Friday
3/21/2014

Hello World!

Received copies of the last three or four postings by snail mail. Thanks for the feedback. It helps me to know this is still a useful way to connect with people. The time lag is frustrating being a "blog", but not much I can do. Thanks for your patience.

We had a round of fly outbreaks and this time I did not avoid it. I try to stay healthy, but when I'm standing in a hallway shoulder to shoulder with 50 people and the old guy (65+) next to me coughs right in my face...

Sunday
4/20/2014
Sorry for the delay.

Tuesday
5/20/2014
As you can see I'm not doing well keeping up with my letters. I'd really like to go in depth on the "communism" question someone posed, but I know my letter would never get there.

The new job is going well. I actually look forward to going to work. Monday through Friday fly by each week. That's helpful since I have 6 years to go.

My hope for some relief in the courts took a hit this week. At the federal level "habeas corpus" petition was denied. They did a thorough review and worded it very carefully. They followed the "latter of the law", but it sure looks to me that "truth" and "justice" were given a backseat.

What I knew from the beginning was that if you're not rich, with a private lawyer, and not of the privileged class, you can easily be screwed.

My accusers were the police and the police union, and they set out from day one to bury me.

For 7 years, I've heard the same thing from day one. "You can't use PTSD as a defense. It's not recognized in Illinois. But of course, you're not insane."

Well, there is still the governor's clemency option.

Someone from Canada sent me a book of poetry. Thanks for such a kind blessing, whoever you are. D.B. is one of the most inspiring figures in history.

Finally, summer is here and we get to have an hour a day on the exercise yard. I miss three days because of my work schedule, but I am fortunate to get two days in the gym. I have a new radio after four years, so I get to listen to some music. Some things become second nature in prison. Like keeping only one earpiece in if you're alone and around people you don't know. Fortunately, living in the "workers" housing, there are very few threats.

I'll try not to let my letters fall behind. I guess I was hoping to share something super after the article was published. Oh well, at least I did end up a target of my backlash.

There is a spark of hope...

Until next time,
[signature]