Tonight I received a D.R.C. appeal ruling for 3 books the unit mailroom denied recently. Below is the text of the appeal I filed with the D.R.C. and the two sheets that are the ruling on the appeal. Just another example of TDCJ bureaucratic despotism. I wonder if they would have denied 3 copies of the new book by that most profound right-wing darling Sarah Palin…?
R.
[Date written: 12/29/09]
Robert Will #999402Polunsky Unit3872 F.M. 350 SouthLivingston, TX. 77351
December 14, 2009
Monday
Director’s Review Committee
P.O. Box 99
Huntsville, TX. 77342
DRC:
On 12/4/09 I received two separate I-153 “Denial Forms” concerning 3 books that were denied from one order sent by Dover Publications. The justification for the denial was given as “multiple copies.”
I have thoroughly reviewed BP-3.91 and nowhere in the policy does it state that we are not allowed to receive multiple copies of the same book. Furthermore, on previous occasions I have received more than one copy of the same book. When I asked the delivering mail room clerk why the books were denied I was told, “Because you can traffic and trade with them.”
The books that were denied are “Lysistrata” by the classic Greek playwright Aristophanes and 2 copies of the great American political philosopher Henry David Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience and Other Essays.” I have never heard of books being used for “trafficking and trading” and books such as these are read by only perhaps 1% of the prison population or less.
I would like to respectfully request that the 3 denied books be returned to me. Thank you for your time in this matter.Respectfully submitted
Rob WillTurned in 12/15/09
Earlier one of my neighbors and I were listening to the news and commenting on all of the current socio-political issues being talked about—Iraq, Afghanistan, Health Care, etc.—when we were interrupted by someone yelling out that we’re on some type of temporary lockdown.
I ventured to the door to investigate and found out that some officers from the Death Row building had to rush out to general population to stop a gang fight, so they temporarily stopped all movement on the unit. Two officers were over by the control picket talking about how “the Mexican gangs are out there beatin’ the shit out of each other again.”
We went back to our discussion and then began a Poetry Reading. Being that we’re in the middle of Yule I dropped a poem by Samuel Coleridge that alludes to the essence of Yule. Then we started vibing on some poetry by Mario Benedetti and someone interrupted us again.
A guy just came back from visitation and as he was walking down the hall he saw Ms. Smith being taken to the Captain and Major’s office while raving about how she was “going to kick that fucking bitch’s ass!!” Apparently another female officer became fed up with property officer Smith’s maniacally sordid ways and said something in challenge to her reign of terror and Ms. Smith almost physically attacked her before other officers intervened.
Similar instances have happened in the past with Ms. Smith, one of which I have personally witnessed—she makes no distinction between inmates and officers when unleashing venomously malicious attacks. So, a gang riot is going is going on right now, a bunch of officers are in an uproar because of Ms. Smith’s antics, two guys downstairs are yelling at the top of their lungs cursing each other out behind an argument over Sports, and me and my neighbor are about to continue our Poetry Reading in the midst of chaos…
To be a creator, to live an Artistic Life; to leap from mountaintops with the wings of an eagle while battles rage in the valleys; to live Life fully, to love Life deeply, to reach out and grasp beauty in the midst of chaos; to be an explorer and allow your consciousness to soar to new heights; to constantly grow and challenge your Self; to uplift others and strive to allow Light to emanate from your Being like illuminating rays from a thousand-petaled Lotus; to conquer adversity with the unwavering force of a war-frenzied band of Titans, but to do so peacefully—that is a very profound thing indeed.
Love & Strength:
Rob
[Date Written: 12.30.09]
Another pillar that holds up property officer Smith’s reign of terror has been revealed: Cheryl Lawson. I don’t know who she is, but her name is on the “signature authority” line of the step 2 grievance I filed concerning Ms. Smith on 10/12/09. I just received the grievance back tonight. Here’s the response:Your step 1 narrative, investigation, and response have been reviewed. This investigation finds you were offered a settlement on 12/8/09 and refused. Therefore, no further action is warranted.You can check out my updates The Most Perfidious Ms. Smith Strikes Again (aprox. 7/28) and Ms. Smith’s Apologist (9/29) to be informed of details of this whole ordeal, but here’s the gist:On 7/14/09 Ms. Smith stole a stack of 3-ply carbon paper from me. I filed a grievance and almost 5 months later I finally received the above response back.Let me explain what the “settlement offer” was. A grievance officer came to my door and said that she was instructed to offer me a bag of beans, a bag of rice, a chili pouch, and 20 envelopes as a settlement for my stolen property. That amounts to $3.00. First of all, Ms. Smith stole about $10.00 in carbon paper from me. Secondly, I wasn’t going to accept property that was obviously stolen from another inmate! TDCJ bureaucratic absurdity…While I’m on the subject of the most treacherous, Ms. Smith I’ll mention an incident that illustrates the profound depth of her depravity:When Crazy Mike was taken to be executed, Ms. Smith was out by the Death Van. Let me explain why this is so significant. A while back I was talking to my neighbor and he was expressing to me how he thought Ms. Smith was the most hateful person he had ever met. During the conversation he said, “Man, she’s sick, her mind is disturbed—she’s the only officer who goes out to the Death Van on execution days who doesn’t have to be there!” I’ve previously thought that it was rather strange how Ms. Smith looks at the Death Van with a weird glare in her eyes, but I always figured she was out there because some ranking officer made her bring the property of guys who are about to go to the Death House out right before they’re about to be loaded into the Van. I figured she stayed because some policy prevents movement between secured areas around that time.When Crazy Mike was taken he had no property to take with him to the Death House. I think there are about 400 staff members on this unit. About 15 officers go out to the Death Van when it comes for people; all of them are required to be there. Property Officer Smith was the only officer on this unit who went out to the Death Van on Crazy Mike’s execution date voluntarily. And, indeed, she had that weird depraved glare in her eyes. I feel so sad for that poor woman. It is surely terrible to have such deep hate inside your heart.Peace,Rob
[Date written 12.18.09]
I need help with typing. Badly. People see my website and I believe they think that I have some massive support base. Sure there are plenty of people who theoretically support me in a sort of detached non-active manner.
There are only a few people who actively work with me on things. One person runs my website, MySpace and Facebook. This same person does the typing for all of my updates. Yes, one person, does all of this by herself. It’s really just plain and simply wrong that she should have to do all this solely or her own.
I’ve always had a very hard time with asking people for help with things. Reg’s execution kind of shocked me into getting over this complex though. I’ve been working on negating my Ego and reaching out to more people on the outside and asking them to show me some active solidarity.
Well, so here’s what I need: Someone — or 2 or 3 people actually — since it would spread out the work — who can help me with typing up my writings. I need people who type well and have a good grasp of the English language. People who are stable and can show me some serious dedication and solidarity.
Here’s how it will work: I’ll send my writings out in an envelope to a specific person. They’ll scan and email them to you. You type the writings up and double-check for typos and e-mail them back and they’ll be posted.
Right now I’m feeling very discouraged about writing. A few days ago I got in a bunch of typed copies of my writings that took forever to be sent and have a bunch of typos in them, none of which are mine. As I said, I only have one person who does almost everything for me so she doesn’t have the time to double-check everything and quickly return copies of typed writings to me. She shouldn’t have to do all of this all by herself.
I need help. We need help. If you think what I write is important and you are fully capable and willing to help please get back with me as soon as possible. Your active support and solidarity will be greatly appreciated!
With Strength and Love:Rob Will
[Date written: 12-26-09, Saturday]
