I've heard my fair share of hustles, and not all are corrupt. Some are however, and whether they are linked to the system or linked to other offenders, profiting to the detriment of the other is morally wrong. Justification and rationalization doesn't change the fact that by just "doing what I have to, to get by," makes someone else's time...harder. The prisoner code may say some hustles are acceptable that the prison code disallows, and vice versa. That doesn't even matter in ethics; in ethics, the end does not justify the means. If both codes say the hustle is acceptable, I would wager no other offender suffers for its use. I could give examples but I chose not to jam up anyone's game. The house I lived, in my youth, had a motto everyone laughed at: "Desperate men...desperate measures." I understand know exactly how humorless that motto is.
Hi Dymitri; I transcribed your letter, I hope I did not make mistakes, as I am Italian my English it is not perfect. I agree with all you wrote.The ability to believe in ourselves is fundamental for our correct psychological balance and for our psychophysical well-being. Alberto from ITALY
I realise you said there will be follow ups to this post, but it seems to deserve some reply now. Am I correct in assuming you, as a prisoner yourself, believe that the "finger of blame" (which so far as I can tell could just as easily be the middle as the index) should be pointed by prisoners at prisoners? It seems a bit like a slave on a transport ship directing his anger at the person next to him for getting his diarrhea all over him, or for trying to stretch his tragically cramped limbs in the hold where they are the cargo. Perhaps these neighbors-in-misery could behave in ways more optimal for each others' comfort, but at the same time, who is REALLY to blame there for the discomfort? The less than perfectly considerate fellow slave-to-be, fellow kidnapping victim, or the people who forced him into that god-forsaken boat to begin with? Many of us out here will uphold your right as a prisoner in a deeply injust system to complain as you see fit, and I suppose that has to extend even to those who choose to point the finger at their co-sufferers rathen than at their captors. But perhaps you'd reconsider a bit?
Hello Dymitri. I believe I do understand what you may be feeling in those situations. It seems a little like an Inquisition torturer (to use one of your metaphors) reading from the Quran as he murders a Muslim for his faith. And with you, I also believe Mssrs de la Rocha, Wilk, Commerford, and Morello would not be happy to know their music was played by police on the job. I'm sure they'd gladly return the royalties in a jiffy. Thanks for your thoughts. Please do keep them coming.
Hi Jennifer! I transcribed your letter, I hope I did not make mistakes, as I am Italian my English it is not perfect. Unfortunately I could not read a couple of words and I had to write some asterisks. I read with great interest what you wrote about Christians who must be united and do God’s will together. Today I'd like to tell you something about Italian history. Italy has been subject to various foreign dominations, including those of the Ostrogoths and Lombards in the 6th and 7th centuries, the Byzantines and Franks in the Middle Ages, and, more extensively and for a longer period, the Spanish and French between the 15th and 18th centuries. In the modern era, the territory was divided into regional states under the control of foreign powers such as the Austrian Habsburgs and the Bourbons, until unification in 1861. Best regards. Alberto (Italy)
Oh, and by the way. I got a good laugh from the last line of your transcriptionist. They did the exact thing of which we speak. I am talking about a literal laugh. What the children call in modern life, an LOL. Man, I avoid that term at all cost, being from different generation than you or them. You're a good writer D. Truly.
Being around as many funerals as a minister is, I have made a list of things people say at wakes that are offensive. You know, I have often considered why people say these things, which I understand that if they irritate me, they most likely irritate the bereaved. Why do people say these things? I think it comes from a deep-seated need to fill the silence. There is no appropriate way to communicate in the silence. Therefore, I choose to embrace the silence and marinate in it. I choose to walk with, instead of talk at. If a person decides to share what they are enduring, let them share. And if I have something to say after I think about what they share, I will reply, otherwise, I will give my apology for a lack of meaningful words. Does the well-meaning filler of silence commit their offense from a place of malice? No. Nevertheless, their social awkwardness might be unlearned with a few meaningful exchanges like the one you undertook. This would act as your constructive criticism. Alternately, if they are obtuse, they will scratch their head and fail to learn. If you cared for this person, you could choose to teach, after your initial reaction. Maybe the next guy would not be the unintended recipient of their ignorance. In my workplace, we call instructing the ignorant a spiritual act of mercy, ha ha. (Joking, not joking). Sadly, with age comes wisdom - when we choose it. Hopefully, wisdom comes before it is too late to do anything with it.
Art is subjective. It intersects with our consciousness in many ways but broadly, you might say in two ways, intentionally and unintentionally. We seek art sometimes, for instance what I listen to in music changes with the mood I am sitting with. Different artists for angry, happy, sad, triumphant, in need of healing, and so forth. In this way, music reinforces mood or is used to alter my state of consciousness. When I click through an art gallery (living too far from Chicago), I pause where I reflect, and pass by where I don't see the vision of the artist. When I read a book, i copy portions I deem are needed for my own artistic endeavors. All voluntary acts.
But what you cite here about feelings being foisted on you is true. Yet another example of the needling suffering of incarceration and societal punishment without regard to guilt or innocence. I see no justice here. There is one fella that calls from seg where a guy across the hall screams each time he phones. Is his action meant to torture the fella trying to communicate or meant to help me understand his terror? His art confuses me.
D, tomorrow I have two medical procedures. Regardless of the outcome, know you have enriched my life, and please write something for me like you did for 'Whispers,' so that my family and friends, or I, may know your inner feelings.
Recently a fella from Kansas wrote me an exact quote of yours, nearly word-for-word. "I am an artist, not a prisoner who does art." When I read it, I smiled and thought of you.
RSS
I transcribed your letter, I hope I did not make mistakes, as I am Italian my English it is not perfect.
I agree with all you wrote.The ability to believe in ourselves is fundamental for our correct psychological balance and for our psychophysical well-being.
Alberto
from
ITALY
Am I correct in assuming you, as a prisoner yourself, believe that the "finger of blame" (which so far as I can tell could just as easily be the middle as the index) should be pointed by prisoners at prisoners? It seems a bit like a slave on a transport ship directing his anger at the person next to him for getting his diarrhea all over him, or for trying to stretch his tragically cramped limbs in the hold where they are the cargo. Perhaps these neighbors-in-misery could behave in ways more optimal for each others' comfort, but at the same time, who is REALLY to blame there for the discomfort? The less than perfectly considerate fellow slave-to-be, fellow kidnapping victim, or the people who forced him into that god-forsaken boat to begin with?
Many of us out here will uphold your right as a prisoner in a deeply injust system to complain as you see fit, and I suppose that has to extend even to those who choose to point the finger at their co-sufferers rathen than at their captors. But perhaps you'd reconsider a bit?
In peace and solidarity.
And with you, I also believe Mssrs de la Rocha, Wilk, Commerford, and Morello would not be happy to know their music was played by police on the job. I'm sure they'd gladly return the royalties in a jiffy.
Thanks for your thoughts. Please do keep them coming.
I transcribed your letter, I hope I did not make mistakes, as I am Italian my English it is not perfect. Unfortunately I could not read a couple of words and I had to write some asterisks.
I read with great interest what you wrote about Christians who must be united and do God’s will together.
Today I'd like to tell you something about Italian history.
Italy has been subject to various foreign dominations, including those of the Ostrogoths and Lombards in the 6th and 7th centuries, the Byzantines and Franks in the Middle Ages, and, more extensively and for a longer period, the Spanish and French between the 15th and 18th centuries. In the modern era, the territory was divided into regional states under the control of foreign powers such as the Austrian Habsburgs and the Bourbons, until unification in 1861.
Best regards.
Alberto (Italy)
Being around as many funerals as a minister is, I have made a list of things people say at wakes that are offensive. You know, I have often considered why people say these things, which I understand that if they irritate me, they most likely irritate the bereaved. Why do people say these things? I think it comes from a deep-seated need to fill the silence. There is no appropriate way to communicate in the silence. Therefore, I choose to embrace the silence and marinate in it. I choose to walk with, instead of talk at. If a person decides to share what they are enduring, let them share. And if I have something to say after I think about what they share, I will reply, otherwise, I will give my apology for a lack of meaningful words. Does the well-meaning filler of silence commit their offense from a place of malice? No. Nevertheless, their social awkwardness might be unlearned with a few meaningful exchanges like the one you undertook. This would act as your constructive criticism. Alternately, if they are obtuse, they will scratch their head and fail to learn. If you cared for this person, you could choose to teach, after your initial reaction. Maybe the next guy would not be the unintended recipient of their ignorance. In my workplace, we call instructing the ignorant a spiritual act of mercy, ha ha. (Joking, not joking). Sadly, with age comes wisdom - when we choose it. Hopefully, wisdom comes before it is too late to do anything with it.
All the best, John
Art is subjective. It intersects with our consciousness in many ways but broadly, you might say in two ways, intentionally and unintentionally. We seek art sometimes, for instance what I listen to in music changes with the mood I am sitting with. Different artists for angry, happy, sad, triumphant, in need of healing, and so forth. In this way, music reinforces mood or is used to alter my state of consciousness. When I click through an art gallery (living too far from Chicago), I pause where I reflect, and pass by where I don't see the vision of the artist. When I read a book, i copy portions I deem are needed for my own artistic endeavors. All voluntary acts.
But what you cite here about feelings being foisted on you is true. Yet another example of the needling suffering of incarceration and societal punishment without regard to guilt or innocence. I see no justice here. There is one fella that calls from seg where a guy across the hall screams each time he phones. Is his action meant to torture the fella trying to communicate or meant to help me understand his terror? His art confuses me.
D, tomorrow I have two medical procedures. Regardless of the outcome, know you have enriched my life, and please write something for me like you did for 'Whispers,' so that my family and friends, or I, may know your inner feelings.
Recently a fella from Kansas wrote me an exact quote of yours, nearly word-for-word. "I am an artist, not a prisoner who does art." When I read it, I smiled and thought of you.
All the best, John