March 21, 2012

Just A Shout Out To All Bloggers!

by Librado Clemena, Jr. (author's profile)

Transcription

"JUST A SHOUT OUT TO ALL BLOGGERS!"

It's been quite some time since i've blogged! I've been really busy in keepong up with my daily prgram and with the new group I just got started here at this prison. Want to hear about it?

Well, most of you heard about Toastmasters International, Inc. right? You know where you learn how to become effective and efficient Public Speakers? Well, that's for those who aren't incarcerated, and for thoe that are incarcerated our groups are called "Gavel Clubs." On January 4th, 2012, our group was approved by the Administration of this prison ad was I so happy! We named our group "Talk of the Town - Gavel Club."

We currently have a membership of thirty-six (36). This program is so different from all other ones that we've been involved in and we are having so much fun. I am the newly inducted President of this group and boy do I ever have a mission to serve. Though I know I can prevail at any challenge set before me.

However, if there is anyone out there that is involved or has any experience with toastmasters and/or Gavel Clubs please feel free to blog me and let me know you have gained it and your personal experiences. I am eager to learn everything I can to become an excellent Public Speaker because I intend to travel around the country if not around the world to help the "Troubled Youths of Today's Generation."

Something in my hart is telling me to help spread the message that we need to help close down the prison system and get more employment opportunities for each and every United States Citizen. It is outrageous the cost of inmate housing and construction of more prisons! There are families whom are still losing their homes due to the sky high cost-of-living expenses. Take the oil (gasoline) for one; everything is sky rocketing because of ridiculous oil prices. Watch the World Eveing News, they highlight the starving children not only in foreign countries, but it is now happening in our own country! And, we are supposed to be one of the wealthiest countries in the world?

What about the families that have lost their homs and they are now living in cardboard boxes with theor children? Yet, you have the local police department or sheriff's kicking them out of those homeless areas - where are they to go?

People, when I speak about these things, I get the goose-bumps, because I am not an animal and I do feel for those folks! I look at myself and here I sit in prison with a 32-years-to-Life sentence for a Residential Burglery (under California's Three Strike Law), I have seventeen years in and this state insists on keeping those of us that are non-violent, incarcerated, spend all those millions to house us, when they can be helping those children that are in dire need of assistance! All I was was a drug addict trying to live day by day ad fed my habit. Ask me today if I would repeat and/or go live down that same path? "I think not" I am tired of beong tired; I am fifty-one yeras old and just wantto live life to its fullest! At least before I pass on...I want to find me a woman with a beautiful heart and who's very understanding, whereas we cn both enjoy life together!

Well, until my next blog. Time is precious and we all deserve that quality time to express our feelings. Therefore, I await to hear yours...

Grateful and Curious,

Librado (Chuco) Clemena, Jr
#518

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Replies (5) Replies feed

Deblegs Posted 12 years, 8 months ago. ✓ Mailed 12 years, 8 months ago   Favorite
Thanks for writing! I finished the transcription for your post.

jrowan Posted 12 years, 8 months ago. ✓ Mailed 12 years, 8 months ago   Favorite
The point that you raise about spending millions to house non-violent incarcerated peoples whilst people starve and freeze on the streets does strike me as an odd thing for the government to do. I am pro-rehabilitation rather than incarceration, understanding that some prison time is necessary but many cases need help other than simply prison time.
I believe strongly that the world as we know it is changing, just watch the news and see the protests around the world, the grievances of the people and it is obvious. Governments need to respond to that and I feel that a reassessment of the penal system is part of that.
Thanks for writing, it's very interesting to hear your thoughts.

Librado Clemena, Jr. Posted 12 years, 7 months ago.   Favorite
(scanned reply – view as blog post)

Librado Clemena, Jr. Posted 10 years, 9 months ago.   Favorite
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jrowan Posted 10 years, 9 months ago. ✓ Mailed 10 years, 9 months ago   Favorite
Hi Librado!
I hope this finds you well, it was great to get a response. Don't worry about not responding before, sometimes we lose track of things and it's not our fault. I am quite forgetful myself.
I find it really interesting to hear what you have to say about your experiences in prison, I hear about conditions in prisons on TV or in news articles but to have actual knowledge of that experience just enforces it. I hope you have the space you need, I know I value my personal space and that must be difficult in prison. Especially an overcrowded prison. Obviously in the time we live, there's such an emphasis on money and economics which must definitely impact on your experiences within prison. Money is king, people are expendable.
I'm not an American, I'm actually British so I only have a vague understanding of Californian legalities and prison systems. I am very interested though so now I have some direction, maybe I can do some reading to try and increase what I know.

Once again, I hope this finds you well. I admire you spirit and your acceptance of your situation. Sometimes the only power we have is to be ourselves, so hold on to that power.
JRowan

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