California Governor Jerry Brown has canceled construction plans to build a new $356-million death row at San Quentin prison, saying it would be "unconscionable" to spend so much on condemned inmates as the state is slashing budgets for education and other social services. The Governor said "At a time when children, the disabled and seniors face painful cuts to essential programs, the state of California cannot justify a massive expenditure of public dollars for the worst criminals."




Apparently the construction of the new facility would have cost California's general fund almost $30 million A YEAR for the next 25 YEARS. Almost $800 MILLION DOLLARS. I was stunned to learn previous administrations have already spent about $20 million on planning and design for a two-building complex since the project was approved in 2003 (!) JUST to plan and design this thing! Its not surprising California's finances are in such a terrible state if this is how our tax dollars are being spent. I wonder if anywhere it is posted, a breakdown of where all this money went and to whom? Who is accountable and why aren't they being called to account? I don't suppose for the most part Californians have had any clue this has been going on.

To begin with I am NOT an advocate for the death penalty. I have never seen where it offers any more of a deterrent to murder or any other heinous crime than say the idea of a life sentence in prison, for such individuals who would commit such acts. In fact I tend to believe that if anything, believing one would spend the rest of his life in prison would be a much stronger deterrant to such crimes for most.Thats IF anyone who commits murder is in the state of mind to even consider the consequences, which in most cases I don't believe they are, in the moments of the act itself.

Even as it seems a death penalty is going to exist in this country for most states, I also don't understand why Death Row even needs to exist as a separate entity. After seeing first hand our nations system of incarceration, I don't see any reason these same inmates cannot be held and housed with and under basically the same conditions other" dangerous", "violent", "high risk" inmates are held in the High Security Prisons. We have, after all, all security levels of prison, from the minimum security Camps to the Super Max facilities. Why are prisoners who have been condemned to die kept in solitary cells apart from the main prison area for years, even decades, as they await their appointment with the executioner? Call me crazy, it makes no sense! Other than heaping punishment upon punishment. The end result is still the same, is that satisfaction of revenge, of imparting as much punishment, for as long as possible, worth the cost? And by costs I mean "financial", to all taxpayers, because, clearly, that cost to the victims is justifiable. But my blog today is about the financial costs, the waste. I was sickened to read "Conditions on the existing death row are "just dismal," said Donald Specter, director of the Prison Law Office, which advocates for inmates' rights. The cells are cramped, old and dilapidated, he said, and don't offer prisoners enough room to exercise. The worst conditions, including bird and rodent infestation and a plumbing problem that created "stalactites of human detritus" hanging over balconies, were cleaned up in response to a lawsuit a few years ago, Specter said." HOW can these conditions exit with taxpayer money allocating $135000 a year to every inmate on Death Row???!

We see our underfunded schools failing, we see social programs for the poor and elderly being scrapped...but the prison budget just gets bigger every year. And reports tell us Death Row costs us a staggering THREE TIMES the cost of regular encarceration!

An article I read stated California spends $44,500 a year on each prisoner, with, again, the cost of Death Row three times that. Where is there a public accounting for where/how this money, this incredulous outlay of taxpayer money, is being spent? Because although my son is in a federal prison for a marijuana "crime", its clear to anyone with eyesight, very little of the dollars supposedly spent on each federal inmate each year, actually IS spent on the inmate.

For some reason the Federal Govt's costs to house an inmate are almost half the costs of California's State prisons, as of last year the federal costs came in at reportedly, $27,250 per inmate, that cost of course is predicated on all costs to the facility including inmate care and "maintenance". Again, seeing firsthand the diet and the housing accommodations of federal prisoners (at least in a Low Security and a Minimum Security facility, both "Private" as well) I fail to see where the bulk of this expenditure lies, because CLEARLY its not being spent ON the prisoners themselves. For my son to eat a 'somewhat' healthier diet than the prison chow hall provides, my husband and I send him several hundred dollars per month to purchase from the prison commissary, healthier options with which he cooks his own meals. For those less fortunate they must rely solely on the nutrient-free but "required caloric" count the prison meals serve up. But of course I' ve come to understand the racket that the prison industrial complex has become, rather, has been for a long, long time, and will continue to be under the current system.

More than anything I just wonder at how "accepting" & unquestioning we are as a nation, of that system, particularly now, in the current financial straights we find ouselves...the country literally hanging by its fingernails over a cliff because of mispent, criminal and otherwise, taxpayer and investor money. Why is it no one ever demands to know how and why THAT MUCH MONEY is supposedly being "spent" on one of the nations biggest gobblers of taxpayer money (other than our military spending)? We elect one official after another, one President after another, and of all the expectations we have of them, why do we not expect, no, DEMAND more in our nations Justice System, and its sidekick, Encarcerations? If we did and if there was an investigation, a public accounting of the costs of that system, I believe the results would shock and stun most.

"Questions are a burden to others, answers are a prison for oneself." Patrick McGoohan

CALM

This past Tuesday Corey called early evening to relay the events of his day. When asked the previous day to go work with the crew he hadn’t any idea where they’d be going, but was eager to get away from the Camp for a day and looked forward to doing some community work. This day they were driven all the way up to a place called CALM….California Living Museum. Apparently about an hours drive from the Camp, I dicovered CALM lies half an hour north east of Bakersfield, close to Lake Ming. I hadn’t been aware Bakersfield even had such a plant and wildlife reserve (a “zoo” of sorts) so was very interested in hearing all about it. I also quickly “googled” it and the Overview described CALM as “ You haven't been to a zoo until you've visited the California Living Museum! CALM is California’s premier native zoo and botanic garden focusing exclusively on native animals and plants. Nestled on 13 acres in the foothills of Bakersfield, a visit to CALM will give you a glimpse of the diversity of our golden state. CALM's collection includes a variety of animals from reptiles to black bears and birds of prey to Gizmo, the squirrel who was used as a model for "Hammy" in the popular DreamWorks movie "Over the Hedge."

You can learn more about CALM by visiting their website at http://www.calmzoo.org/

Corey described his day as ‘AMAZING!”. He told me this day was the first time on such a trip away from the Camp that he actually felt himself relax and experience what “freedom” really felt like, and he relished the mixed feelings of excitement and "calm". He was tasked with helping in the repairs of the duck pond that had been underway for some time apparently, but that they were able to finish up once and for all, giving him a sense of accomplishment. Aside from other, smaller tasks, cleanup and small repairs, he was entrusted with being “free” to wander around the property pretty much at will. Amidst the other ‘zoo‘ visitors, he felt comfortable and at ease, and was happy for these feelings.

There was a moment, in the course of his day, that somewhat removed the "blush" off his rose. He found himself standing outside the fence from a mountain lion, as he watched the big cat seemed intent on something off in the distance...walking up to the fence that imprisoned him, he slowly, gently, lifted a front paw to rest on the fence. After a few moments he removed his paw and slowly retreated to lay further back in the lair. Corey felt an immense sadness, fully understanding, the knowing, the intense, unequivocal reminding of the loss of ones freedom. He told me he, like most of us, had never spent a lot of time considering the appropriateness of zoo's in the past, and wonders at our willingness, eagerness even, as a civilized society, to confine other species, as well as our own, without much consideration to the act itself or the consequences to society. Todays prison industrial complex can easily be seen as a massive system of zoo's for the human species. Most see the surface...and not the suffering. There is of course a need for dealing with those who break our nations laws, but this system now in place has been taken over by mass elements of greed, of foxes minding the hen house. It is no longer a system where the time should fit the crime, but rather "the longer the time, the greater the profits!". Ka ching...

Again, I digress...I start writing and before long I'm back on my platform!

There comes for most, if you have been separated from society for many years, as many prisoners are (my son has been interred for 7 full years now, as a non-violent, first time offender, for anyone just now tuning in) a time you begin to realize there will be a period of adjustment, that many things in your 'makeup' have changed. The longer the sentence, the longer you are away from the real world, the greater the extent of “institutionalization” and the longer it can take to “fit in” again. The longer you have been deprived of making all and any choices in regard to your own personal life, the more difficult it is to take responsibility for doing so once again. For every man this experience differs and is personal and unique, and in accordance to the support he has waiting on the other side of the “walls”.

The first time Corey was “allowed” to leave the Camp was on a furlough leave the day his dad underwent a risky, and lengthy surgical procedure, just this last October. He had been incarcerated for 6 ½ years at that time. He was grateful, as were we all, that he was approved leave to be at his fathers side, offering support to his brother and I as well, during that long and stressful day. The following day he expressed to me how happy and relieved he’d been to be there with us all, but that, much to his surprise, he had felt oddly out of place, and experienced quite a bit of anxiety. He related how it wasn’t until he was back at the Camp later that day, that he felt the defining stress dissolve.

But not so this day. Suffice it to say, Corey evidently experienced few if any, of these feelings his day at CALM (how ironic is that). Listening to him describe his day, I knew Corey was surprised and exuberant to realize that any concerns or worries he has harbored, as to his "place" in the world, and of taking hold of his life with both hands again, are but considerations that will be replaced by the opportunities he is willing to embrace.

Interesting how this particular outing, to a place innocuously named “CALM” delivered this enlightening message.

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship. ~Louisa May Alcott

FRIDAY WITH COREY April 22/11

And so it was, another highly anticipated visit with my son. I look forward to Fridays more than any other day of the week, as its generally the day I always get to see Corey. I arrived promptly at 9 am. Although visitation opens at 8 am in the morning (and lasts until 3 pm in the afternoon), long ago we got in the habit of not being the first 10 or so visitors, as it lessens the odds of our being asked to leave early those times the room fills to capacity while hopeful visitors are still standing in line to get in.

The first three years of his sentence, Corey was incarcerated in the Low security facility, just across the way from the Camp. “Terminations” to visits happened less often there in that our visitation points were calculated by the hour and we could pick times, a few hours generally (not all day) on those days we’d visit (we had 5 days available for visiting there as opposed to just 3 at the Camp), picking the day or the part of the day that was generally least busy, to avoid this type of thing.

This past year in particular it isn’t often anymore that the guards ask anyone to terminate their visits, perhaps that has something to do with new, both Main Facility and Camp, Wardens, but suffice it to say this past year they are more accommodating in allowing visitors to work together to make more space for newcomers (doubling up at tables for example) rather than resorting to just kicking people out. This is appreciated more than they can know, especially for those visitors who have traveled long distances to visit, and/or were not able to visit on a regular basis because of jobs. Imagine flying or driving hours and hours, in high anticipation of finally seeing your loved one, only to have that visit abruptly ended within 4 or less hours! Believe me, it happens! Over at the “Low” when things became crowded the guards would generally always first ask if anyone would be willing to “volunteer” to leave, to allow those others I’ve mentioned to continue their visit. The guards never ask this of us at the Taft Camp, but those times when we would see them bring out the dreaded "list" and start to scroll down to the first arrivals (the rule is "first in/first out") and start asking these folks to leave, we generally always would (will)approach them to volunteer to leave, and allow someone else to stay (one of the long distance visitor or such). Thanks to our moving to California to be closer to our son, so as to be able to visit often, we know we’ll be seeing him again the next week.

Corey and I had a lively political discussion this afternoon. We have opposing views on some policies but when all is said and done I believe we are on the same page as to what policy changes we feel are needed to help move our country though these difficult economic times. Maintaining and cutting taxes to the wealthiest americans we agree should not have been the first option on the table, the first policy implemented when it came up for renewal. Having extended the Bush tax cuts will cost us $900 Billion in lost taxes in these next 2 years. The idea of “trickle down” economic policy, implemented in large part when Ronald Reagan was President, doesn’t seem to have worked all that well for the nation at large. Case in point, look around you. Corey believes in lesser taxes for businesses and corporations, but that regulation is key.

We both discussed the idea of "tax credits" for corporations, rewards based on the role they play in providing jobs and services to the communities (domestic or global) they serve. I think he's a little naive by also believing they themselves are in the best position to illustrate what their particular “role” and result is come tax time. I disagree in that the bigger the corporations the more loss of tax dollars (ergo loss to the nations coffers) thanks to loopholes and tax havens/shelters, along with hundreds of lawyers on their payroles (take GE for example)that would foil such a system. Allowing the corporations to self regulate, as they have been able to do for the past decades pretty much, buying influence from the powerful in Govt, has proven this particular policy is unworkable...beyond “unworkable”…simply dangerous to the economy and lifeblood of the nations economy. Great for their own small and personal world they inhabit though! Greed will always be the overriding factor, or human nature which in this case needs supervision. As we’ve heard various politicians state, there is a strong need to update, modernize if you will, our nations Tax Policy, and it will need to be done with much care, deliberation, and the needs of the country overriding the needs for profits being the manifesto. In todays political climate I just don’t have much faith in that happening.

I am not a socialist, even though Americans as a whole seem to think all Canadians (of which I am one) are, but would consider myself as Independant, with perhaps conservative values more consistent with Republican views "of old" (as opposed to their seemingly short sighted, extreme in measure, self serving views currently on display). I do feel there IS a need for certain socialist programs however (its the Canadian in me creeping out),that its about balance...the Governments Social Security program for example, and many other programs utilizing tax dollars for the good of all (= socialism) but taxes are the key. And by that I don't mean cutting taxes or spending. Rather than taking an ax to our education system (key to a civilized and forward thinking nation), or social programs that allow our elderly to live with dignity, or our children to eat every day (and don’t get me started on our nations military and private contract spending to wage all our wars overseas, the greatest gobbler of our nations dollars!), IF we could, if we would actually come up with a fair and equitable tax policy that all would abide by, we both believe all our financial problems would be solved! Ahhh ...utopia!

Anyways Corey and I hashed this issue out for an hour or so, then moved onto equally disturbing subjects like who got kicked off American Idol! The week Pia was booted was almost the coup de gras for Corey. He feels its all “politics”, or a faulty voting system, that, much like our current federal/state Govt voting system, is rigged and out of control. He says his days of Idol watching are now limited, especially if James Durbin gets the boot.

After hours of quality conversation involving all manner of subject matter, we said our adieu’s at 2:30...a half hour before visitation formally ends, but Corey likes to avoid the longer wait line to get back to general pop(ulation) that comes with waiting until 3 pm to end his visit. And knowing everything he does and everywhere he goes, pretty much involves standing, waiting in a line, I completely understand. Now those times a “girlfriend” might visit, well, that’s another matter entirely ...general pop can wait, LOL . But I’m just “mom“, and I’ll be seeing him again next week.

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy. ~ Ernest Benn

SUGAR AND SUGAR SUBSTITUTES

Many experts have classified refined sugar quite literally as a poison because it has been depleted of its life forces, vitamins and minerals. "What is left consists of pure, refined carbohydrates. When one considers the average american, in one week, consumes 2 to 3 lbs of sugar a week, or a 135 lbs (!) a year, of sugar in one form or another, its clear how detrimental this is to our health. According to studies, up until the 1890‘s that consumption averaged only 5 lbs per year.

I’m sure Glycemic Index is by now a term known by, if not completely understood by, most of us, especially if you are diabetic. Glycemic Index is a number rating given a food that indicates how it affects our blood sugar levels. The lower the number the slower the food is absorbed in the bloodstream, a high rating means that blood-glucose levels are increased quickly, which stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin to drop blood-sugar levels. Rapid fluctuations of blood-sugar levels are not healthy because of the stress they place on the body. One of sugar's major drawbacks is that it raises the insulin level, which inhibits the release of growth hormones, which in turn depresses the immune system. This is not something you want to take place if you want to avoid disease. The list of harmful effects caused by consuming sugar seems endless, you can google “harmful effects of sugar” to see just how long!

The past 5 or more years I have found it increasingly difficult to keep my own weight stable, and a year ago had even been diagnosed as “pre-diabetic”. This shocked me as I had always remained at, generally, the low end of the weight chart for my size and shape, and exercised on a fairly regular basis. NOT mind you to the extent I had, prior to this massive upheaval of our lives. So anyways, it become clear these past few years that changes regarding eating and exercising needed to be implemented, and have been to a great extent and I am no longer “pre-diabetic” thank goodness. But so continues my interest in and search for the healthiest possible sugar alternative to make certain food changes in our diet more palatable and rewarding.

Two years ago the newest “wonder” sweetener was Stevia (well to me it was). Stevia comes from a South American shrub whose leaves have been used for centuries by native peoples in Paraguay and Brazil to sweeten their yerba mate and other stimulant beverages. I took to using it on a regular basis after researching it and you might want to as well. It has a Glycemic index of ZERO. Studies have shown however that excessive consuming of Stevia DOes have drawbacks (and we in america generally always go to extremes, as in our sugar consumption!). Consuming large amounts of Stevia a day, in say, soda, could still be very detrimental to your health. You can, again, google and find our for yourself. Stevia can be purchased in both granular form or liquid drops (even flavored extracts!).

SO still not happy with not finding the “perfect” and healthy alternative to sugar my search continued. This past year I "discovered" Agave (made from the Blue Agave Plant), well, the advertising was everywhere if you were paying attention. And I thought, “ahaa”…wonderful! Even better!“ and soon several bottles of Agave nectar lined my pantry shelf as I utilized, instead of Stevia for the most part, this wonderful new sweetener. Sadly I learned, just recently in fact, that unfortunately, use of concentrated Agave also has consequences. Although it does have a much lower GI (15 - 30) than refined sugar (which is 80) and therefore is a healthier substitute, Agave IS a refined Fructose, which it turns out is really no better than a refined glucose or sucrose. So if you are diabetic you will want to do further research re Agave.

And so, disappointed, my search continued.

News flash! I have recently learned of Xylitol. Pure xylitol is a white crystalline substance that looks and tastes like sugar. It is a naturally occurring 5-carbon sugar alcohol found in many fruits and vegetables and is produced in small amounts by the human body. It has the same sweetness as sugar (sucrose) but with 40% fewer calories and none of the negative tooth decay or insulin release effects of sugar. I understand Xylitol can however cause bloating and some diarrhea with initial consumption (since purchasing and using I can happily report I had none of these side effects). It's said to be safe for pregnant women, and is said to possibly treat ear infections, osteoposis, respiratory infections, candida, and is it even helps fight cavities. In fact, in Finland, virtually all chewing gum is sweetened with xylitol. Google it to learn of further benefits.

But again, I caution to avoid extremes in its, or any “sugars“, use. The list of “sweeteners” is long and well worth exploring for anyone wishing to still have “sweetness” in their lives and eating plan. Just remember, never to use any articial sweeteners, there are several brands that come to mind, you know which they are, do not be fooled into thinking they are healthy alternatives. From everything I have now read, for me, the “go to” sugar replacements will be Stevia and Xylitol.

FRIDAY WITH COREY

Although the day outside was warm and sunny, and several vacant picnic table beckoned to me, knowing it would not only be most agreeable to sit in the sun, and would be quieter out on the small enclosed patio, we sat inside at our table instead, amidst the rising volume of voices and often noisy children. Corey prefers to not to sit outside, even on the best of days, weather-wise, as he feels that area, slightly more private (for those living in a place where privacy is nonexistent) is left available for those inmates who have wives or girlfriends visiting. A “sanctuary” (if such a thing can be said to exist in a federal prison) where there is a slightly more modicum of privacy, absent the tables filled with families and noisy children or babies, a slight respite where they can have the “illusion” of intimacy.

Not that any hanky panky goes on out there on the patio, the area is wide open to the scrutiny of the ever-watchful guards, & by the placement of large mirrors in all corners of the small concrete patio, as well as the large floor to ceiling windows that separate the small outside space from the inside visiting area. No, no hanky panky (god forbid!) for these couples who, despite the odds, seem determined to sustain their relationship amidst all the hardships that come with years of separation and extremely limited communication opportunities.

Unlike the U.S. State prison system, no conjugal visits are EVER permitted within the Federal prisons. Add to this extreme limitations in any form of communications available to these men and the women they love, time served inside a federal prison is all the more punishing. Inmates at Taft (and most all Federal prisons) are allowed only 300 minutes of phone use per month (equal to one 10 minute call per day), and visitation is limited to 20 “points” per month, which basically works out to a maximum of 4 visits each month, but only if you are able to visit on a Friday. If you are only able to visit on a weekend day, the points only allow for 2 or at most 3 visits per month. Although email has been a welcome addition in recent years, it has not yet been rolled out to all Federal facilities. Though a Federal facility, Taft is a privately run prison (MTC holds the current contract) and only recently adopted a “e-messaging” system. The main difference in this system and your usual email through an ISP, is that this one costs not only the inmate but the recipient/respondent “outside“ the walls to use, making it even more profitable to the Corporation providing the service (and MTC as well). In Taft's case, that company is JPay.com. I don’t agree with the concept, as it once again gouges those least able to afford it, but who wish to increase ties to loved ones inside, however was thrilled beyond measure at having one more avenue (though inmates are “limited” to its use) of communicating with our son.

Corey remains steadfast in not sending out “invitations” to other family or friends to write him using the e-messaging service, he is hesitant to ask or expect anyone to have to set up an acct with Jpay, putting their credit card on file with this company, to have to pay to write him. Although the cost is minimal, only 40 cents per e-message page, less than a stamp, and the messages arrive within hours, or a day at most, vs. several days for a letter to reach him in the mail, he remains resolute in not expecting others to contribute to the profits made by our bloated, prison industrial complex, or to expect anyone to put their credit card information in the hands of not-well-known companies like Jpay. Most of us are used to purchasing items over the internet and feel confident enough in its security measures, that this isn’t a concern, but more than anything I understand it’s more a matter of “principle” for Corey. I also believe he feels if one can’t, or won’t, take the time it takes to write/print out/mail a letter on their computer, or message him on his Facebook or Myspace sites, OR to actually hand-write, a letter to him, he’s not about to send out ‘reminders” to those folks that he’s still in prison and would like to hear from them!

I understand his feelings but will continue to try to encourage him to send out “invitations” as it seems in todays fast paced, more self-involved society, letter writing has become a lost art. The internet has replaced that more personal, more intimate link in communication, with email, twitter, social networking sites like Facebook, My Space, Classmates, and blogs. Sadly, for many with “good intentions“, once out of sight, out of mind may be their only “excuse”.


And none will hear the postman's knock
Without a quickening of the heart.
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?
~W.H. Auden

OODLES OF NOODLES

Having started back on my low carb, high protein eating plan (I try to never say “diet“, it jinxes me from the get go), I was beginning to crave carbs like crazy after just a few days. And sweets as well of course. I know my body is going through withdrawal from the lack of these items and I’m “managing”, knowing it will be temporary. But wondering if my suffering was necessary, I began scouring cook books and online sites for low carb, high protein recipes and began thinking there just HAD to be a low carb noodle or pasta somewhere! I remembered having heard of an asian “miracle” noodle, many months back, but wasn’t on a low carb plan at the time, but after some googling, much to my delight, I found them!. Japanese Shirataki or Konjaku noodles have been used in Asian countries for a couple thousand years now and are made from the Konjac plant . These thin, chewy noodles are translucent and naturally low in carbohydrates. The noodles do not have any flavor of their own, they absorb the flavors from spices and sauces they are cooked with. Shirataki noodles are made of naturally water soluble fiber, have no fat, sugar, or starch.

The more I researched the more excited I became! Wow, a noodle that:
* contains zero net carbohydrates and zero calories, no gluten -made of a healthy natural fiber called Glucomannan.
* is wheat & gluten free and kosher.
* easily absorbs the flavors of any soup, dish, or sauce.
* are instant and come in a variety of styles
* have shown beneficial effects backed by medical studies for Type II Diabetes, Constipation, Obesity, and Cholesterol!

I began my search by calling Trader Joes and also Lassens here in Bakersfield, but neither had even heard of them. So I started googling asian markets in the city and came across a few that were close by. The very first one I called had them in stock.

Within an hour, happy as a clam at high water, I left my local asian market with a few bags of Shirataki noodles tucked under my arm. The product I purchased was made from yam flour (“Devils Tongue” yam flour, aka konjakku flour) and water. They come in white or a brownish color, the brown color comes from a type of seaweed they use in the making, and it adds more nutrients as well, an added bonus. I was also thrilled at the 'bargain' price I'd paid, online no matter what site I visited, the cost per 16 oz bag (with shipping) was going to be $6/bag...at my local asian market I paid only $3/bag. I scored!

I followed the instructions for rinsing well, as upon opening the bag there was a slight “fishy” smell. I actually rinsed them in cold water several times, then left them to sit in a large bowl of cold water for the few hours before dinner. I sampled one and it really had no taste so I knew it would take on the flavor of whatever I stir fried it with. Having found a nice chicken teriyaki stir fry recipe I served it for dinner, and despite my husband's initial reservations as he saw me dump the opaque noodles into my wok, he loved them! As did I!! I am thrilled beyond belief to be able to add NOODLES to my low carb eating plan and can’t wait to start trying some of the literally hundreds of recipes I have found online utilizing these noodles, including mexican and italiano recipes!! This is going to be fun!

SOMEONE’S IDEA OF FUN

We visited Corey yesterday, a Sunday. The visitation room filled to capacity by late morning, usual on a Sunday, it generally always being the busiest of the three visiting days allowed each week. More family’s show up this day along with lots of small children and babies, therefore its generally also the noisiest of all the days, and sometimes we’ll find it difficult to hear each other speak. But we make do, its just great to be together, and we don’t visit on that many Sundays.Corey caught us up on the goings-on the past week.

I was especially interested in hearing about his latest experience on the Outcrew. Wednesday they had been taken to another of Taft’s parks to work, somewhat smaller in scope, so it was a more relaxing day for everyone. The weather was beautiful, though slightly warmer than usual for a spring day here, and I knew how much he looked forward to getting out and away from the Camp for a day. At lunch time they were driven over to Jabobs Burgers for lunch, a newer burger joint in town. "The best burgers in town" according to their Supervisor that day. Corey said he thoroughly enjoyed his hot pastrami sandwich and pepsi. When it was time to return to the prison, the Supervisor took some extra time to drive around the community and show the men some local sights. I thought this was a wonderful, kind gesture. For most these men, such as my son, ts been a long time since they have seen anything besides the prison and surrounding desert at the Taft Camp or another prison. I loved that Corey was finally able to see the community his dad and I spent the last five years at, and that I had written of in so, so many of my letters to him.

Last Friday morning there had been an announcement over the loud speaker in the unit that because the facility had scored so well (“thanks in large part to the cooperation and hard work of the inmates“ they were told), in the Camps latest Accreditation Rreview (the prison is a privately operated facility and its imperitive their inspections for accreditation go well in order to keep their contract…ka ching, ka ching), the Warden had approved that two new movies would be shown that evening, Black Swan and The Fighter! Coreys friend and cellmate, Stan, had come into the cube they share to tell Corey the news. He told him everyone was pretty excited because both movies were touted as excellent films, both won awards on Oscar night this year, and both are R rated movies and R rated movies are not allowed to be shown in the prison. A few hours later, after enough time had passed to assure everyone had heard the good news, another announcement came across….that of “...about those movies…April Fools!“. It seems the staff involved in this little prank thought their little joke pretty darned funny. For all the men interred at the camp, who’d been genuinely thrilled at the evenings prospects, it having been all the buzz , well, they were not laughing. I like a good joke but not at someone’s expense and wondered at this lack of sensitivity … that this could really be someones idea of a joke under the circumstances and that it would be “acceptable“ behavior for the staff at Taft.

Luckily Corey had been dubious from the start (he learned early on in this journey "no expectations/no disappointments") ... when Stan had first delivered the news he’d said to him “think about it Stan, whats the date today?“….Stan had looked at him, shook his head, got a sick look on his face and said “no way, they wouldn’t do that”….guess again.

"It is better to weep with wise men than to laugh with fools". Spanish Proverb

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Its a Carpenter Bee !

With spring has come, to my great chagrin, another new (at least to me!) flying bug. Arghhhhh! Last year I was introduced to the Fig Beetle, a large, iridescent flying bug that would send me racing for the house the moment I heard the loud buzzzzing come from the southwest side of my house. They had taken up residence in my nectarine tree it appeared (they love to eat the soft, sweet fruits, as well as the neighbors figs!) and hung around a good month or so, until all the fruit was gone! You can see this rather fearsome creature in this picture salivating over its next meal.

THIS summer it appears our new squatters are Carpenter Bees!

I was out in my veggie garden this afternoon, planting my new, flegling tomato plants when I heard a buzzing in the air close by, and I kid you not, as the insect flew by me the "wind" created by its wings caused movement of my hair!!! I looked up to see what I at first perceived to be a large (VERY large) yellow bumble bee hovering over the flowering shrub next to me. I yelled at Rod to quick, come take a look ... I’d never seen a bumble bee THIS big. Of course when he finally ambled out, not especially eager to see what was causing my latest bug-freak-out, "super bee" had disappeared. As I breathed my sigh of relief, suddenly the air was filled with the large flying insects!! Well, 3 or 4 of them at least! They kept flying back and forth over one section of fence that separates us from one of our neighbors, but would get dangerously closer to us every time. SO of course I ran for the house!….to “google“ them naturally!

To my (somewhat) relief it turns out they are male Carpenter Bees, sometimes referred to as ‘teddy bear’ bees, because of their yellowish-brownish color and fuzzy burly bodies and (happy "sigh") they do NOT bite. BUT... wait for it....the females (apparently they are all black with violet reflections on their dark wings) DO...but for now I haven't seen any of them. From what I continued to learn they would, as females duh, be at home, working their butts off preparing to lay eggs and to consolidate food.

I also learned their name comes from the fact they tunnel through wood to make their nests, they carve with their mandibles (jaws) but do not ingest the wood. Only the females excavate the tunnels, which average six to 10 inches in depth. They are also the largest bees in California, about 15 mm long (I told you they were big!) and their eggs as well, are the largest of all insect eggs.

The males are territorial and can be quite aggressive, they will hover and lie in wait for passing females ( female BEES happily, not female humans!). Like I mentioned earlier, I was distressed to learn the females DO sting, but somewhat placated by the fact they have to be pretty upset to do so. I mean, hey, we're all "sista's" right?...I'm sure we'll get along just fine. FYI, the males simply don't have the necessary apparatus to sting. But who needs to sting when you are that big, loud and scary looking!

UC Davis emeritus entomology professor Robbin Thorp says he tries to convince people to learn to live with these bees as “they are important pollinators in our environment and have potential as pollinators of some crops.” So, ok Dr Thorp, I'll do my best! Seems I really don't have much say in the matter. I'll try to remember how beneficial they are in their pollination of my flowers.


What do you suppose?
A bee sat on my nose.
Then what do you think?
He gave me a wink
And said, "I beg your pardon,
I thought you were the garden."
~English Rhyme

Prison boss charged with DUI

Harley Lappin (who has just announced his retirement from his postion as Director of the Bureau of Prisons) was arrested last month outside Annapolis

Capital Gazette Communications
Published 03/31/11

The director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, was arrested last month near his Annapolis Neck home and charged with six crimes, including driving under the influence and reckless driving.

Harley Lappin ... is scheduled to stand trial June 16 in Annapolis District Court.

He faces three charges related to drunk driving. Lappin also is charged with reckless driving, negligent driving and failure to obey the instructions of a traffic-control device.

“The highlight of each assignment during my bureau career was the people I worked with each and every day,” Lappin said in a statement on Friday. “They are the backbone of this agency. They are the reason for our success. I thank each and every one of them for their support and leadership.”

(By SCOTT DAUGHERTY, Staff Writer)

So, Mr. Lappin is saying the bloated, overpopulated prison industrial complex over which he has held domain is a “success”????? I would suggest Mr. Lappins interpretation of success and mine differ widely. If “success” means we as a nation now encarcerate more people per capita than any other nation on earth, if success means we are a system set on doling out punishement-for-life for even non-violent, low level offenses, (for upon serving ones sentence, including the probationary sentence in YEARS that inevitably follows, the offender’s “felony” remains on record for life, putting sometimes insurmountable hurdles in front of any attempts to move forward upon release as a law abiding citizen looking for a job and housing…and let us not forget the newly disenfranchised former inmate no longer has the right to vote in Federal elections), IF making the public less safe by these systematic strippings of all basic human needs and rights, encouraging the desperate back into lives of crime in order to survive is deemed a “success”, then yes Mr Lappin, you have been most successful. The recidivism rate in this country is over 75%! Congratulations to you and your staff.

Perhaps it will take a short stint in one of his federal prisons to open Mr Lappins eyes to the reprehensible system he has helped not simply perpetuate, but grow. Why do I advocate a prison sentence for Mr Lappin? When my young son was sentenced for a first time, non-violent marijuana offense, the prosecutor demanded (and was granted) an additional two and a half years in prison due to the fact of my sons “previous criminal history”. The 10 year sentence (minimum and "mandatory) he had sought and was granted for the marijuana offense had not yet satisfied him. What you might ask was this “previous criminal history”? This "criminal history" of my sons consisted of two “wet negs” my son had on his driving record, two misdemeanors for negligent driving when he was in his very early 20’s. A wake up call to any of you who never for a moment thought that misdemeanor driving infractions were punishable by years in prison.

If those two offenses were considered “criminal” history/behavior, then Mr Lappin deserves the same consideration.

I do not advocate prison time for anyone who has not committed a violent act or one that results in victims needlessly suffering from the consequences of the actions of others, but in the case of a person in a position of power over others, in just such a case as this, I feel it is not only"just," it is necessary.

There is a destiny that makes us brothers: none goes his way alone,
All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.
~Edwin Markham

Michael Santos

The husband of a friend of mine (I met Carole online in the early part of my sons prison journey, a long story I’ll write about another time) has a website and a Facebook site where he contributes articles related to his lengthy progression through the prison system. Michael is a longtime prisoner currently residing at Taft Camp where my son is serving his sentence as well. Over the years Michael has written/published several books and manuscripts, has a new Foundation in his name (a nonprofit organization set up to assist offenders post release as well as todays at-risk youth), and contributes in blog form to the Huffington Post. He and his amazing wife strongly advocate for prison reform as well as offer assistance to anyone preparing to serve time within a Federal prison, navigating their way through the sentence they are, or will be, serving, as well as post release. Anyone wishing to learn or read more about this fascinating and most interesting man and prolific author can currently visit his Facebook page or his website (google MichaelSantos.net). I urge anyone reading this post of mine to visit him at:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Michael-G-Santos/101936186518234

If clicking the link won't take you there just copy and paste the above into your webs browser.

My intent today in bringing this up is to copy/post a story Michael wrote, earlier this month, about an inmates experience in the Taft Prison SHU, aka Segregated Housing Unit, aka The Hole. I do so because I am very familiar with the topic of which he writes, the SHU - the “prison within the prison” - as my son who, now in his eighth year of encarceration, has spent time in SHU four times. And, like the young man in Michael's story, all were for incredulously ridiculous, as well as a few “trumped up,” charges. More on that another day. Michael does an excellent job of describing the SHU conditions and how little it takes to find oneself relegated to it’s tiny confines.

Again, I encourage you to visit Michaels Facebook page and learn more about this man and the system of which he writes, todays prison industrial complex and the nations so called "Correctional Institution." And now, heres Michaels post:

“A recent article in Rolling Stone describes the level of injustice in America's prison system. On some level, all of that is understandable. Self-dealing has been around since human beings began recording history. Machiavelli wrote about our treacherous world hundreds of years ago. After 24 years in prison, I’ve become mostly immune to it. I don't care that Dick Fuld, the former CEO of Lehman Brothers clings to money he schemed to obtain through fraud. It doesn't matter to me that federal prosecutors chose to forgo insider trading charges against John Mack, the CEO of Morgan Stanley. Rather than complaining about it, it's best to pursue peace in spite of it.

That was the advice I gave to a young prisoner at Taft Camp who just returned after longer than two months in “the hole.” He was taken to the hole (SHU, segregated housing, a prison within the prison) for what I consider a ridiculous reason. The prisoner had requested placement on a special diet. Staff complied. One of the rules of being on that diet is to refrain from eating anything from the standard menu. A staff member accused the prisoner of touching a piece of cake that was part of the standard menu, but not part of the special diet. She charged the prisoner with a rule violation that resulted in his being locked in the hole for longer than two months.

The alleged offense was that the prisoner touched a piece of cake. Wow! For that egregious offense, a staff member condoned the young man’s isolation in the hole for months.

Time in the hole comes with many consequences, not the least of which is a solitary existence inside a closet-sized cell. Time in the hole means the prisoner cannot access the telephone. It means he cannot purchase food from the commissary. It means the prisoner cannot exercise freely, or access the library. It's suffocating.

To me it's a gross abuse of power. If someone in society were to lock another human being in a closet for more than two months, people would scream of it being inhumane. In prison, such a course of action is condoned as a normal, routine procedure. People complain about animals being locked in such conditions. For prisoners...no problem at all.

The young man asked me what he could do to prevent another stint in the hole. I told him there wasn't anything he could do. Being a prisoner means being vulnerable to the whims of others. Although a man can control his own behavior, he cannot control how others will behave, and anyone can be locked in the hole at any time.

One solution to finding peace in prison is to live without expectation of anything except disruption and corruption. That way, a man can make himself less vulnerable to the trauma that follows. I define myself through the choices I make every day; I consider it my duty to find peace regardless of what forces complicate my life. It’s the path to living with dignity and creating meaning—just breathe in, find ways to strengthen the mind, move on with a total acceptance that life can become better through the decisions we make.

Every man must carve his own path, and navigate his own way to peace. I wrote about steps I take in my book Prison! My 8,344th Day."



It is not a Justice System. It is just a system. ~Bob Enyart