Voicemail (June 15, 2006)

I was taken aback by the notion that someone out there is tempted to think of the Dixie Chicks as a three-headed Anti-Coulter. Hearken back to the days of strong intimidation of nationalism and you will remember that everyone was scared, even Madonna. No doubt that they spoke their mind at the time, but when they had the chance to stand strong in their belief- they straddled the flag poll and got back in line like good little girls. I remember the Dixie Chicks’ apology to their nation, because they were afraid of disappointing tour revenue. Ann Coulter deserves a better antithesis. Someone with real labia. Not these corporate whores.

Professor Ghamari [“The U.S. and Iran: A Peaceful Way Forward”, 5/18] presents a simple solution to the Iranian predicament. I wonder why former Stanford Provost, fluent in 12 languages, possessor of an IQ of 170 something, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice hasn’t thought of it.

Actually, point number one is on the table, has been for a while, even with multilateral cooperation, etc., etc. Iran doesn’t seem to want to play though. Aside from a little conflict between the NPT [Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty] and full enrichment, perhaps Iran could move forward with this if they were really serious about the matter.

Points two and three could be combined, however, subbing Israel for the U.S. in a non-aggression pact with Iran. This would lower the temperature, obviously create resolution of much of the Middle East tension, and very possibly cause points four, five, and six to be moot. I would almost bet we’d be so happy about a pact between Israel and Iran, we’d forego any reparations about the embassy—we’ve had no relations with Iran for 27 years, obviously we have no need of them, and they no need of us.

This could even return the region to the Roadmap to peace. Wouldn’t that be swell?

It has been so humbling for me to receive the many cards and messages with kind words and promises of prayer support. Thanks. I have been pleased to receive books sent from bookstores, Amazon and/or other publishing companies.  I’ve enjoyed the reading and plan to donate the books to our religious/regular library. Anything will enhance our library offerings.

I have been here eight weeks, and my only strip search was April 11 when I self-reported to the prison. What a blessing!  Three years ago when I was here for two months for federal trespassing at the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn. During those eight weeks, I suffered the indignity of strip searches six times—most often after visits. This is one change I am rejoicing about and hope I can say the same at the end of six months.

Some days this prison seems draped with the kudzu of anger and hostility. On other days the spirit of love that makes the world go round seems to prevail. In most situations laughter seems to be the best antidote from getting dizzy and a smile is the greatest gift one can give or receive.

One evening a group of prison sisters put on a “play.” It was a series of vignettes dealing with ordinary situations of people made poor. Ordinary topics of church, court, visits by social workers, hospital, paternity case, etc., were handled with great creativity and humor.  The acting and improvised props were marvelous. For an hour and a half we laughed almost constantly. There were some very creative impersonations and songs about some of the guards—they like to be called officers but they are really guarding the Bureau of Prisons human inventory.

I am so mindful that during May and June I am missing lots of committee meetings as the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance (OREPA) prepares for the annual Hiroshima event scheduled for August 5, 2006. This event takes place at the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Y-12 is the last full scale bomb production plant in the country. As part of the Stockpile Stewardship program, Y-12 is refurbishing bombs so they will be “certified reliable” for 100-120 years. This means that right now we are building bombs for the 22nd century and we are only six years into the 21st century.  We are not working for peace! What does this mean for the future of our children and grandchildren?

I invite you—no urge you—to check your calendar and seriously consider becoming an active part of the Hiroshima event in Oak Ridge on August 5. Check the website www.stopthebombs.org for details. If you can’t attend perhaps you can consider financial support for the activities. I know better than to ask the Bureau of Prisons for a furlough to attend but I will be there in spirit.

Sometimes I think this prison experience can be likened to a personal growth program for me. Each day there are so many opportunities to grow in the practice of patience. It seems like I am forever biting my tongue so that I will not snap back at someone for something said or done. I once lived with a sister who was always reminding us to “Save our breath to cool our soup.” Well, in the short time I’ve been here, I think I have saved enough breath to cool barrels of soup. I pray for the open mind and heart to listen to the Spirit in knowing when to speak and act and when to let go.

Don’t worry; my letting go is not turning me into a wimp. Last Thursday when we were serving lunch the supervising guard took a cookie and was eating it behind the serving line. I stepped over beside him and pointed to the sign on the wall just above his head “No eating or drinking behind the serving line.” He looked a bit sheepish but finished the cookie. Since the sign wasn’t addressed just to inmates, I figured everybody needed to follow it.

The May 22, 2006 issue of USA Today had an article by Donna Leinwand.  Nearly 2.2 million people—one in every 136 U.S. residents—were behind bars in 2005, the U.S. Justice Department reported. [Two of my friends, Shelley and Glenda, would be included in these statistics as they each spent 15 days in the Anderson County Jail in Tennessee in August 2005.]  The number of people in the nation’s prisons and jails grew 2.6% from June 2004 to June 2005, the Bureau of Justice Statistics said.  Women now account for 20.2% of the jail population, up from 12.7% a decade ago, and 7% of all federal and state prisoners, up from 6.1%. “Crime rates have been going down for a decade now, so it’s somewhat disturbing that the prison population continues to rise,” said Marc Mauer, executive director of the Sentencing Project, a Washington, D.C.-based group that promotes alternative to prison. “Increasingly we’re filling our prisons with people who have committed non-violent drug and property crimes,” he said.

So many of the women here seem to be living in an envelope of heartache which is often intensified by mail and phone calls. I try to be alert to offer a caring presence and a listening heart in an effort to make a tiny crack in the seal of the envelope. I ask you to pray for the women here and for all prisoners everywhere.