‘What’s up’ them, and peel off. Oh yeah!! P is here too. Do you remember P? How can we forget him!! He’s doing fine. He told me that he was just thinking about me. We didn’t talk long. I told him you’re out doing fine, and still keeping it real with me…I still have love for him. Blessings continue!!
“I have a straight roommate. He looks like he’s Indian or something. Don’t know how long he’s got, but he has been here 17 months. He gave me the 411. Basically, keep your nose clean, and you’ll make it. Simple as that.
“They made me mail my chain, that you got me, home. They say it’s ‘too flashy.’ What kind of shit is that when I got it approved and under $50.00 I didn’t show my ghetto side. I just complied. No matter what I said, they wasn’t trying to hear it! So, I sent it to my MaMa. I told her to hold it until otherwise. This is not the camp to look sporty at. Other than that, I’ll make it. I’m gonna sign up for business management. How about that?
“3/15/07 6:52am
“Dear Love,
“Didn’t go to breakfast this morning. I felt like sleeping in, plus I needed the sleep anyway. I got up, made my bunk, did my hygiene, now I’m writing my baby!!
“Work-call is at 8:00am, and the yard will open sometime around 9:00am. I’m on the call-out for ITC. I guess they’ll assign me a job. Oh well, I can handle anything they throw at me!!
“I think I’m going to hangout for awhile ’cause it’s not that bad. We even get to control our lights in our cells, cool, hun??
“The inmates here are different, meaning they’re not all wild acting, pants hanging off their asses, & there aren’t anybody hustling out on the yard. I didn’t even see nobody selling spots in the canteen line, even though you’re gonna make it. This place haven’t even had rose tinted glasses since Dec. Wow!! So ya know this ain’t the place for the B.S!!
“Big B.J. came down to my cell yesterday after dinner to holla at me. I showed him some pictures of ya, and he saw a couple with you & a few of your lady co-workers that he was diggin’. Do you remember…
“Enclosed is front page of USA Today, I know you’ll enjoy reading!! The struggle continues, Love. You may not know this, but alot of students appreciate you, Mary, & John for making it possible for students to express their First Amendment right.
“Baby, ya know I love ya, and appreciate ya, & I’m very grateful & thankful for all you’re doing for me!! You’re the best, Love, and I’m going to…when we’re together again!!
“AML & M/L/&R,
“You’re #1 & Only J.D. xoxoxo”
On Sunday, March 25, 2007, at 1:39pm, my partner wrote:
“Dear Love,
“Just came back from lunch, we had tacos, yum!! On the way I dropped that informal grievance in the box. Basically saying it’s been approved with the chaplain & property room at (his last prison), & I have an invoice showing it’s not over fifty($50). We’ll see what they say.
“I enjoyed talking with ya, just hearing ya voice lifted my spirit!! I like when ya tell me you’re…
“Yeah, Love, Ch. 21 brought back some memories!! As I was reading, I saw it clearly like it was yesterday. Damn, Love!! ya wrote down everything. I still love the idea of opening up a club-C & J.D. Hell yeah!! Us against the world, baby!!
“…I can see us hanging out like that once I get out of here, Love. I long for that day to come. You are my world, Chris. I don’t even think you know that…”
My boy is at a faith based camp and they won’t even let him wear a cross. How fucked up is that? It was the beginning of the 21st century, on the planet earth, in a state called Florida, known for it’s sunshine, beaches, Disney World, and abuse of inmates. They were kept away from scrutiny, behind the razorwire. Virginia, I know. I was there. It was real. I think we can do better. What do you think?
Amazing Grace
By John Newton
“Amazing Grace(How sweet the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
“‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fear reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believ’d!
“Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.
“The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
“Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall profess, within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be for ever mine.”
You may wish to check out http://www.manipulatedtrial.de/.
J.D. & I wish you & yours peace!
