Letters from the Inside, Thomas Bart Whitaker, #1

Whitaker was recently on Oprah. That is how I heard about him. Since watching him on the show and learning about his father's book about forgiving him for hiring someone to kill his whole family, I have researched him more & decided to write to him. He is currently on Death Row in Texas.

You may want to read about him so I suggest a quick Google for "Bart Whitaker."

To note, I never write supporting these inmates. I don't offer any opinions to them at all about their crimes and do not mention them. I write a very bland letter discussing general topics like the weather, current events, etc.

Also, he has a really well-written blog at: Minutes Before Six.

Here is his first letter to me:

Dear Miss K:

Thank you very much for your kind letter, which I received last night. It is always nice to receive positive correspondence, which acts as a sort of counterbalance to the missives from the Jesus freaks. I am afraid that I have developed some rather thick callouses in regards to this whole pen-pal thing, but your letter bypassed my normal aversions. I suppose the primary reason for this is that I've never really spoken with a "real" writer before, [ed.: I never told him I was a "writer." I merely said I had a column in a NY paper for a short period and enjoy blogging myself.] and only a fool passes up an opportunity to learn from the knowledgeable. I am a mewling, stinky infant in the world of writing, in other words. I think your card's photograph was actually rather endearing [ed.: I sent him a card in which I am wearing a black and white striped dress standing against a black and white striped wall.] Also shows you have a sense of humour, and I liked the metaphor. I, too, always seem to wear stripes at right angles to the world around me. Not sure if that was your intent, but I rather liked it.

Ah, Oprah, Oprah...a fat cow by any other name, etc., etc. The media and their descent into gross sensationalim is a rather sore topic for me, Kelly. One day, someone will address some of the real issues in my case, instead of reaching onlly for the low hanging fruit. Anyways, Columbia, huh? [ed.: I told him about my recent application process.] You must be quite brilliant, for that is not a place for those with normal intellects. Non-fiction is what interests you? What sort of themes would you prefer to write a book about? What do you do in Public Relations? I would, indeed, enjoy reading some of the articles you have wrtiten for the newspaper. That must be an incredible thing, to see your words given life like that. In a place like NYC, no less. I have been there on vacation, naturally. Tried not to be the annoying, gawking country yokel that seemed to infest all of the normal tourist magents. Went to some decent clubs, got stupid in that way all 20-somethings are knows for. Where in the City do you live? I hope the 20-questions routine does not offend you... I'm a curious person by nature. Just tell me to mind my own business if I cross a line.

You asked about my arm, and, alas, it is still royally f--ed, to use the appropriate medical terminology. I've badgered theminto a second operation, scheduled for sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. Maybe Igor et.al. will get it right this time. I am still looking for an attorney willing to help me sue these Republican wankers, but no luck so far. If there is some dealy in my future responses, it is due to this, and this alone.

Well, I never really know how far to go in these introductory letters. I hope this finds you well, and I want to thank you again for the kind words. That means more than I could ever put into words. Until next time.

Yours,

Thomas

***Another interesting thing to note is that a huge #3 was stamped on the envelope.

I will try to get this letter and Susan Smith's scanned as both of their handwriting is very distinctive.